June 2024 Better Together Newsletter Update

In This Issue

Summer fun in Sheboygan County!

June 2024

From The Desk Of The CEO

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” - Coretta Scott King Summer is officially upon us, and we are thrilled for sunshine, beach days and an influx of tourism. In the coming weeks we will welcome tons of guests visiting our area, patronizing our businesses, and enjoying our wonderful communities. Are you ready? With so many things to do, sometimes it is hard to choose. From volleyball and kayaking to charter fishing, biking, and world class golf courses, Sheboygan County truly offers something for everyone!

Deidre Martinez

At the chamber we are busy preparing for college interns and co-ops to join us throughout June and July. We want to help them experience all that Sheboygan County has to offer as well, and have been busy creating experiences, meet-and-greets, and opportunities to be immersed in our local culture. Our goal is to help them fall in love with Sheboygan County and consider making it their permanent home upon their graduation. Providing a wonderful experience in our community involves all of you as well. Thank you to our many partners that have worked with us to develop this program, as well as everyone who helps us welcome newcomers with open arms. We could not be successful without all of you.

We are in full swing of accepting leadership and junior leadership applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. Developing leaders is the best way for continued growth in Sheboygan County for many years to come. It is our way of setting our community up for success while preparing our next generation of leadership to take charge. Are you interested in participating in leadership? Or do you have a junior or senior in high school that you feel would be a

Out to Breakfast w/ Deidre Martinez

Vene’s Pancake House

June 12 | 7:30 AM - 9:00AM

June 7 | 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Ribbon Cutting Wallace Law

June 12 | 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Ribbon Cutting & vibe@5 Kelmann Restoration

June 13 | 4:30PM - 7:00PM Maximize Your Membership

June 26 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Roundtable Meetings: June 6 | 7:30 AM - Safety Roundtable

June 11 | 7:30 AM - HR Managers

great fit? Limited space is available, and applications are coming in fast. Be sure to submit yours today!

Lastly, a friendly reminder to get out and enjoy this time of year! Our summers are far too short to not get out and enjoy some of it. Eat delicious food, buy new clothes and enjoy a show! Don’t miss out on all that Sheboygan County has to offer.

We want you to Think B.I.G. (betterment, improvement growth), and Influence Local! The Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing expertise for fostering dynamic organizations throughout Sheboygan County. We are truly Better Together!

Ellie Meyers - Director of Events

Get Ready for a Sizzling Summer of Events with the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce!

As temperatures start to rise, so does the excitement for our summer events here at the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce. It’s the perfect time to step out, embrace the warmth, and show your support for our local businesses. We’ve lined up a fantastic array of events for you to enjoy, starting with:

• Ribbon Cuttings: Join us in celebrating the grand openings of new businesses in our community.

• Vibe@5: Kick back and network with fellow members at our laid-back evening gatherings.

• Out to Breakfast with Deidre: Start your day right with insightful discussions shared over breakfast with Deidre Martinez.

For a full list of our summer happenings, including the above, be sure to check out our Events Calendar on the Chamber website regularly. We keep it updated with the latest event information, so you won’t miss out on any of the fun.

New to the area? Join Us for a Newcomer Networking Event: July 18

If you have recently relocated to Sheboygan County within the last two years, please join us for an event tailored just for you at the Newcomer Event on July 18 at 3 Sheep’s. Moving to a new area can bring both challenges and opportunities, and we’re here to help you navigate and connect with your new community.

Save the Date: Workforce Development Symposium: August 21

Mark your calendars for the Workforce Development Symposium on August 21 at Pine Hills Country Club. This event will be a wonderful place for both the education sector and business sector to collaborate on developing Sheboygan’s future workforce and retaining

Ellie Meyers

that workforce, while gaining a better understanding of different perspectives and potential partnerships in our community.

Sponsorships have been created to assist our education partners in attending. To help support this initiative and sponsor a group of educators for the Workforce Development Symposium reach out to me at ellie@sheboygan.org.

Nominate Outstanding Contributors for the 2024 Workforce Development Symposium Education Awards

Do you know an individual educator or business making exceptional contributions to workforce development education in Sheboygan County? We’re now accepting nominations for the 2024 Workforce Development Symposium Education Awards. We’re recognizing excellence in two categories:

• Workforce Development Educator of the Year – Sheboygan County

• Workforce Development Business Education Partner of the Year - Sheboygan County

To nominate a deserving candidate, please fill out a nomination form Tee Off at the Annual Golf Outing: August 28

Get your clubs ready for a day of fun and networking at the Annual Golf Outing on August 28 at Town and Country. Golfer registration opens on June 3, so mark your calendars! Don’t miss out – this event sells out fast!

And for businesses looking to maximize exposure, golf outing sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Have questions about our upcoming events or want to get involved? Feel free to reach out – I’m here to help.

Looking forward to seeing you at our Chamber Events!

Warm regards, Ellie

Kierra Brooks - Special Events Coordinator

Hello everyone!

Summer has finally arrived, and with it, our summer intern/coop program is about to begin. As of June 5th, it’s not too late to enroll interns or co-ops who would like to immerse themselves in Sheboygan County. Don’t miss this opportunity to get them involved!

Kierra Brooks

In May, we celebrated YP Month with a variety of engaging activities. But the fun and learning doesn’t end there! Our programming continues year-round, so be sure to check out our calendar and follow us on social media to stay updated on this month’s events. We hope to see both new and familiar faces at our events!

Lastly, I’d like to mention that both our leadership programs wrapped up with graduations held in May. It was a wonderful year for both, especially our Junior Leadership program, which kicked off for the first time and saw a great turnout. While our programs are currently at capacity for next year, we encourage everyone to think ahead and consider inviting someone for the following year. This is an incredible opportunity for all students, regardless of their academic standing.

