Year In Review: 2016-2017

N I R A E W Y EVIE R 7 1 0 2 6 1 0 2

YEAR IN REVIEW 2016-2017

MISSION

The purpose of the Wausau Region Chamber is to strengthen our member businesses and enhance our community by building business success.

VISION

We are the region’s indispensable source for business connections, opportunities, and solutions.

CONTACT US

Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce 200 Washington Street, Suite 120 Wausau, WI 54403 715-845-6231 www.wausauchamber.com

MEMBER BENEFITS Advocacy Commitment to the Region Credibility Economic Development Education Exclusivity Information & Marketing Networking Recognition & Service Talent Development

OUR LEADERSHIP

W Don Bohlin Wisconsin Public Service Corp 2016-2017 Chairperson

hat an incredible year for the Chamber! The 2016-2017 program year included a record-breaking Business EXPO, a regional Talent Summit, a huge Women’s Leadership Conference, a new Manufacturing Excellence Awards program and much more.

I wrote last year about the Chamber’s need to engage and execute on issues faced by our members. We have taken several big steps forward to address those items that will help members succeed. Whether your business is large or small, we have worked to understand the everyday issues you face. This understanding has led and will continue to lead to programs that address these issues and add value to your membership.

The growth of a more inclusive Workforce Hub is a great example of the Chamber listening to the concerns of our members and acting on these concerns as the great community convener, a role uniquely tailored to this organization.

I am looking forward to another great year for the Chamber under the leadership of Dave Eckmann, Cory Heckendorf and the entire Board of Directors.

I’d also like to acknowledge the Chamber’s capable and enthusiastic staff and the organization’s large roster of volunteers. Without these folks, the Chamber would be unable to deliver the indispensable opportunities that members have come to expect.

Respectfully, Don Bohlin

YEAR IN REVIEW 2016-2017

OUR LEADERSHIP

T

ime is fleeting. It’s been over a year since I returned to the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, though it seems like it’s only been a few months. I’d like to share some of my thoughts on the past year, which sped away quickly.

The 2016 – 2017 program year has been a transformative time for the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce. What I mean by transformative is that the organization has adopted a new approach to serving its members and community – we are strategically steering the organization to be more collaborative and inclusive, and to provide greater value for your member investment.

Dave Eckmann Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

Members of the Chamber come from large and small businesses in a variety of industry sectors along with K-16 education, state and local government, not-for-profits and individuals. The Chamber is the business-led community organization that provides an opportunity to convene, connect and assist to align the assets that are important to the economic success of our region.

Early last fall, we began our efforts to reposition the organization. In September of 2016, the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Maria Contreras-Sweet, visited our community to celebrate the revitalization of the Wausau downtown community and the River District. During her visit, the Chamber hosted a listening session that convened a diverse group of business and community leaders to discuss issues facing small businesses and the importance of promoting and supporting small business development in communities.

Because acquiring and retaining talent is a challenge for nearly all organizations, we repositioned the Workforce Hub as an inclusive program, allowing all members (business, education, not-forprofits, government) to participate in the work of building and securing a workforce for today and the future. Now, the Workforce Hub’s digital portal and quarterly meetings provide a collaborative environment which allows for resource sharing and networking. The initiative serves as a framework to develop and distribute valuable tools that help organizations to develop and access talent. Participation in the Workforce Hub has expanded from a small working committee to a program serving nearly 50 organizations, and it continues to grow.

In late spring of 2017, the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce led and collaborated with the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, the Portage County Business Council, the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce

Governor Scott Walker attended the Regional Talent Summit on May 25. and Centergy to host the Central Wisconsin Talent Summit.

The event attracted nearly 250 attendees - business leaders, education leaders and professionals from not-for-profits to begin to build a stronger regional approach to attracting and retaining talent in central Wisconsin.

Small Business Week is always a celebration of commerce in our community. This past year, the Business EXPO held at the Central Wisconsin Convention Center in Rothschild was a record breaking event. The EXPO featured 249 exhibitor booths and an estimated 3,800 attendees. This event truly serves as a barometer of the business environment in the greater Wausau and Marathon County region and this event displays the strong sense of business optimism in our region.

