Wisconsin Chamber Professional Digest
May,
2017
Chamber initiative: Young
professionals to showcase city of Portage
Portage is
about to find out what happens when a group of young professionals get together
in an effort to showcase their city.
“Launch
Portage” beginning Tuesday will offer a week of community events as part of
Young Professionals Week (YPWeek) Wisconsin, a statewide initiative. Launch
Portage, recently created by the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce, currently
involves 10 young professionals from the city whose ultimate goal is to “create
a culture of community involvement in Portage,” the Chamber’s executive
director, Marianne Hanson, said.
The kick-off
event, “Blitz the VFW,” will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Portage Veterans of
Foreign Wars and will feature Portage native Jamie Baerstch, the first female
brewmaster in Wisconsin, who will speak about the path she took to her
profession. Attendees can sample three different beers Baerstch has developed
at Wisconsin Dells Brewing Company. Tickets to the event are $15, available in
the Chamber office or at the door on the day of the event.
“Blitz” will
also feature food samples from local businesses, prizes and live music.
The second
event is a community cleanup project at Sunset Park and the boat launch area on
the Wisconsin River, which will take place at 5 p.m. Wednesday. People of all
ages are encouraged to help clean up the area. Daily Register
Progress: Chamber of Manitowoc
County celebrated 100 years in 2016
The Chamber of Manitowoc County proudly celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2016. The success of The Chamber of Manitowoc County can truly be attributed to the outstanding business community we represent and our very active membership.
Here are some new and exciting programs we introduced in 2016:
In partnership with Lakeshore Community Foundation, Sheboygan
County Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties,
we were able to secure a grant from Kohler Co. to offer a Non-Profit Board
Education Training Session, which assisted more than 30 non-profit agencies in
Manitowoc and Two Rivers. Topics included Sustainability, Strategic Planning,
Financial Health, Fundraising and a roundtable discussion among non-profit
leaders. This event was monumental in crossing our county line and uniting the
county organizations through education.
Our “Business Minute Video” has been a huge hit with our members
and our social media network. Each month, we send our staff over to a member
business and do a short “no pressure” interview. The business owner/managers
highlight an upcoming event, products available, services offered or a general
overview of their business. This is streamed live on Facebook and takes
approximately 10 minutes from start to finish. The success of the videos can be
measured by the 22,000 views they’ve had since the videos’ inception.
The first weekend in April turned out to be a great weekend for
businesses participating in the first-ever “Restaurant weekEND.” Delicious
specials were offered for lunch and dinner, giving both visitors and community
members a reminder of the wonderful variety of restaurants we have right here
in Manitowoc County. This event will definitely be repeated in 2017 as we
continue to support the importance of “Keeping it Local.” Read more: Herald Times Reporter
Greater Madison Chamber interest: Old National
Bank Donating $45,000 to WI non-profits
Old
National Bank is sponsoring a $45,000 cash giveaway to benefit local nonprofit
organizations. The winners will be chosen by the community. This promotion is
only available at Old National banking centers in Wisconsin or online at www.oldnational.com/chooseyourcharity.
How it Works
$1,000 will be given to the charitable organization receiving the
most votes at each participating banking center. There are 45 banking center
locations in Wisconsin. Winners must be non-profit organizations with a
501(c)(3) legal tax exemption status. The winning charities will be announced
the week of June 12, 2017.
How to Vote
The event runs April 3 – May 12, 2017. Community members must cast
their votes in person at any Old National Bank location in Wisconsin or online.
Voters must be 18 years or older and may only vote once per day.
“Giving back to the community is at the heart of all we do at Old
National,” said Len Devaisher, Wisconsin Region CEO. “The Choose Your Charity
Giveaway provides a mechanism to support many local organizations within the
Greater Wisconsin community and is just one way we put our values into action.
Besides providing financial support, Old National associates provided more than
100,000 hours of volunteer service to more than 2,000 community organizations
in 2016. Every associate is provided paid time off to volunteer in the
community and we taught financial education programs that reached over 17,000
people last year.”
