The Lawrence chamber of commerce, located at 734 Vt., has developed strong ties to the community, including partnerships with city government and Kansas University. The Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau recently moved out of the chamber offices, so officials hung a KU banner where the CVB sign used to be.

A new year for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce also brought some new changes.

Among them:

¢ A new dues structure, designed to allow members to pay for desired levels of service, programs and participation.

¢ A new emphasis on education for members, especially regarding the benefits of so-called “green” business practices, developments and construction methods.

¢ A new organizational structure, one without the Convention & Visitors Bureau that departed to became part of a stand-alone agency known as Destination Management Inc.

The chamber’s new chairman for the year, Jim Otten, couldn’t be more jazzed about getting to work addressing members’ desires and the community’s needs.

It all comes with a new approach, one driven by finding ways to encourage businesses to expand, locating new ones to come to town and otherwise boosting the community’s ability to thrive in an always-competitive marketplace.

“More of our focus is now on economic development and enhancing the business environment,” said Otten, a Lawrence dentist. “This helps us to focus on the things we do best, really.”

The dues structure is only the beginning.

These days, instead of chamber-member businesses or individuals paying a flat rate based upon an occupation, company size or market segment, dues are being calculated based upon member needs.

A member can choose to pay more to be included in a variety of event sponsorships, or secure attendance at a number of chamber functions, or to connect with the organization in other ways.

The one-size-fits-all approach no longer fits at the chamber, the city’s largest business organization.

“It’s been very well-received,” Otten said, noting that the “vast majority” of chamber members support the changes. “They see the value of the services that they are getting. They can choose the level of participation, and knowing what level that they are getting. :

“A significant number have opted to increase their dues to participate at higher levels, and we’re encouraged by that.”

Among new chamber programs gaining notice is the Grow Green Committee, tasked with focusing on how to grow “green” businesses and educate the business community on what that means.

Especially important is the economic potential chamber leaders see in promoting a green approach for businesses of all kinds, Otten said. With environmental awareness already high in the overall community, chamber officials figure that the business community can build on that enthusiasm and provide positive results for everyone involved: from satisfied customers to a cleaner environment to more opportunities for people to work in town.

“It’s going to really attract businesses that have a penchant for environmental sensitivity to our area,” Otten said. “It also will attract customers to businesses that have environmental awareness as well.”

Destination Management Inc., built with leaders and employees of the former Convention & Visitors Bureau, continues to work on attracting visitors and their tourism dollars to come to Lawrence.

But now the effort has expanded, with Destination Management charged with leading efforts for the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, a collection of 41 counties in Kansas and Missouri with stories to tell ranging from before the Civil War to the issues of today.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau long had been a part of the chamber operation, and its leaders and employees were on the payroll and in the offices at 734 Vt.

But now they’ve moved out, leaving behind noticeable changes that go beyond the Kansas University basketball banner that has replaced “CVB” on a chamber logo gracing a wall in the lobby.

Change happens, Otten said, and the chamber is building strength from the move.

“Overall, the Destination Management piece will be very advantageous, in terms of developing the national heritage area,” Otten said. “We’ve just been focusing on supporting that effort, for tourism and the cultural pieces that enhance the community for conventions and tourism.”