Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce 2019 Annual Review

FORT ATKINSON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2 0 1 9 A N N UA L R E V I E W OUR MISSION:

To promote and maintain a strong business community in the Fort Atkinson area.

FORT CHAMBER LEADERS – Pictured above, from left to right, are the 2019 Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Officers. Seated: Tammy Garlock, Business & Tax Systems, LLC, treasurer; Mike Ehlers, mkCellular, vice president; Nova Jiongco, Crimson Salon & Spa, president-elect; John Payne, Nasco, director; Sally O’Brien, The Badger Group, director.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Highlighted 64 business anniversaries • Hosted 15 ribbon cuttings • Welcomed 11 new businesses • Launched Lemonade Day • Began filming Discover Wisconsin episode • Helped fund housing study

Standing: Mike Hamby, Green Bay Packaging, director; Chris Scherer, Red Square Audio, director; Carrie Chisholm, chamber executive director; Tom Dehnert, Badger Bank, past-president; Ryan Klopcic, The Fireside Dinner Theatre, president; Rochelle Mitchell, PremierBank, Ambassador president; Chris Martin, PremierBank, director. Not pictured: Dwight Heaney, Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation, director.

• Increased Facebook followers to 3200 • Provided live broadcast of candidate debates • Promoted Fort Atkinson/Jefferson County at Farm Technology Days • Project LEAD added shade structures to Fort Aquatic Center

2019 STATISTICS Budget: $228,933 Gift Certificates Sold: $250,000 Chamber Membership: 375 New Members: 46 Website Hits: 158,301

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M E M B E R A P P R E C I AT I O N

New Chamber Officers for 2019 were sworn in at the Chamber’s 120th Annual Dinner, as well as new directors Chris Scherer of Red Square Audio; Olivia Nelligan of Nasco; Dwight Heaney of the Fort HealthCare Foundation, and Rochelle Mitchell of PremierBank.

At the Chamber Annual Dinner, 2019 Chamber President Ryan Klopcic presented a Presidential Appreciation plaque to out-going 2018 Chamber President Tom Dehnert.

The prestigious Economic Contribution Award was presented to the Lumani/Beqiri Family at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner at The Fireside Dinner Theatre. Shown above: Senator Steve Nass presents a legislative citation to Bekim and Alberta Lumani.

The Chamber presented the Small Business Person of the Year Award to Eli Cloute, 3rd generation owner of Cloute, Inc. Shown above (L/R): Chamber President Ryan Klopcic, Eli Cloute, and State Senator Steve Nass.

Scott Lastusky was recognized with the Chamber’s Tourism Counts Award at the Fall Open House. Shown above (L/R): Megan Hartwick, daughter; Scott Lastusky; Sara Lastusky, wife.

The Chamber presented the Friend of the Chamber Award to Brandon Housley at the Fall Open House. Shown above(L/R) Projects Manager Kelly Westphal presents a gift of appreciation to Brandon Housley.

GROWING BUSINESS

In January, FCCU celebrated the completion of their south-side branch remodeling with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

In February, the chamber of commerce members and ambassadors conducted an official ribbon-cutting and plaque presentation at La Macarena Express, a family-based Mexican restaurant in downtown Fort Atkinson.

In July, chamber and city officials conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony and plaque presentation at La Cabana Mexican Grill to celebrate its grand opening.

In November, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Cricket Wireless, a non-contract, full-service wireless provider.

In January, the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed USA Karate, a healthy style activity business that engages kids and family members of all ages.

In March, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at BlueFire Arts studio, a communal space for group art activities and classes in the downtown area.

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In February, a multi-chamber ribbon cutting ceremony and open house was held at RiverStone Premier, formerly Central Coast, and now a new restaurant and event venue in Fort Atkinson.

In May, St. Vincent De Paul held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open its doors after an extensive interior remodeling.

In August, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the official opening of Feather Your Nest, a furniture consignment shop on South Main Street.

