Federal Advocacy Efforts
Maintaining positive relationships with legislators representing Hays, Ellis County, and Western Kansas is important to The Chamber in Hays, Kansas as we work to shed a light on our growing economy and sought after way of life. Did you know that the Office of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and the Office of U.S. Congressman Tracey Mann participate as members of our chamber? We are proud to build and maintain positive relationships withour state's federal legislators.
Western Kansas Congressional Delegation (WKCD)
Each spring, chambers of commerce, economic development entitities, and city/county organizations from Hays/Ellis County, Great Bend/Barton County, Dodge City/Ford County, Garden City/Finney County, and Liberal/Seward County convene in Washington D.C. to promote commerce, economic development, and a variety of local projects with elected officials.
Delegates hear from our federal elected officials and/or their designees during an interactive briefing on topics like healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, water, transportation, energy, education, immigration. Our communities then engage in meetings with federal legislators and their staffers to provide powerful updates on each of our communities and seek support for ongoing iniatives.
2026 WKCD Hays/Ellis County Agenda
2026 WKCD Event & Attendee Program
The Chamber in Hays, Kansas is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. President/CEO Sarah Wasinger graduated from the U.S. Chamber's Institute for Organization Management (IOM) in June 2026. Vice President of Membership Leigh Purdy began her four-year IOM journey in June 2026. Currently, The Chamber in Hays, Kansas is also working on becoming accredited through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Fewer than three percent of chambers nationwide have that distinction.
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE)
The Chamber in Hays, Kansas has been a long-standing member of ACCE. This organization is the national organization the educates chamber professionals and supports benchmarking standards for chambers of commerce across the nation.
