We hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend and enjoyed every bit of summer fun—from the County Fair to backyard barbecues! Now, as we step into September, we’re shifting gears into an exciting season filled with fresh opportunities, new beginnings, and plenty of Chamber connections.
Deidre Martinez
We closed out August with a highlight: the Annual Sheboygan County Chamber Golf Outing at Quit Qui Oc. What a day! Perfect weather, great company, and a little friendly competition made it one for the books. From laughter on the greens to prizes at the clubhouse, it was a fantastic reminder of what makes our community strong—people coming together. A huge thankyou goes to our Ambassadors and Sponsors who made the day possible. Your investment fuels more than just an event; it strengthens the future of Sheboygan County.
September: Chamber of Commerce Month ��
This month is extra special—it’s Chamber of Commerce Month across Wisconsin! Here in Sheboygan County, we’re taking time to celebrate YOU—our members—and the collective success we’ve built together. Our calendar is packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Whether it’s a networking mixer, professional development session, or leadership roundtable, there’s something for everyone. Visit sheboygan.org to explore the lineup and be sure to register early. Let’s keep building stronger relationships and a stronger community together.
Investing in the Future Workforce
As August wrapped up, we hosted our Workforce Development Symposium, bringing together educators and employers from across Sheboygan County. Through panels, updates, and
Leadership 101
Sheboygan County Chamber
September 23| 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Maximize Your Membership
Sheboygan County Chamber
September 24 | 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
vibe@5
Distinctive Design Studio
September 25 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Crucial Conversations
Sheboygan County Chamber
September 30 & October 1 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
collaborative problem-solving, we focused on equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills and support they need to thrive beyond high school or college. It was inspiring to see so many partners working side by side to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities.
As Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
What’s Coming This Fall ��
The crisp air and colorful leaves aren’t the only things to look forward to this fall!
• OktoberFeast 2025 – Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 9th at Pigeon River Hills! This is the largest fundraiser of the year hosted by our Young Professionals Network and the Chamber. Guests will enjoy Sheboygan County’s finest food and drink, plus plenty of chances to mingle, network, and celebrate together. Don’t wait—tickets go fast!
From golf outings to symposiums to food-filled fundraisers, fall is shaping up to be one of our most exciting seasons yet. Thank you for being an active part of the Chamber community—your energy and involvement make all the difference.
Here’s to a season of growth, connection, and a little OktoberFeast fun along the way. Cheers to September! ��
We want you to Think BIG (betterment, improvement growth), 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!
John Rogers - Business Roundtables Facilitator
Evolution or natural selection?
Depending on the scenario, we could launch into a significant discussion about those topics. As a biology major in college, both topics were discussed, and I learned to carefully consider the topics from a wide variety John Rogers
of perspectives particularly when I went home and attended church. Evolution and natural selection for roundtables?
The roundtables began all the way back in 2007 with the Operation Managers roundtable, a technology transfer roundtable. Beginning with the first one, those who attended were so excited with what they were learning from their peers, we met 9 times within 12 months! Firms couldn’t wait to host, show off what they had but then get feedback on how to make some improvements. The wide variety of topics enabled the Operations Managers to take new lessons back to their ‘shop’ for improvements: packaging, machine diagnostics, a ‘waste’ for one can become a ‘raw material’ for another and more!
Operations Managers evolved into the Manufacturing Roundtable. A few recent topics included sustainability, cybersecurity, electricity generation and distribution and how corporate culture can help a manufacturer exist for well over 100 years. The next Manufacturing Roundtable is a ‘work in progress’ but will be announced soon with a focus on staff training.
The remaining 7 Chamber roundtables are more natural selection oriented because of the peerto-peer focus on staff position [HR managers or Safety manager] or the kind of business [profit or nonprofit]. The peer-to-peer roundtable process is based on a process originally designed for small to medium sized quickly growing private sector businesses whose leaders wanted someone to share challenges with outside their organizations. But, we evolved it to be more diverse. Is there takeaway value? Here’s what one business owner said: “There’s great value in seeing that I’m not the only one with a problem and my reasoning is very similar to other business owners.”