In October, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Rock River Wellness, a new downtown business that offers nutritional supplements and organic smoothies.

In November, Reena Senior Living snipped the ribbon on its new memory support center, offering customized care for those with cognitive challenges.

In December, Taco Bell held a re-grand opening after an extensive remodel.

FO RT ATK INSO N A RE A C H A MB E R

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C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S A N D T H A N K YO U

5 YEARS

20 YEARS

Jefferson County Cancer Coalition

Paddy’s Paws

Heart of the City

Outsource Solutions

Wilson Chiropractic & Wellness

10 YEARS

LSM Chiropractic

Longwalk Media Epic Real Estate Group, LLC

Jazzy Photo

Paddy Coughlins Pub

The Victorian of Cambridge

25 YEARS

Home Backup Systems

15 YEARS

Logo Works

Armstrong Heating & Cooling

Gallery on the Main

Loeder BP

ME MB E R MI LE STO NE A NNIVE R S A R I E S FOR INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY 30 YEARS

FAYSA

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35 YEARS

Subway-Janesville Avenue and Madison Avenue

Nitardy Funeral Homes

40 YEARS

Ball Corp

Lion’s QuickMart

Lamp Post Inn Bed & Breakfast

RateWatch

35 YEARS

Power Tire & Auto Center

Friends of Dwight Foster Public Library

Fort Tax Service

Fort Family Dental

JM Carpets

Wood Design Inc.

Humphrey Floral & Gift

Double Three Transportation

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­2 0 1 9 C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E M E M B E R S H I P 3 7 5 S T R O N G

2 Rivers Bicycle and Outdoor A+ Environmental, Inc. Abendroth Water Conditioning AC Business Media Act 4 Him Advanced Disposal Advanced Pain Management Aflac Rick Sauter AGK Accounting, LLC Alden Estates of Jefferson, Inc. All One Health & Happiness LLC American Association of University Women American Awards & Promotions LLC American Cable & Harness American Legion Post 166 American Wholesale Furniture Animal Clinic of Fort Atkinson Armstrong Heating & Cooling Arneson Impressions Custom Screen Printing Atkinson Maintenance, LLC Aurora Health Care Badger Bank Badger Basement Systems, Inc. Badger Group, The Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) Baker Glass, LLC Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Ball Corporation Beauty & the Bean Behling, Jasper & Selberg, LLC Bell, Robert M./H.D. Vest Financial Services Bender, Kind & Stafford DDS Bergey Jewelry & Archery Bethany Lutheran Church Bienfang’s Bar Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Wisconsin Bigelow Auction Service Black Hawk Senior Residence Blodgett Garden Center BlueFire Arts BMC Business Advocates, LLC Bos Design Builders, LLC Boy Scouts of America Glacier’s Edge Council Brandon Housley with Artisan Graham Real Estate Brickhouse Pizzeria & Pub Brockmann Financial Services Brock’s River Walk Tavern and Grill Brown & Weber Insurance Services, LLC Brown Cab Service, Inc. Buchta Appraisal Company Builders FirstSource Business & Tax Systems, LLC Busy Barns Adventure Farm LLC Butch’s High Lite Auto Body Cafe Carpe Capputan Cardinal Financial

“GREAT COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT BY PEOPLE WHO CARE”

Care Wisconsin Carla’s Catering Casey’s General Stores, Inc. Cash Store CBF Investments, LLC CCE Building & Remodeling Century 21 Affiliated City of Fort Atkinson CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP) Cloute Inc. Computers Nationwide Connect Techs LLC Converdict Cornerstone of Hope Country Inn and Suites Country Wood Floors Courtyard Inn & Suites

The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce is growing its own future members! Shown (L/R): Executive Director Carrie Chisholm with grandchild Audrey; Projects Manager Kelley Westphal with daughter Penelope; Fort Community Foundation Administrator Sue Hartwick with grandchild Davis; Office Manager Melissa Medina with son Edgar; and Farmer Market Manager Alisha Bade. Not pictured: Tourism Manager Katelyn Carey.