About Old National
Old National Bancorp (NASDAQ: ONB), the holding company of Old
National Bank, is the largest financial services holding company headquartered
in Indiana. With $14.9 billion in assets, it ranks among the top 100 banking
companies in the U.S. Since its founding in Evansville in 1834, Old National
Bank has focused on community banking by building long-term, highly valued
partnerships with clients. Today, Old National’s footprint includes Indiana,
Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin. In addition to providing extensive services
in retail and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth
management, investments and brokerage services. For more information and
financial data, please visit Investor Relations at oldnational.com. Source: Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Tom Still: Amplify Oshkosh: Wisconsin experiences growth in tech
jobs
Most people don’t think of
Oshkosh as the next Silicon Valley. As part of Wisconsin’s Fox Valley, however,
it has become a regional technology hub — and an example of the tech industry’s
growing influence on the larger state economy.
Speaking to the Wisconsin
Technology Council’s board of directors Tuesday, members of Amplify Oshkosh — a
program of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce — noted there are thousands of
information technology jobs spread across northeast Wisconsin and predicted
there will be an appetite for thousands more.
In fact, northeast Wisconsin
must fill 12,000-plus tech jobs by 2020, the group forecast, within sectors
such as IT and software, advanced manufacturing and the aerospace industry.
It’s a story being repeated
across Wisconsin as state businesses compete for talent in an economy that is
becoming more tech-based by the day. A recent national report explained how
tech is increasingly driving traditional sectors such as agriculture,
manufacturing and tourism while slowly building an impressive standing of its
own.
The 2017 “Cyberstates” report
from CompTIA, the nation’s largest leading tech association, showed Wisconsin
breaking the 100,000-job barrier in 2016 for the first time. The report, which
draws upon a mix of public and private data, counted 101,542 state tech workers
last year compared with 97,633 in 2015.
First, let’s define what
constitutes a tech worker: Cyberstates counts them in two major ways. It
includes all jobs within companies that are primarily tech businesses, as well
as technology specialists found in other fields — including agriculture,
manufacturing and tourism. Journal Sentinel
Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Resource Guide & Business Directory
The Muskego
Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Business Directory
is available at the Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you
to Krisann Durnford and the Chamber team for their help and direction
putting this together!
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson calls for fiscal discipline
at Milton tri-chamber event
U.S.
Senator Ron Johnson disparaged federal regulations and advocated for increased
local government control in a talk Friday at Milton City Hall.
The
Milton Area Chamber of Commerce, Forward Janesville and the Fort Atkinson
Chamber of Commerce hosted the joint question-and-answer session. The
invite-only event was limited to chamber members and local officials.
Prioritize
spending, eliminate wasteful regulations and decrease the size of the federal
government—that was the crux of Johnson's message to those in attendance.
Many
questions revolved around economic issues such as tax reform. Johnson called it
“tax simplification” because not all reform is positive, but he acknowledged
the process wouldn't be simple.
Most
politicians want to lower rates and broaden the tax base, but that doesn't work
because different interest groups are too entrenched, he said. Instead, Johnson
called for a “paradigm-shifting approach” that would avoid using the tax code
to enact social and economic reform. Read more: Gazette Extra
Betsy Alles, Sheboygan County
chamber director to retire in December
Betsy Alles, executive director of the Sheboygan County Chamber,
announced she plans to retire at the end of the year.
Alles arrived in Sheboygan in 2010. Her last day at the chamber
will be Friday, Dec. 29.
"This has been and will continue to be an amazing ride and I
am so grateful," Alles said in an email. "I knew when I accepted this
position that the potential was unlimited. I could hear it in the voices of our
members and I could sense it on my many forays out into this beautiful county.
Tapping that potential with you as a partner has brought me unbounded joy and
satisfaction."
"As the braggart-in-chief extolling the many virtues of the
lakeshore area, it’s been a huge privilege to witness the growth of this region
and the excitement that happens here every day in anticipation of the next
positive announcement," she said.
The chamber’s executive committee will launch a search for Alles'
replacement in May. Read more: Sheboygan Press
Applications
Now Being Accepted for Wisconsin Community and Economic Development Awards
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) along with award
partners; the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the Wisconsin
Counties Association, and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities are now
soliciting nominations for WEDA’s Community and Economic Development Awards,
which recognize businesses, organizations, individuals, projects or communities
that are making significant contributions that propel Wisconsin’s economy
forward.
Awards recipients will appear in media and publications statewide, and
recipients and will receive formal recognition at WEDA’s Community and Economic
Development Awards event Sept. 13 in Madison.