We strive to make this program inclusive by eliminating barriers such as fees and transportation. If you know a student in 11th or 12th grade who would benefit from learning outside the traditional classroom setting please encourage them to sign up.

Additionally, our leadership program is beneficial for adults in the area who are looking to gain or sharpen leadership skills and learn more about what Sheboygan County has to offer. This employer-sponsored program pays you to participate, making it essentially a monthly field trip.

We look forward to filling the class again this year. Sign up today to secure your spot!

Hope everyone has an amazing month and a fantastic start to the summer!

Kristin Bahr - BID Member Services

Director

Hello and welcome to summer! As the warm weather graces Sheboygan’s lakefront and Harbor Centre BID businesses, excitement fills the air. We extend a warm invitation to you, your family, and friends to join the Harbor Centre BID at the 8th Streatery. This unique dining experience is a celebration of our local community and runs from June 11th through August 13th.

Look no further than downtown Sheboygan on 8th and Pennsylvania Streets! Every Tuesday evening, 8th Street undergoes a magical transformation into a vibrant al fresco eatery. Here, you’ll find some of the city’s favorite restaurants showcasing their culinary delights, accompanied by local musicians serenading the evening.

Indulge in a diverse array of delicious cuisines while immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere of this beloved summer tradition. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, the 8th Streatery offers the perfect opportunity to soak up the local culture and experience the heart of Sheboygan.

And here’s the schedule of bands performing:

• June 11th: Foocoustics

• June 18th: Lil Rev

• June 25th: The Belle Weather

• July 2nd: Cathy Grier

• July 9th: Doc Moc

• July 16th: Hanna Simone

• July 23rd: Nick Dittmeier & the Saw Dusters

• July 30th: Erin Krebs

• August 6th: Natural Satellite

• August 13th: Cathy Grier

Mark your calendars and join us for these unforgettable evenings of food, music, and community spirit at the 8th Streatery!

Visit www.harborcentre.com to stay up to date with Harbor Centre BID events in Sheboygan’s Downtown, Riverfront and South Pier areas.

Kristin Bahr

Anna Toman - Director Of Membership Development

Hi Friends!

The most obvious change in Sheboygan County in the last month has been the weather. We’ve swiftly transitioned to embracing all things outdoors! Here at the chamber office, our conversations quickly shifted to gardening, planning vacations, and enjoying the outdoors in our beautiful county.

Speaking of warmer weather, mark your calendars for June 3rd, when we kick off GOLFER REGISTRATION for our Annual Golf Outing! This year it will be held at the Town & Country Golf Course. Although I only golf about once a year, you better believe I’m excited for this event! Perhaps, I’m excited because I’ve been speaking with some of our sponsors and have been amazed by their creativity for their Hole or Cart Sponsorship. If you haven’t yet considered this unique opportunity; we still have a few Sponsorship levels available. Call me or go to this link, it is going to be so much fun!:

Sponsorships for ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF OUTING 2024 - Aug 28, 2024 - The Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce

Since the end of April, our membership has grown! Join me in welcoming our new members:

• B.E.S.T. Pest Control Services (www.bestpestkillerservice.com)

• Sheboygan County Cycling Club (www.sheboygancountycycling.org)

• M3 Insurance (www.m3ins.com)

• CESA 6 Youth Apprenticeship (www.yawisconsin.org)

• Fowler St. Clair Attorneys (www.fowlerstclair.com)

• Allstate Insurance, Jerry Bodart Agency ( jbodart@allstate.com)

• The Sheboygan Collective (www.thesheboygancollective.com)

• J Galt Consulting (tvanzeeland@jgalt.consulting)

• Ampersand Supply Co. (www.ampersandsupplyco.com)

We are so excited that you decided to join and be BETTER TOGETHER!

Anna Toman

John Rogers - Business Roundtables

Facilitator

If you are reading this, you are likely a member of the Sheboygan County Chamber. Thanks for being a member! For the past few years, our tagline, ‘Better Together’, has resonated well, and I use it often because it is effective. Your membership is enhanced when you participate in the various offerings provided by the Chamber, such as the Vibe@5 events, the Deep Dive groups and, of course, the peer-to-peer roundtables. You can find more information about these offerings on our website [ www.sheboygan.org ]. If you haven’t visited our website recently. I encourage you to do so. Also, do you receive our weekly updates through The Buzz? If not, make sure to register and stay informed!

One of the most popular roundtables is for Sales & Marketing Professionals. This roundtable meets on the first Monday of even-numbered months [FEB/APR/JUN/AUG/OCT/ DEC] so if you missed the session on June 3, the next one will be on August 5. A popular discussion topic is, “How can I increase awareness of my business in the community?” During these sessions, your peers will make valuable suggestions such as wearing logo shirts and/or name tags when attending Chamber events.

Another effective method of generating awareness is through press releases. Is your business expanding, do you have new people on your staff, or did you promote a key staff member? If so, have you considered sending out a press release to local publications to share the news? For me, local means Sheboygan, Sheboygan County and the New North. Many local publications are still printed on paper and they often will include press releases to help fill space.

Personally, I always look through the pictures in these publications to see if any Chamber member businesses have news to share. A topic frequently discussed at the Sales & Marketing roundtable is The Business News. I suggest you check out https://thebusinessnews.com to learn more. Then, if you have news others should know about, don’t hesitate to write a press release and distribute it! Consider both traditional print media and digital news platforms. . Additionally, if you need assistance with writing a press release, some Chamber members have expertise in this area. Feel free to reach out to john@sheboygan.org, and let’s collaborate to be ‘better together’.

John Rogers