Another testimonial provided these comments “I really appreciated the HR Roundtable and can't wait to join the next one. The information shared was very helpful and encouraging for HR leaders that need an environment of support and insight. I believe that this will be a great opportunity for me to get to know the area's HR leaders and build stronger connections. I'm excited to collaborate, learn, and share experiences with such a knowledgeable group. The roundtable provided invaluable perspectives, and I’m looking forward to future discussions where we can continue to inspire each other and tackle the challenges we face in the HR world. Thank you again for organizing such a beneficial opportunity—see you at the next one.” Can you hop on to this evolution/natural selection process? Be sure you read The Buzz to
Upcoming Roundtables
Worksite Wellness: Wed. September 10 | 7:30 AM
Mid-Day: Wed. September 10 | 11:30 AM
Creative Professionals: Wed. September 24 | 12:00 PM
Anna Toman - Director Of Membership Development
Hello, Dear Members,
It was so wonderful to see your smiling faces at our Annual Golf Outing a few weeks ago. I want to thank all our Sponsors who supported the Chamber this year. Although I didn’t write this poem, I think it’s a fun way to demonstrate our gratitude, and remind our members of what a beautiful and celebratory day it really was...
The Chamber teed off, what a sight to behold, With swings both impressive…and some uncontrolled. Drives that went sideways, balls lost in the creek,
And a hole-in-one? (Well… not quite this week.)
Putters were stubborn, the bunkers were mean, Some golfers looked better off of the green. But laughter was plenty, the weather was grand, And networking thrived (with drink in one hand).
From mulligans taken to jokes at each hole, The outing was golf with a Chamberly soul. Then prizes were raffled, tall tales were shared, About “almost birdies” (we all know they’re rare).
And most of all sponsors, we thank you with cheer— You kept us in snacks and in cold, frosty beer! Your support made the day such a hole-in-one win, We can’t wait ‘til next year to do it again!
We can’t wait until next year to thank you with a cheer again! Speaking of cheering, welcome our new August members:
• ATI Physical Therapy
• The Automobile Gallery & Event Center, Green Bay
• Sheboygan Air & Space Recruiting Office
• Lebakkens Rent-to-Own
Did you know our Member-to-Member advertising got a facelift? We went digital, both for our ad agreement and the advertising. We started offering g advertising on our outdoor Digital sign. Your business receives 30 seconds of play on a four-minute loop- that's a lot of advertising for the same price as our e-blast ads. I’d love to answer your questions, or you can go to this link for more information: M2M - The Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce
See you soon, Sheboygan!
Anna Toman
Kristin Bahr - BID Member Services
Director
Harbor Centre Fall Events – Upcoming Highlights
As the season turns, Harbor Centre is pleased to share a number of exciting events taking place throughout our district. We invite you, your family, and friends to join us in celebrating community, culture, and local businesses.
River Fest returns to Sheboygan’s scenic Riverfront boardwalk with a full day of entertainment, food, and activities for all ages. Highlights include:
• Masters of the Universe Band | 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
• Randy Peterson’s Kids Show | 1:00 p.m.
• The Balloon Lady and Buffalo Joe Band | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
• The Buffalo Joe Band | 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Guests can also enjoy local vendor booths, a children’s activity area, food trucks, a fashion walk, and much more.
Sheboygan Film Festival
October 2–5 | Downtown Sheboygan
The Sheboygan Film Festival showcases Midwest, national, and international films and filmmakers. In addition to screenings, the festival features panels and opportunities to engage with the creative community. The full schedule will be announced on September 1. For details, please visit www.sheboyganfilmfest.com
Fall Wine Walk
Saturday, October 18 | Downtown, Riverfront & South Pier
This highly anticipated event invites participants to explore Harbor Centre as local businesses transform into welcoming wine-tasting destinations. Tickets will be available beginning September 18, and early purchase is encouraged as this event typically sells out quickly.
We look forward to welcoming you to these upcoming Harbor Centre events and thank you for your continued support of our Downtown, Riverfront, and South Pier communities.
Kristin Bahr
Mallory Black - Program Coordinator
Hello everyone!
Exciting things have fully launched in my world of Programs! The Adult and Junior Leadership Sheboygan County groups have officially begun with our initial orientations and first sessions. For the first session, both groups participated in SIMSOC which stands for “Simulated Society”. Throughout the day, the groups underwent a series of activities and challenges that allowed each participant to gain a wider perspective, team collaboration, and strategic planning. I was incredibly impressed with the level of engagement and teamwork that both groups demonstrated and am beyond excited for our upcoming sessions!