I could go on and on about this year’s activities, however, it is more important to convey to you that the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce will continue its transformation.

Over the past year, the Chamber’s Board, members and staff engaged in strategic planning. The 2017 plan was developed through membership engagement in focus groups

and individual discussions. Our strategic themes are in place to ensure that our region is working collectively to develop and retain talent. We are the advocate for business, meaning the voice and concerns of business is communicated to local, state and federal policy makers. We will provide many opportunities and change our approach so that members are able to convene frequently and affordably throughout the year. A considerable point of value to our members is the ability of the Chamber to provide you with easy connect relationships which help solve problems or grow your enterprise.

Finally, we will serve as a collaborative community partner.

Our region faces many challenges and opportunities. No one organization alone can do all of the necessary lifting as we build a vibrant community, ready to compete in the 21st century’s knowledge economy. It will take all of us to collaborate and align resources to ensure that the region is positioned for economic growth.

Respectfully, Dave Eckmann

YEAR IN REVIEW 2016-2017

OFFICERS

2016-2017

Don Bohlin Wisconsin Public Service Corp Chairperson

Cory Heckendorf Wisconsin Kenworth Chairperson Elect

Dave Eckmann Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

Craig Timm Domtar Paper Co LLC

Melissa Kampmann Ruder Ware

Treasurer/Secretary

Immediate Past Chairperson

Kim Fischer Central Beer Distributors Inc

Dr. Jeannie Worden Northcentral Technical College

Director at Large

Director at Large

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2016-2017

Rebecca Frisch Marathon County Conservation, Planning & Zoning

Bill Gleason Retired

Robin Hegg River Valley Bank

Gretchen Kray Karen Katz EO Johnson Business Wausau Coated Technologies Products Inc

Al Lancaster WSAW/WZAW

Darrell Lentz Aspirus

Michael Loy North Central Health Care

Tammy Pestka Ansay & Associates

Jeff Zriny MCDEVCO Inc

Cole Bruner Buska Wealth Management LLC

Thomas Felch J & D Tube Benders Inc

Paul Jones LandArt Companies Inc

Alfred Nakhla Associated Bank

Tom Frank Greenheck

Scott Stefan Office Enterprises Inc

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YEAR IN REVIEW 2016-2017

PROGRAM & EVENT HIGHLIGHTS ANNUAL MEETING Over 250 members attended the 2016 Annual Meeting held at the City Grill in Wausau on September 22. President/CEO Dave Eckmann spoke about his vision for the Chamber at the event.

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THE BRANCH The Branch, a workforce development initiative introduced in the summer of 2016, continued to grow. Fifteen college students participated in fall and spring cohorts in this skills accelerator built to retain talent in central Wisconsin.

Ten high school students participated in the first Branch Academy in the summer of 2017.

BUSINESS PMS Twenty-one networking events provided an opportunity for members to showcase their business in an informal ‘open house’ atmosphere. An average of 85 individuals attended each event.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

BUSINESS EXPO & EXPO BUSINESS PM There were 249 booths set up for more than 3,800 attendees to learn more about products and services in the area. Both the number of exhibitors and the number of attendees were new records for the event held at the Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center in Rothschild. Plus, hundreds attended the EXPO Business PM which took place after the EXPO at the Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center in Rothschild and included EXPO Best of Show recognition.

GOLF OUTINGS

RIBBON CUTTINGS

The annual Golf Outing was held on June 26 at the Wausau Country Club; 140 golfers participated.

Forty-nine members took advantage of a ribbon cutting or ground breaking opportunity this year. These members celebrated one of the following successes at their business: broke ground or opened a new facility, moved to a new location, remodeled an existing facility, welcomed new ownership or underwent a significant re-branding or name change.

hype hosted a second annual Mad Ball Scramble on August 23 at Greenwood Hills County Club in Wausau. This wacky event featured 35 golfers this year.

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE 37 graduates in our Leadership Excellence program were recognized on May 10 at a ceremony held at The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co in Wausau.

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK In addition to the Business EXPO and the EXPO Business PM, this week included the Small Business of the Year Awards, Legislators’ Forum, a free innovation program and the Small Business of the Year Recognition Ceremony.

