Chamber extends passport promotion, sets annual dinner date
News·Tuesday, July 14, 2026
The Weston Chamber of Commerce will extend its summer shopping promotion through mid-August, hold its annual dinner Aug. 13 at Holladay Distillery and update several administrative and marketing practices following decisions made at its July board meeting.
The annual dinner was postponed from its original date because of scheduling conflicts. Members agreed to form a committee to organize the event and update the chamber’s membership and merchant contact lists.
The board also agreed that the dinner should be open to the public rather than limited to chamber members. Members said the gathering could provide an opportunity for new residents, merchants and business owners to learn more about the organization.
Plans discussed included networking, annual financial and marketing reports and presentation of the GLOW Award. Ticket prices and other details had not been finalized at the time of the meeting.
The chamber will also extend its Around the World in Weston passport promotion through mid-August. The program encourages visitors to collect stamps while shopping at participating businesses and submit completed passports for prize drawings.
The board approved printing 200 additional passports to support the extension. Organizers said recent winners had made purchases at local businesses, supporting the program’s goal of encouraging spending throughout town.
Organizers also said participation and promotion have varied among merchants. They called for additional outreach to participating businesses and more publicity for the promotion’s winners.
The board approved using direct deposit and automated clearinghouse payments to compensate chamber employees. The change will replace the organization’s current mixture of checks and electronic payment methods.
The board also authorized related QuickBooks fees. The chamber may explore using direct deposit for contractors.
Financial reports showed the chamber had about $47,791 in its operating account, $26,667 in its tourism sales tax account and $15,036 in savings. The chamber received $5,791 as its portion of May tourism sales tax collections.
May tourism sales tax collections were about $586 below the same month last year. However, year-to-date collections remained about $4,930 ahead of 2025.
The board also reviewed financial results from the Roots Music Festival, which reported a surplus of about $4,200 despite tornado warnings, poor weather and lower ticket revenue than the previous year.
Organizers credited reduced expenses, community partnerships and a smaller performance schedule for the improved financial result. The festival featured 12 bands at six venues and sold out of event T-shirts.
Board members discussed seeking additional sponsorships and potentially reducing ticket prices to increase future attendance. No decision was made on admission prices.
Marketing officials reported that the chamber committed $7,500 toward a matching social media advertising program. The match will provide a total of $15,000 for Facebook and Instagram advertising through June 2027.
The chamber is also preparing an updated August-through-December community events calendar and will continue promoting chamber and non-chamber activities. Upcoming efforts include Apple Fest planning, military outreach at Fort Leavenworth and a video creation workshop scheduled for July 22 at the Whiskey Snug.
