Business Casual

Hotel at WaterWalk has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, which honors top-rated accommodation businesses, restaurants and attractions, as reviewed by people on the travel website.

Also, Hotel at WaterWalk is ranked No. 1 in Wichita and the state of Kansas on the TripAdvisor site, according to a news release from the hotel.

To qualify for the certificate, businesses must maintain an average rating of 4 or higher out of a possible 5, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include volume of reviews and how recently the reviews were submitted. The recognition is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Hotel at WaterWalk has the only rating of 5 in Wichita, according to the news release.

“We strive to offer our guests a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveler reviews on TripAdvisor,” Steve Butcher, asset manager for the hotel, said in the release.

The Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Aug. 8. The event is to celebrate the anticipated opening of a new housing community, The Garden at Wichita Place, 3242 S Wichita St. The complex is scheduled to start receiving new residents within the next week.

Board member Beth Hogan will preside over the event, and the public is invited to attend.

Small businesses looking to do business with bigger companies as vendors, suppliers or subcontractors are invited to participate in an Aug. 14 event.

The Wichita district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration is organizing the event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Wichita State University Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th Street North.

According to a news release from the SBA, the event is intended to help businesses find contract opportunities. It will “provide a forum for corporate and governmental buyers to meet one-on-one with prospective suppliers, pre-matching buyer requirements with seller capabilities,” according to the release.

About 300 small businesses and approximately 60 buyers from government agencies and prime contractors are expected to participate. Purchasing representatives from Boeing, Spirit Aerosystems, Cessna Aircraft Company, Bombardier Learjet, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, McConnell Air Force Base, Fort Riley, GSA, NASA, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, the Coleman Company and Wichita Public Schools have agreed to participate.

The agenda also features a keynote address by Wichita native Phil Ruffin of The Ruffin Companies, an industry panel on advanced manufacturing, and breakout sessions on topics such as government contracting, exporting and the Affordable Care Act.

To learn more about the event and to register, visit http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1110255 or call 316-264-5982.  Space is limited so early registration is highly recommended.

Mustang Brewing Company is bringing its beer line to Wichita.
Started 3 years ago by Tim Schoelen, Mustang Brewing Company is now Oklahoma’s largest craft-brewing company, according to a news release from the company.
Its beer line, including Washita Wheat, will now be available in Wichita, as well as Oklahoma and Arkansas. Schoelen said the company plans to add three more states by year’s end.
According to the news release, representatives of the company will be in Wichita this weekend for tasting events.
Jacob Liquor, 3049 N. Rock Road, will host the Friday sampling, and JT’s Liquor, 3700 N. Woodlawn Street, will host the Saturday sampling. For more information, go to Mustang Brewing Company’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MustangBrewingCompany.

Intrust Bank Arena ranks 31^st in a list of U.S. concert venues compiled by Pollstar, a trade magazine for the concert industry.

The ranking, according to a news release from Intrust Bank Arena’s management company, reflects ticket sales through the first six months of 2012.

“We’re thrilled to consistently rank among the top venues worldwide,” said SMG general manager AJ Boleski. “The community continues to support our events, and we look forward to announcing the remainder of our line-up for the second half of 2012.”

According to the news release, the arena hosted 10 of Pollstar’s top 100 tours: Brad Paisley, WWE, George Strait, Winter Jam, Jeff Dunham, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Barry Manilow and Nickelback.

Alco Stores Inc. announced today that it is launching an e-commerce store to serve shoppers.

The venture will include more than 10,000 items, according to a news release from the company, which has its headquarters in Abilene.

The online store’s merchandise at ALCOstores.com adds to products available at Alco’s 216 stores, which operate in 23 states.
The company said in its release that products offered on ALCOstores.com include video games and electronics, housewares, sporting goods, appliances and furniture, as well as office supplies and other goods.