Creamery 201 Creative Landscapes, Inc. Cricket Wireless / UW inc Crimson Salon & Spa Crown of Life Christian Academy Culver’s Restaurant Custom Creative, LLC Daily Jefferson County Union Day Insurance Design Alliance Architects, Inc. Double Three Transportation Doyle’s Dogs Dunkin’ Donuts Dunlap Memorial Home Dunsmoor Doors Duntley Water Works Eby Family Dental Edge Broadband Edgerton Reporter Edward Jones/Bruce Waller - Financial Adviser Edward Jones/Chris Nevermann - Financial Adviser Edward Jones/Julie Nachtigal- Financial Advisor Edwin Frohmader VFW Post & Auxiliary 1879

Electronic Technologies International, Inc. Enbridge Energy Partners Epic Real Estate Group, LLC eTree LLC Evergreen Studio Faith Community Church FCCU - Fort Community Credit Union Feather Your Nest Feed and Grain Felton Electric Festival Foods FFA Alumni Financial Impact Advisors Fireside Dinner Theatre First Congregational Church UCC First United Methodist Church Fit-U Fixmer Agency Flying Cow Pizza Focal Point Coaching & Training FOCUS Coworking Fort 88 Smokehouse Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Fort Atkinson Club/Rock River Heritage Inc. Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Fort Atkinson Community Theatre - FACT Fort Atkinson Food Pantry Fort Atkinson Generals Baseball Fort Atkinson Glass & Mirror Fort Atkinson Lions Club Fort Atkinson Music Boosters Association Fort Atkinson Preschool & Childcare Fort Atkinson Swim Team (FAST) Fort Atkinson Wisconservation Club Fort Atkinson Wrestling Club Fort Atkinson Youth Soccer Association (FAYSA) Fort Car Wash Fort Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Fort Family Dental Fort HealthCare Fort HealthCare Business Health Fort HealthCare Center for Women’s Health Fort HealthCare Dermatology Fort HealthCare Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists Fort HealthCare Integrated Family Care Fort HealthCare Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Fort HealthCare Orthopedic Associates Fort HealthCare Surgical Associates Fort HealthCare Therapy & Sport Center Fort HealthCare Urology Associates Fort Lock Company Fort Real Estate Company, LLC Fort Tax Service, Inc. Fort Transportation & Service Co. Inc. Friends of Dwight Foster Public Library Friends of Haumerson’s Pond Inc. Frostie Freeze Gallery on the Main, LLC

Gel Nails Generac Power Systems God Touch Ministry Good Time Music Service Goodwill Industries of South Central Wisc Goyer Ace Hardware Grace United Church Great Clips Green Bay Packaging - Wisconsin Packaging Division.

Griffin Ford Lincoln Harold’s Muffler & Auto Care Inc. Haskins Short & Brindley LLC Hausz Brothers, Inc. Heart of the City Highland Dental Health Hippychick Penny’s Soaps & Body Care Hoard Historical Museum Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Home Backup Systems Homes for Independent Living Hometown Pharmacy HOPPE North America, Inc. Humane Society of Jefferson County Humphrey Floral & Gift I Clean For You LLC INDECO Interior Design Company IPEC Island Bar & Grill Jazzy Photo JB Construction of WI LLC Jefferson County Cancer Coalition Jefferson County Fair Park Jefferson County Literacy Council, Inc. Jeff’s Guitar Clinic Jellystone Park of Fort Atkinson Jim’s Key Shop JM Carpets Johnson & Sons Paving Johnson Financial Group Jonas Office Products, LTD Jones Dairy Farm Jones Market K & F Auto Sales and Service, LLC Kees Chiropractic Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, Inc. Kiwanis Club of Fort Atkinson Klement Towing & Recovery LLC Koshkonong Mounds Country Club Kramer Enterprises Krueger Jeweler Kwik Trip La Cabana Mexican Grill 2 La Macarena Express Lake Country Heating & Cooling Lakeside Painting, Inc. Lamar Advertising Lamp Post Inn Bed & Breakfast