Awards will be given in six categories:
- Business
Retention and Expansion: Recognizing economic development initiatives that
focus on retaining and growing businesses within communities and regions.
- Human
Capital: Recognizing initiatives or programs are a vital part of a
successful economic development effort. These efforts utilize strategic
approaches to strengthening the skills of the workforce by the private
sectors; increasing and developing the pool of workers; enhancing the
skill sets of low-skilled and other disadvantaged workers and/or
integrating and aligning economic and workforce development activities by
building a comprehensive workforce system.
- Public-Private
Partnership: Recognizing an outstanding and innovative development project
that has significantly enhanced the economic revitalization of a specific
area or community.
- Economic
Development Initiative: Honors economic development initiatives that focus
on retaining and growing businesses within communities and regions.
- Economic
Driver: Recognizes a business that continues to investment with their
Wisconsin business operations, human capital, and communities over a
period of years.
- Real
Estate Redevelopment & Reuse: Recognizes innovative real estate
redevelopment or reuse projects that demonstrate measurable and
quantitative impact on employment and tax base.
Nominations are being accepted now through June 9. For nomination forms
and more information, visit www.weda.org/page/awards. Source: Fox Cities Regional Chamber
Forward Janesville keynote speaker:
One-on-one with Greg Hughes
Janesville native Greg Hughes was the special keynote speaker at
Forward Janesville's annual dinner Tuesday night. Hughes is the Senior Vice
President of Communications for NBC Sports.
The Craig High School and University of Wisconsin graduate shared
stories about his career. He spoke to more than 700 business owners at the
event.
"All these people get behind one thing which is to make this
area vital and working and prosperous. I'm honored to be a part of that. I keep
a close eye on my team and I'm a Packer fan too and so I have to mute myself
when we have a Packer game although everyone around me knows, oh he's with the
Packers. Whenever somebody asks me where I'm from i tell them Janesville,
Wisconsin. I lived in Atlanta for 25 years and now I'm in the northeast for 5
and a half years, but Janesville's home, " said Greg Hughes.
Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce:
Gateway Technical College Opens New Kenall Protective Training Center
Gateway Technical College opened its new Kenall Protective
Services Training Center on Friday, April 28, 2017. The center will provide a
state-of-the-art training site for Gateway’s law enforcement academy, as well
as professional and ongoing training for area law enforcement agencies. It
includes newly remodeled tactical training areas, added classrooms, a 12-lane shooting
range and a crime scene investigation lab.
Gateway Technical College named the Kenall Protective Services
Training Center in recognition of the Kenall company’s donation of $250,000 to
the Gateway Promise program. The center and other specific training sites will
also provide demonstrations of situation-appropriate lighting solutions.
Gateway Technical College collaborates with communities in
Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties to ensure economic growth and viability
by providing education, training, leadership and technological resources to
meet the challenging needs of students, employers and communities. Read
more: Kenosha Area Chamber
Chicago Fed: Index Points to
Increased Midwest Economic Growth in March
The Midwest
Economy Index (MEI) rose to +0.60 in March from +0.28 in February. All four
broad sectors of nonfarm business activity and all five Seventh Federal Reserve
District states made positive contributions to the MEI in March. The relative
MEI increased to +0.40 in March from +0.23 in February. All four sectors and
four of the five states made positive contributions to the relative MEI in
March. Read more
Greater Beloit Chamber: Interested
in learning more about Dale Carnegie?
The Greater Beloit Chamber will host an introductory Dale Carnegie
Course Free Session on Wednesday May 1oth.
Look around you at successful business people, world leaders,
professional athletes and famous entertainers. You’ll find a disproportionately
high number of Dale Carnegie Course graduates. In fact, the Dale Carnegie
Course has transformed the lives of over 8 million graduates.
Who should attend: Employees at all levels in a corporation who
seek to maximize their performance, become stronger leaders and add more value
to to the organization.
Time: 8:30 – 10:00 AM Location: 635 Third Street, Beloit (IronTek)
Contact Jon Walrath @ 608-445-8580
or jon.walrath@dalecarnegie.com to RSVP.
Hartland Chamber: A chamber's role
in the community
The Hartland Chamber of Commerce just wrapped up the 13th annual
Lake Country Community Fest this past weekend. With 150 vendors in attendance
and hundreds upon hundreds of visitors, it was another successful event — one
of several that the chamber does throughout the course of the year that bring
thousands into Hartland.
