Wichita Welcomes Greater Mankato InterCity Leadership Visit

Wichita’s reputation for its skilled regional manufacturing workforce has drawn the attention of Mankato, Minnesota, whose leaders traveled to the Air Capital this week for their Greater Mankato InterCity Leadership Visit.

Much like the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual City to City Leadership Visit, Mankato’s program is designed to exchange ideas and identify strategies that can strengthen their regional economy.

Wichita was selected with a focus on Greater Mankato’s “Transforming Tomorrow Together” regional plan and its “Talent Hub” pillar which emphasizes attracting developing and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce.

Over the course of three days the Mankato delegation will visit Wichita’s key destinations for talent and innovation including the Greater Wichita Partnership, WSU Tech, Wichita State University and the Smart Factory by Deloitte. Participants will hear directly from local leaders such as Wichita Regional Chamber President John Rolfe, City Manager Robert Layton and Mayor Lily Wu gaining insight into Wichita’s approach to public private partnerships, downtown development, education alignment and quality of place initiatives.

“This is a big moment for Wichita. It shows that other cities are watching and recognizing the progress we’re making as a community,” said John Rolfe, President and CEO of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The strategies we’re putting in place to grow talent, strengthen business and enhance quality of place are working and serving as a model for others across the country.”

Why It Matters for Wichita

The Greater Mankato visit underscores Wichita’s growing influence as a model of regional transformation. Hosting delegations like this one elevates the region’s profile and opens doors for future economic investment.

Just last month the Chamber led local leaders to Detroit to study how that region is addressing challenges in housing, workforce and inclusive development. Just as the Chamber’s delegation brought back ideas to advance Wichita’s strategic priorities the Mankato group will take lessons from Wichita home to shape their own future.