Lemke Fence of Jefferson, Inc. Life Church, The Lions Quick Mart Loeder BP Logo-Works, Inc. LongWalk Media, LLC Lori Jensen & Becker Realtors LSM Chiropractic Lucky B Auto Body Lueder Electric, LLC Luke W. Walsh, CPA Maas Brothers Construction Maass Refrigeration Service, LLC Madeline Rome Photography LLC Madison Area Technical College Fort Atkinson Mangiami Italiano Margraf Collection Agency, Inc. Mary Kay Beauty Consultant/Mary Beth Klietz Mary Kay Beauty Consultant/Tami Cloute MasterDrive, Inc. Meridian Midwest Masonry LLC Midwest Steel Carports, Inc Mike Foerster Real Estate Group LLC Milford Hills MK Cellular, U.S. Cellular Authorized Agent Mountain Man Guns Mr. Brews Taphouse MSI General Corp Nasco Nasco Retail Store National Niemann Pick Disease Foundation Nesbitt, Arthur W. Nitardy Funeral Homes Nomadic Norland at Swissray NorthFit Creamery Northwestern Mutual-Carla Haubenschild Oakhill Studios LLC Opportunities, Inc. Optimist Club of Fort Atkinson Orchard View Adult Family Home OSI Fort Atkinson Ott Schweitzer Distributing, Inc. Outsource Solutions, LLC Paddy Coughlins Pub Paddy’s Paws Papa Murphy’s Parents Cooperative Preschool Patterson Builders Pellatt Design/Remodeling and Repair PGW Small Engine Repair/Sales LLC Pick ‘n Save Porubcans LLC Powers Tire & Auto Center Poyer Orchards Farm Market PremierBank Presidential Limousine Service

R&H Services, Inc. Rabl’s Pinequilizer Christmas Trees Race Day Events Rainbow Hospice Care, Inc. Randy Schopen Foundation RateWatch Re/Max Preferred Ready Electric, Inc. Red Square Audio Reena Senior Living, Fort Atkinson Remedy Shown (L/R): Kaity Intelligent Schmear, Associate FarmStaffing ers Market Manager; and Riedl and Son Kaitlin Myren-Celkis, FarmSiding, LLC ers Market Manager.

Riverfront Cafe River’s Edge Meat Market & Catering RiverStone Premier Event Center RM Small Engine Repair, LLC Robert W. Baird Co., Inc. Robin’s Nest Styling Salons Rock River Animal Clinic Rock River Bait Box Rock River Dental Rock River Lanes/King Pin Adventure Golf Rock River Wellness Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson Rural Insurance/Chad Wiedenhoeft Agency Ryan Ebert LLC Ry-Mak Services LLC S K Windows & Doors, LLC Salamone’s Pizza, Inc. Salty Earth Pictures, Inc. Sammy’s Place Sarahndipity Salon LLC School District of Fort Atkinson Scott Spoerl Agency/Farmers Insurance Senior Health Insurance Connections Sherwin Williams Shopko Optical Sienna Crest Assisted Living Soulful Toad Soups On Southgate Gutter Service Spacesaver Corporation Sport and Spine Clinic of Fort Atkinson SSM Dean Health Plan SSM Health Dean Medical Group St. John’s Community Church St. Joseph’s Catholic Church & School St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School St. Peter’s Episcopal Church St. Vincent de Paul Store Stagecoach Inn State Farm Insurance