For the Young Professional’s group, we had our first gathering a few weeks ago and discussed several great ideas for the group moving forward. Our time of collaborative brainstorming truly set a refreshed tone for the upcoming gatherings and ways to enhance our interactions with each other and the community. I would love it if more Young Professionals from the area are able to join the group so we all can network in meaningful and engaging ways by further immersing ourselves in Sheboygan County!
With this, I invite all Young Professionals interested in learning more to join us at our upcoming gathering scheduled for Wednesday, September 10th at Luigi’s restaurant from 5pm-7pm. Another exciting YP event coming up is OktoberFeast scheduled for October 9th at Pigeon River Hills from 5:30pm-8pm. During this event, local chefs will be presenting some of their best dishes and sharing some yummy samples with all who attend!
If you plan to attend upcoming YP events or have any questions and ideas, please contact Mallory Black from the Chamber – mallory@sheboygan.org; 337.515.7364
Ellie Meyers - Director of Events
As we wrap up summer and welcome the crisp energy of fall, our calendar at the Sheboygan County Chamber is packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate all the amazing work happening across our business community.
Mark Your Calendars!
• Friday Forum – September 12 at Elks Lodge: Join us for valuable insights and conversations with community and business leaders over Lunch. This Friday Forum will feature speakers on Nonattainment Status Issues for businesses in Sheboygan County.
• Vibe@5 – September 25 at Distinctive Design Studio: Come network in style! Enjoy great company, refreshments, and the opportunity to connect with fellow
Ellie Meyers
Mallory Black
Chamber members in a relaxed, engaging atmosphere.
• Executive Series – October 7 at Pine Hills Country Club: We’re honored to welcome Dr. Ashok Rai of Prevea Health as our guest speaker. Dr. Rai will share his personal leadership journey, offering inspiration and perspective to both emerging and seasoned professionals.
• OktoberFeast – October 9 at Pigeon River Hills: A beloved fall tradition! Join us for delicious signature food samples from local restaurants and festive networking. This is one you won't want to miss.
• STEAMFest – October 14 at Lakeland University : Celebrating innovation and education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Great for professionals looking to do a STEAM demo for the future of our workforce.
Ribbon Cuttings – Celebrating Growth!
We’re thrilled to welcome and support new businesses and expansions in our community:
• September 11 – The Barns at Found
• September 16 – ATI Physical Therapy
• September 22 – Vesta
A Sincere Thank You
To everyone who participated in our Workforce Development Symposium and our Annual Golf Outing – thank you! Your engagement and enthusiasm are what make these events successful. It’s always inspiring to see our members come together.
As always, we’re here to support your connection to the Sheboygan County business community. I hope to see you at one (or more!) of these upcoming events. Let’s keep building momentum together!
Leah Bischoff - Transition Concierge Specialist
This year’s Career Fair is designed with purpose, offering resume and interview support, free professional headshots, and opportunities to connect in person with local hiring managers. It’s not just about finding a job; it’s about building pathways for growth and belonging. A moment to truly make your mark.
County-Wide Career Fair
Thursday, October 2, 2025
@ Blue Harbor Resort, Sheboygan
Event Schedule:
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Resume & Interview Tips, LinkedIn Support, Veteran & Military Resources (All are welcome!)
• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free Professional Headshots (T.A.T. Photography by Tess Alex)
With our local employers and community resources, there are plenty of ways to connect on October 2nd!
Job seekers register here
Employers register here
Additional questions? Reach out to Leah@sheboygan.org
Jamie Schramm - Director of Programs and Development
Our Chamber’s Fall 2025 Professional Development Series kicks off on Sept 23rd with the Leadership 101 Workshop here at our Chamber office from 8am-11am. Looking to broaden your leadership perspective? Register today!
Check out all of our offerings, with additional workshops in October and December…….Fall 2025 Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce Professional Development Series
If you and your organization are looking for specific or customized professional development opportunities, let’s talk! Feel free to reach out to me at jamie@sheboygan.org or 920-9123495.
Jamie Schramm
Liz Miyashiro - Director of Finance & Operations
One Login, Endless Opportunities: Explore the MIC
Your Chamber membership comes with more than networking and events—it also gives you access to the Member Information Center (MIC), a powerful online hub designed to help you stay connected, visible, and engaged.
Here are just a few ways you can use the MIC:
• Keep your information current. Update your business directory listing, representatives, and company details anytime. A complete, accurate profile means customers and fellow members can easily find you.