So, just what does a chamber of commerce mean to a community?
Looking at Wikipedia, the definition states that, “A chamber of
commerce is a form of business network, a local organization of businesses whose
goal is to further the interests of businesses.”
The Hartland Chamber is indeed a voluntary organization whose
members support each other. We then help develop and deepen local relationship
networks to promote business activity and business-to-business exchanges. At
the root of our mission, we provide programs that enable those businesses to
network, advertise, market and learn.
What isn’t included in that definition is the additional role that
the Hartland Chamber of Commerce plays — mainly, a resource that connects
business and community. Often this is accomplished through local events open to
the public and coordinated by the chamber. Have you ever been to the Hartland
Street Dance? The Chamber has been running this program for almost 40 years. Are
you the second or third generation to be attending the Business Trick or Treat?
The chamber has directed this affair for decades. Are you one of the thousands
who willingly stands out in a frigid Wisconsin evening awaiting the arrival of
the spectacularly lighted Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to help food pantries
accomplish their mission? The chamber is responsible for getting that
one-and-only stop in Waukesha County for the past nine years. Are you one of
the hundreds who have traveled to far-off destinations with the chamber in the
past few years? In fact, the chamber is leaving with a group to explore Iceland
this month, and we are already filling up our 2018 Danube River cruise.
In essence, a chamber can also act as a tourism arm in a
community, a role which the Hartland Chamber takes great pride in being a
partner of, along with other local organizations (Hartland Business Improvement
District, Village of Hartland, etc.), and grass roots groups (Hartland’s
Neighborhood Night Out, Kid Fest, Hartland’s Hometown Celebration, Hartland
Lights, etc.), which are doing Herculean things to highlight this community.
Read more: Lake County Now
Milton Tourism
grant totals $24,000
Four Milton non-profit organizations are banding together to host the second year of Wally’s Music Festival, a 1980s rock music festival. This year, they are getting help from a $24,286 Joint Effort Marketing Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. The Milton Area Chamber of Commerce, The Gathering Place, the Milton Historical Society and Milton FFA Alumni are once again hosting the "Big Hair" music festival, featuring a variety of ’80s rock bands as well as a wide selection of food and beverage vendors. Wally’s Music Festival will take place June 2-3 at Schilberg Park.
"This project clearly demonstrates that funding tourism marketing initiatives produces a sound return on investment for the local economy," said Gov. Scott Walker in a news release issued Monday. "Tourism is part of Wisconsin’s economic foundation and its continued growth is a priority for my administration because of the nearly 191,000 jobs it supports, the tax revenues it generates, and the positive image it projects for the State."
Wally’s Music Festival showcases variety of musical talent, including a tribute to Prince and Band Camp, which teaches kids how to perform live in front of Wally’s Music Festival fans. The festival is expected to attract approximately 3,000 visitors, generating an estimated $177,000 in visitor spending in Milton and the surrounding areas. Grant funds will go toward online, print, radio and television advertising efforts to help expand marketing to the Milwaukee and Chicago markets.
"We’re excited to support the growth of this fun and creative event," said Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett. "Wally’s Music Festival give music fans, especially ’80s rock music lovers, the opportunity to explore Milton and the surrounding community, all while creating a positive economic impact for the area. Read more: HNG NEWS
Note from the U.S. Chamber:
Celebrate Small Biz Week by Dreaming BIG!
Help us celebrate small business.
In recognition of National Small Business Week, we encourage you
to register for a chance to win $25,000 dollars!
Take a moment to apply or to recognize the standout small
businesses in your community by nominating one or more for the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award.
How does it work?
A business must meet the following requirements to be eligible for
the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award:
Operates primarily within the United States
Have less than 250 employees
Gross revenues of less than $20 million in 2015 and 2016
Provide support (in-kind and/or financial) to their community
Must be able to attend the Small Business Summit in Washington,
D.C. from September 10-13.
Apply now!
Nomination is not required for award consideration, but all
eligible small businesses must complete the application form by May 31.
Small businesses can also be considered for a Business Achievement Award. The top judges’ scoring entry in each of these six new
categories will be selected as the final winner.
The $25,000 Prize!
