Emporia Area Chamber & Visit Emporia

06/18/2026

HONORING EDUCATORS WHO MADE A LASTING IMPACT

We encourage you to join the National Teachers Hall of Fame on June 20 for two meaningful events on the campus of Emporia State University, celebrating the incredible legacy of educators across our nation.

REDEDICATION OF THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL TO FALLEN EDUCATORS
Visser Hall: 10 AM
This event includes a wreath-laying ceremony honoring K-12 educators who lost their lives in the line of duty. Two new granite stones will soon recognize additional educators whose names will now be memorialized.

2026 NATIONAL TEACHERS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION BANQUET
The celebration continues with a reception at 5:30 PM, followed by the 2026 Induction Banquet at 6 PM in Webb Hall at the Student Union. This year’s induction honors five outstanding career educators, as well as the National Education Association Education Support Professional of the Year.
Community members are invited to attend, and tickets are complimentary. Guests are welcome. There will also be a raffle during the evening festivities.

Please RSVP today and help celebrate the educators who continue to shape lives and communities across America.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM5uYFauhhWBDfxiIUvuOOFe6Z1UoO2wx8Dzc1vxKhxVfsMQ/viewform

06/17/2026

GET MORE VISIBILITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Being part of the Emporia Area Chamber helps put your business in front of more people through community events, online promotion, member spotlights, and local partnerships. It’s one more way to stay connected and stay top-of-mind in Emporia.
Join now: https://members.emporiakschamber.org/join

06/15/2026

IT’S ON TONIGHT!
We love promoting sports in our community. If you have not checked them out yet, how about taking in an Emporia FC game tonight? It will be a fierce showdown as Emporia FC takes on Union KC at Emporia Middle School Turf Field. Celebrate soccer as the biggest event in the world rolls into our area! Emporia FC vs. Union KC: June 15 | 7 P
https://emporiafc.com/

06/13/2026

Welcome to The Hot Seat 🔥- a new social series featuring our Chamber Ambassadors, the unsung heroes behind the Emporia Area Chamber. Our ambassadors are local professionals who help welcome new chamber members, support local businesses, and keep our community connected!
First up on The Hot Seat is Ambassador Karly Witte with Ameriprise Financial Services!

Q: Coffee or energy drink to start your day?
Karly: Diet Coke – All Day!

Q: Favorite way to spend a free Saturday?
Karly: Reading a book, playing with my kids, and having a cold drink on the patio.

Q: Favorite hidden local gem?
Karly: PAROC(Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center) at ESU. It’s such a cool area/building, and off the beaten path.

Q: What’s one thing always in your car?
Karly: Baby wipes

Q: Best local event or tradition, in your opinion?
Karly: I really love the energy both the Unbound Gravel and the Glass Blown Open bring to town. So many people working together and hosting these incredible events in our community brings me so much joy.

Q: If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
Karly: Carpentry. There are so many projects I’d get done at my house!

A big thanks to Karly for answering our questions and for her role as an Emporia Area Chamber Ambassador!

06/12/2026

A perfect day for the return of the ESU Athletics Golf Tournament! Not quite a sell out but next year, for sure. ESU coaches,Hornet athletes, the athletics department team and ESU mgmt teams all came out to support everyone playing in the event today! It was truly a Chamber of Commerce Day. Now our Chamber team? Average at best but a 10 on the good time scale.

06/11/2026

Join Us for Lunch & Learn!

On Wednesday, July 22, at Noon, the Emporia Area Chamber and Kansas Spanish Speakers invite you to learn how simple tools like Google Translate can help improve communication with customers and support business growth.
This event is open to the entire community, and lunch will be provided.

What: Lunch And Learn: Using Technology To Connect With More Customers
When: July 22, 2026, at Noon�
Where: Emporia Area Chamber, 719 Commercial St, Emporia, KS 66801

Registration is required. Reserve your spot here: https://members.emporiakschamber.org/ap/Events/Register/xRFR0QvTMCYC7?fbclid=IwY2xjawSXvH1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuVW1lQ1MwV0pYa3g2ZTlxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvnRtXtz0OkXsQBdKkGh5y_agMIehJhS2RRogBFSdsTQ3B-qz_Bpl6aaWei-_aem_3LJ0TpGQjvpE9HxXS1PTfg

06/11/2026

SAVE THE DATE FOR ANOTHER CHAMBER GRAND OPENING: BIG O TIRES!
Join the Emporia Area Chamber and community members a week from Saturday, as we celebrate the Grand Opening of Big O Tires in Emporia!

Details:
Saturday, June 20
11 AM to 2 PM with a special ribbon–cutting ceremony with the Emporia Area Chamber at Noon.
Big O Tires: 2026 West 6th Avenue
Guests can enjoy a fun afternoon featuring a food truck, bounce house, giveaways, and more.
Let’s welcome Big O Tires to the Emporia community and help celebrate their exciting new location. We look forward to seeing you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1257315612902233

06/10/2026

SUPPORT THE ARTS IN EMPORIA

At the Emporia Area Chamber, we believe strong communities are built by supporting local business, education, the arts, and the organizations that make Emporia unique. Our arts community plays an important role in creating the culture, creativity, and quality of life that help our community thrive.

We encourage you to support the Emporia Arts Council and experience Movement, a new exhibition by artist Deon Morrow, on display through June 27, 2026. The exhibition explores emotion, memory, and human connection through layered color and expressive movement, inviting visitors to reflect on the moments that shape our lives.

Learn more:
https://emporiaksarts.org/art-exhibits/

06/07/2026

ESU PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTS:
CABARET
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 7:30 PM

Roosevelt Hall E Ronald Q. Frederickson Theatre
Set in 1920s Berlin, this musical explores love, nightlife, and a society on the brink of change. Don't miss this powerful production. These kinds of events help develop our arts culture and attract newcomers to the Emporia area!

https://calendar.emporia.edu/event/cabaret

06/05/2026

EMPORIA FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK TONIGHT 5 PM – 8 PM
Emporia First Friday Art Walk is a monthly community event held in downtown Emporia that brings together art, culture, and local businesses for an evening of creative exploration.

On the first Friday of each month, participating downtown locations along Commercial Street and surrounding downtown areas transform into pop-up galleries featuring local and regional artists. Visitors can walk from venue to venue, view rotating exhibitions, and experience a variety of artistic styles in a relaxed, walkable setting.

This series is such a great event for all involved, including our Emporia area businesses.
Learn More:

See this month’s venues and artists at emporiafirstfriday.com. The Emporia First Friday Art Walk takes place in Downtown Emporia on the first Friday of every month from 5-9 pm. Enjoy Downtown Emporia while…