• Register for events. Browse the Chamber calendar, sign up with just a click, and even see who else will be there—making it easier to connect before you walk in the door.
• Share what’s new. Post company updates or announcements to the member news feed so other members can see what you’re up to.
• Post jobs. Hiring? Add your openings through the MIC and reach local talent through the Chamber’s job board.
• Submit RFPs. Looking for a vendor or service? Use the Request for Proposal tool to connect directly with other Chamber members who can help.
• Offer member-to-member deals. Create exclusive offers for fellow members to encourage business within our community.
• Access resources. From helpful documents to Chamber-only materials, the MIC is your go-to spot for members-only content.
Logging in regularly helps you make the most of your membership—whether it’s boosting your visibility, finding new business opportunities, or making connections. If you haven’t explored the MIC lately, now’s the perfect time to jump in and see all it has to offer.
Log in here: http://sheboygan.chambermaster.com/login
Liz Miyashiro
Better Together: Workforce Development Newsletter –September
by Anne Troka, Senior Manager — Community and Workforce Development, Sargento Foods
Building Bridges Between Business & Education
The Business Education Partnership (BEP) Committee had an exciting August as we hosted our very first BEP Roundtable! This new format gave employers, educators, and community leaders the chance to connect directly and share ideas to strengthen the pipeline between classrooms and careers.
Key Takeaways from the Roundtable
Our attendees provided thoughtful feedback and clear goals to guide our work moving forward:
• Boost Engagement – Increase employer and school administration participation in BEP efforts.
• Grow Youth Apprenticeships – Encourage more employers to offer opportunities and support businesses who are new to the program.
• Expand Career Exploration – Help educators connect students with local employers for hands-on learning and career awareness.
The conversation also spotlighted the importance of connecting educators with Inspire Wisconsin, a tool that helps students explore careers and engage with area employers. If you’re an educator interested in expanding career pathways for your students, reach out to Candice Boutelle at Inspire Wisconsin (cboutelle@inspiresheboygancounty.org).
Workforce Development Symposium: Tackling Big Challenges Together
Later in August, we brought business leaders, educators, community organizations, and state partners together for the Workforce Development Symposium. The energy was electric as we dove into challenges and opportunities shaping Sheboygan County’s future workforce.
Here are the Top 10 Focus Areas identified for collaborative problem-solving:
1. Transportation for students to access career-based learning experiences
2. Mental health supports for student success in school, work, and life
3. Closing the skills gap by aligning education with employer needs
4. Embracing generational diversity in the workplace
5. Navigating the role of AI in schools and workplaces to enhance efficiency, creativity, and collaboration
6. Encouraging student self-initiative, goal setting, and career planning
7. Increasing student focus, attention, and growth in both classrooms and careers
8. Building stronger connections, relationships, and mentorship between students and employers
9. Expanding Youth Apprenticeship opportunities
10. Equipping students (and future employees) with tools for crucial conversations and conflict management
Looking Ahead: Inspiring the Next Generation
The BEP is more than a committee—it’s a movement to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce. Together, we’re not only strengthening career pathways, but also sharpening our focus on talent attraction and retention in Sheboygan County. By problem-solving ways to reduce the skills gap, we lift up community members while helping employers fill vital roles across our region.
And speaking of preparing the future workforce… we’re gearing up for our annual STEAMFest on October 14th! Each year, we welcome nearly 1,500 4th and 5th grade students from across Sheboygan County for a day of exploration in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. This event gives students hands-on, age-appropriate opportunities to discover STEAM-related fields in an engaging and inspiring way. It’s one of the highlights of our year, and we can’t wait to see the excitement and curiosity it sparks in our youngest learners.
This is about creating a cycle of growth: supporting students, strengthening businesses, and building a thriving community for generations to come.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Roundtable and Symposium—and thank you in advance to the many partners who will help make STEAMFest 2025 another incredible success. Together, we’re building bridges between business and education that will make a lasting impact.
�� Get Involved: Business & Education Partnership (BEP) Committee
Our Business & Education Partnership Committee meets monthly to identify and solve shared challenges between schools and employers related to workforce readiness and student success.
If you’re passionate about shaping the talent pipeline and want to be part of the conversation, we’d love to have you at the table.
�� Contact Jamie Schramm to learn more: jamie@sheboygan.org
