WE CAN DO THAT is a rallying cry for the entire Topeka/Shawnee County Community, and it tells the world that they can do anything they set their minds to doing. It’s more than a tag line…it’s a core belief. It’s about big thinking, big ideas and big successes.

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka launched the campaign in national publications in Spring 2009 and it has since been integrated into every element of the organization's communications. In the highly competitive field of economic development, with literally thousands of competitors, it's essential to stand out with strong branding–and arresting visual images. Our goal was to differentiate the community as a place with prime location assets, strategic partnerships in place and a “can-do” approach to make big things happen for businesses who invest in the community. As a community with a progressive vision for growth, this message supports a movement from within the community to take action to make big things happen.

The response to Topeka Chamber/GO Topeka efforts in 2009 allows them to follow WE CAN DO THAT with WE DID THAT. Their can-do attitude and proactive approach to creating business-friendly community assets and communicating them effectively have earned them a record year of successes and the “Biggest Gainer” spot on the 2009 Milken Institute’s Best Performing Small Metros List, rising 69 positions to #37 out of 124 cities. Successes include 1,575 retained jobs, 463 new jobs, $352.25 million invested in economic growth. In addition, 1,065 entrepreneurs and professionals from within the community participated in educational workshops.

The campaign was shared with Topeka community who embraced the “WE CAN DO THAT” attitude and echoed the message in community vision meetings and press conferences announcing successes for Topeka. The community has unprecedented buy-in factor for the economic development success of the community as they implement a bold visioning plan.