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Steffen’s Cherry Orchard Stop-N-Go Convenience Center Stroupe Insurance Studio 8 Subway - Janesville Avenue Subway - Madison Avenue Suds-Delisious LLC Sunset Bar & Grill Taco Bell Tailor Made Sewing Studio, LLC TallGuy Productions, Inc. TenPin Motors Terra Staffing Services The Deal The Unity Project The Victorian of Cambridge The View at Johnson Creek Thrivent Financial/Michael Stade TJK Wolf Productions Tomorrows Hope Inc. Top Promotions TopCon/Digi-Star, LLC TPF Outdoors LLC Tuttle’s Hallmark Shop Two Pistols Trading Post and Antique Mall United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties Unity Health Insurance Corporation/Quartz Health Solutions USA Karate UW Health Fort Atkinson UW Health Specialty Clinic - Fort Atkinson and Watertown UW-Whitewater Career & Leadership Development Vance Law Office, S.C. Verlo Mattress Factory Stores Visiting Angels Vogue Hair Designers W & A Distribution Services, Inc. W. D. Hoard & Sons Co. W. Phil Niemeyer Walgreens - Fort Atkinson Wayne Hayes Real Estate, LLC WFAW/WSJY/WKCH Radio Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Whitewater University Technology Park Wilson Chiropractic & Wellness Winn, Joel Wisconsin Distributing of Sun Prairie Wisconsin Indoor Advertising Wisconsin Skydiving Center Witte Design and Consulting Wood Design Inc. World Finance Corporation Yerges Van Liners, Inc. Young Auditorium - UW-Whitewater *New Members in BOLD

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FO RT ATK INSO N A RE A C H A MB E R 45 YEARS

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S A N D T H A N K YO U 60 YEARS

65 YEARS

Blodgett Garden Center Bender Kind & Stafford DDS

50 YEARS

80 YEARS Krueger Jewelry

70 YEARS

Yerges Moving & Storage

Fort PreSchool & Childcare

55 YEARS Hausz Brothers, Inc.

FA Historical Society

85 YEARS

The Fireside Dinner Theatre

Wisconservation Club

ME MB E R MI LE STO NE A NNIVE R S A R I E S FOR INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY 110 YEARS

Johnson Financial Group

OSI Fort Atkinson

115 YEARS

Big Brothers Big Sisters South Central WI

130 YEARS

Jones Dairy Farm

135 YEARS

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church & School

Badger Bank

160 YEARS

180 YEARS

School District of Fort Atkinson

First United Methodist Church

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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

LEMONADE DAY – On May 4, the chamber partnered with Fort Community Credit Union to pilot Lemonade Day; a well-established youth entrepreneurship program that teaches children the necessary leadership and business skills to launch their own lemonade business.

PROJECT LEAD, an acronym for Leadership Enhancement for Area Development, is a ninemonth community leadership-development program sponsored by the chamber. Its goal is to prepare participants for public leadership roles. The 2019 Project LEAD group raised funds to install two shade-sails, a shade umbrella, lounge chairs and permanent games for the Fort Atkinson Aquatic Center.

REALITY FAIR – On May 29, the Fort Atkinson 8th grade students participated in the 12th Annual Reality Fair at the Fort Atkinson Middle School. The goal of the program is to provide students an understanding of financial decision making and prioritizing needs over wants.

Manufacturing Month – In October, to celebrate Manufacturing Month, the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce, hosted its 2nd year of the “Coolest Thing Made in Fort” competition.

The contestants were: Jones Dairy Farm with its breakfast meats, Ball Corporation and their 100 percent recyclable aluminum cans, and the winner, Spacesaver Corporation’s mobile GROW systems.

HOUSING STUDY – The Fort Atkinson Chamber and Fort Community Foundation supported Baker Tilly Virchow Krause of Madison to conduct a housing market assessment for the city to assist in attracting and retaining talent to the area.

EXIT INTERVIEWS – On May 22, the Senior Portfolio Exit Interviews were conducted at the Fort Atkinson High School and chamber members volunteered their time to talk with the graduating seniors about their career plans.

FBLA PROGRAM – The Chamber provided member speakers with expertise in marketing, banking, credit, and ethics, who volunteered to work with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at the Fort Atkinson Middle School.

NEW TEACHER WELCOME – On August 21, the chamber and Nasco co-sponsored the annual New Teacher Welcome. The Fort Atkinson and parochial schools’ new teachers and administrators were provided a breakfast, an information session, and welcome gift bags filled with many donated items from chamber businesses.

