CHAMBER NEWS
Chamber Lunch & Learn Series Wraps Up Successful First Year
Courtney Cole shares practical Facebook marketing strategies as quarterly educational program concludes its inaugural season.
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. — The Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and The Co-Op at Excelsior Springs concluded their inaugural year of quarterly Lunch & Learn programs on Thursday, October 15, with a presentation focused on helping small businesses make better use of Facebook.
Courtney Cole, digital marketing specialist with Morgansites/Joe’s Datacenter, presented “Beyond the Post: A Facebook Master Class for Small Business” at The Co-Op, located at 1650 Rainbow Boulevard.
“People are not on social media to be advertised to,” Cole told attendees, encouraging businesses to focus on building relationships rather than simply promoting products and services.
Cole introduced a strategy she calls “Sell, Serve, Show,” encouraging businesses to balance promotional messages with educational content and personal glimpses behind the scenes.
She also discussed the importance of planning social media content, using Facebook Groups to build community engagement, and incorporating artificial intelligence tools to simplify everyday marketing tasks.
“Facebook is just one tool in our toolbox,” Cole explained, emphasizing the importance of connecting social media efforts with a business’s website and broader marketing strategy.
The October presentation concluded a four-part educational series launched in January with Shauna Huntington, speaker, business strategist and entrepreneur.
In April, Joni Wickham, co-founder of Wickham James Strategies & Solutions, presented “The Top Five Marketing & Communications Tips You Need to Know.”
July’s program featured Chris McCabe, head men’s basketball coach at William Jewell College.
Throughout the year, the free programs provided opportunities for local business owners and community members to gain valuable insights, exchange ideas and strengthen professional connections. Lunch was provided at each session.
Building on the program’s successful first year, representatives of the Chamber and The Co-Op will meet in November to establish dates and recruit speakers for the 2027 Lunch & Learn series.