The 2017 Small Business of the Year award winner will receive
national recognition and a $25,000 cash prize! The Small Business of the Year
Award and Business Achievement Award winners will be honored at the Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. on September 12, 2017.
Sincerely,
The Small Business Series Team, U.S. Chamber
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation: (Vision)
"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free" - Michaelangelo
The Ellsworth Area Chamber of
Commerce welcomes visitors to enjoy a true Wisconsin classic at the 16th annual
Cheese Curd Festival
The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes visitors to enjoy
a true Wisconsin classic at the 16th annual Cheese Curd Festival with help from
a $25,900 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant from the Wisconsin Department of
Tourism.
Taking place in the "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin,"
the festival honors the popularity of Wisconsin cheese, with a focus on the
cheese curd. Attendees can enjoy deep fried curds and signature dipping sauces,
cheese curd-influenced cuisine, a cheese curd eating contest and more. The festival
is set to take place June 23-24.
"This project clearly demonstrates that funding tourism
marketing initiatives produces a sound return on investment for the local
economy," Gov. Scott Walker said. "Tourism is part of Wisconsin's
economic foundation and its continued growth is a priority for my
administration because of the nearly 191,000 jobs it supports, the tax revenues
it generates and the positive image it projects for the State."
In addition to cheese curds, the Cheese Curd Festival will also
feature regional craft beer, hard cider, wine and street-food specialties. Over
the span of two days, fest-goers will be able to enjoy musical performances,
participate in a 5K and 10K run and take part in a classic car cruise-in and
show. The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce aims to double the number of
festival attendees from 1,500 to 3,000 with help from JEM grant funds. The
event is expected to generate an estimated $134,000 in visitor spending in the
area.
"For nearly two decades, the Cheese Curd Festival has
celebrated the area's important role in the state's cheesemaking history and
built on its brand as 'Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin'," said Tourism
Secretary Stephanie Klett. "This event gives visitors an opportunity to
experience Ellsworth and our agricultural heritage while creating a positive
economic impact." Read more: Pierce County Herald
WMC
presents: Wisconsin Business Voice
Wisconsin Business Voice is Wisconsin’s only
statewide business-focused publication. Designed to help you do business
better, this quarterly magazine now reaches more than 18,000 business leaders
and chambers of commerce across the Badger State.
In this edition:
- Main Street,
Wisconsin
From Shrinking Populations to Internet Dead-Zones, What’s Next for Rural Wisconsin? - Wisconsin Should
Target Illinois Workers
- Metallic Mining Jobs
Dead on Arrival
- Fab Labs are Changing
the Face of Education
An Answer to the Workforce Shortage? - U.S. Political
Revolution Started in Wisconsin
- Business Day in
Madison
LIVE from Business Day, CNBC Highlights Manufacturing
Top Five Daily Postings in the last month at Midwest Chamber of Commerce
Daily News – click to go there or Google search “Midwest Chamber of Commerce
Daily News”
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Mar 30, 2017
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Apr 17, 2017
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172
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Feb 23, 2017
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Mar 1, 2017
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162
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Feb 22, 2017
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161
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Last
Month’s Stories
Aimee Thurner Picked to
Head Greater Beloit Chamber
Beloit Daily News
Chamber interest: West-central Wisconsin passenger rail backers
press ahead Leader-Telegram
Town
Square Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in
Wisconsin
Town Square Publications, a
division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom
publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing
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value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce
and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues
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Town Square Publications
parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print
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Cambridge Area Chamber host: Location
scouting in Wisconsin WMTV News
Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business
Association exploring building shelter at Lance Park West of the I
If you would like
delivery of a chamber directory, community profile or map in December, 2017,
please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Best,
John Dussman
John Dussman | Chamber Manager
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Helping chambers reach strategic goals through the
development and execution of chamber directories, maps, smart marketing and
social media tools.
Chamber Executive Daily
News: www.midwestchamberofcommerce.blogspot.com
Do you have a story idea?
If you have a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the Chamber Executive Indiana Intelligence Report or the Midwest Chamber of Commerce Daily News blog (above), please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com with subject line: Chamber Executive Wisconsin Intelligence Report or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
If you have a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the Chamber Executive Indiana Intelligence Report or the Midwest Chamber of Commerce Daily News blog (above), please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com with subject line: Chamber Executive Wisconsin Intelligence Report or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
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