2019 EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS CHAMBER GOLF OUTING – The 28th Annual Chamber Golf Outing was held at Koshkonong Mounds Country Club on June 27th where 34 teams participated and raised funds for the chamber’s economic development and membership efforts.

CLAY SHOOT – To engage even more members, the chamber hosted a fall clay shoot at Milford Hills, where participants enjoyed getting to know one another on the course and over lunch.

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RHYTHM ON THE RIVER – The Chamber hosted the 17th Annual Rhythm on the River on August 24th. The theme was “Fort’s Rockin’ Rewind” to showcase local rock bands that started in Fort Atkinson: Altar Boy Picnic, Wade Root and the Flashback & Apex. Local business mascots joined the festivities as well, taking photos and interacting with the crowd.

RIVERWALK PLAZA TREE LIGHTING, coordinated by the Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee and members of the 2018 Project LEAD class, with donations from several businesses and organizations.

THE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AND MARKET, held annually the first Saturday of December, promotes shopping local and featured 35 retail red box locations and seven indoor market host sites. Shoppers enjoyed instore specials, treats, strolling carolers, trolley rides and more. Over 70 farmer market vendors provided holiday crafts and homemade goods. Shoppers entered the Holiday Red Box drawings at participating merchants for a chance to win the Giant Gift Box and chamber gift certificates. Purchases made at the participating stores supported the 2019 Merchants Making a Difference recipient; Trudy’s Room.

HOLIDAY PARADE – The 24th Annual Holiday Parade kicked off the holiday season on November 9 as sixty units made their way down Main Street while spectators enjoyed music and holiday lights. Following the parade, the United Way held their annual Chili Cook-Off at the Municipal Building.

CANDIDATE FORUM – Area residents were invited to meet the city council and school board candidates via Facebook Live, through a candidate forum hosted by the chamber.

RETAIL PHOTO FRAMES - Participating retail members took turns hosting a photo frame where shoppers could capture their unique finds. While holding the frame and promoting #shopfortfirst each Facebook upload entered shoppers into a chamber gift certificate drawing. The promotion went from October 1-November 30, leading into the holiday season.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS, held quarterly and hosted by chamber member businesses, provide the perfect opportunity for members to network in a casual setting. 2019 participating businesses included The Creamery Building; 3rd Floor, Fort 88 Smokehouse, Rock River Park, where members competed in a bag toss tournament; and RiverStone Premier Event Center.

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GROWING BUSINESS

In July, a multi-chamber ribbon cutting was held for the new American Awards showroom in Milton.

In October, SSM Dean Health cut the ribbon on their newly-expanded clinic, now housing a prescription center and new specialty services.

In October, chamber members cut the ribbon on new course bathrooms at Koshkonong Mounds Country Club.

F O R T TO U R I S M I N ACT I O N ...

The Fort Tourism Department helped promote the Fort Atkinson Lions Club’s 33rd annual TOUR DE FORT bike ride on August 18th. Riders were given the option of distances to ride; 16, 32, and 63 miles. Cyclists were invited to the Lions’ traditional chicken and corn roast at Jones Park after the ride.

FORT FARMERS MARKET celebrated its 17th year providing homegrown fruits, vegetables, baked goods, honey, flowers, and arts and crafts in downtown Fort Atkinson during the summer months.

The Fort Tourism Department helped tourism-related businesses reach larger markets with a co-op marketing program that included billboards, radio, Facebook, Wisconsin Indoor Advertising, and internet promotions.

The Fort Tourism Department initiated a three-year process of filming a DISCOVER WISCONSIN episode. Airing in May 2020, the episode will feature the many recreational and entertainment options in the community.

The Fort Tourism Department helped promote the 26th Annual FORT KOSHKONONG RENDEZVOUS on May 24 & 25. This year’s focus was Boats of the Fur Trade and featured replicas of canoes used during that era.