More than 350 women attended the third annual conference to discover their highest level of personal and professional development. This conference was held on January 18 at the Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center in Rothschild.

WORKFORCE HUB This reinvigorated initiative offered multiple opportunities for business, education and community leaders to connect and facilitated partnerships to address the region’s workforce issues.

Educator Workforce Tours and Inspire Central Wisconsin training offered additional opportunities for members to collaborate.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY The second year of the YEA! program at the DC Everest Senior High School expanded to include students from all area schools, grades six and up. A class of 13 students completed the program, which took students through the process of starting and launching a real business or social movement. One student, Malia Oluszcyk, reached the semifinals of the Saunders Scholarship Competition.

YEAR IN REVIEW 2016-2017

AWARDS AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

BUSINESS EXPO BEST OF SHOW AWARDS

The Ambassador of the Year Award is presented to an Ambassador who contributes countless hours of service to the Chamber at ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, programs and events. The 2016 Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Jim Gabower.

The Best of Show recipients for Business EXPO 2017 were named at the EXPO Business PM on April 20.

ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD® PROGRAM The ATHENA Leadership Award® Program, right, recognizes members of the community who have played an important role in business, our community and the advancement of women. The ATHENA Award is presented to a person who has demonstrated professional excellence, taken part in community service, and actively assisted women in attaining leadership skills that have helped them advance professionally.

The 2016 ATHENA Award was presented to Kari Solomonson of Peoples State Bank, left.

The ATHENA Young Professional Award is presented to a woman who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession, provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in her community and clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.

The 2016 ATHENA Young Professional Award was presented to Shanna Yonke of Ruder Ware LLSC, right.

The winning members included Bob’s Catering (Eats or Treats), Dream Systems LLC (Overall), Jim Kryshak Jewelers (Best Theme) and the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department (Attention Strategy).

RUDER WARE INNOVATOR AWARD IN MEMORY OF G. LANE WARE Created to honor Lane G. Ware and to recognize outstanding individuals who personify the spirit of entrepreneurship, this award is given to an individual who demonstrates excellence in the way they conduct business. Kevin Eichelberger of the Red Eye Brewing Company was recognized with the award at the 2016 Annual Meeting.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes business growth, community involvement, and innovative efforts in the Wausau Region. This award is also an opportunity to review the best business practices of successful entrepreneurs and set a benchmark of excellence for the years to come.

City Grill An American Bistro (top right, Business-toConsumer), Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc - Northcentral District (middle right, Charitable Non-Profit) and Spectrum Insurance Group LLC (bottom right, Business-toBusiness) were named as the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Small Businesses of the Year recipients. The awards have been given annually since 1981 and were presented during the Chamber’s Small Business Week in April.

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YEAR IN REVIEW 2016-2017

NEW MEMBERS 89Q - WCLQ Able Concrete Raising Inc Advanced Disposal Schofield

Our team of engineers are proud to be part of Wausau’s strong tradition of sound infrastructure investment that supports our City’s quality of life.

El Tequila Salsa LLC Elmergreen Associates

Ascension at Home - Ministry Home Care

EvolvHealth

Auto Select Inc - Weston

Fiberstar Inc

Azure Nails & Spa

FreMarq Innovations Inc Gilman Cheese Corporation

Benedictine Living Community of Wausau

H&R Block - Wausau

Bill Gleason

Hanke’s Sugarbush LLC

Christian Assembly

clarkdietz.com

Faithful Consulting LLC

Gold Cross Courier Services Inc - Weston

Centergy Inc

Kenosha • Milwaukee • Wausau

Envision Home at Last

Becca’s Cafe Bistro & Catering - Weston

Campus Pub Inc

MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL

EHS Management LLC

Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Wisconsin Chapter

Calvary Chapel Wausau

TRANSPORTATION

DocCafe.com, LLC

All-Star Nutrition

Bauernfeind Business Technologies Inc

CIVIL/ENVIRONMENTAL

Cricket Wireless - MobileLink Wisconsin LLC - Rib Mountain

Colonial Life Connexus Credit Union - Wausau Cousineau Auto Inc - Weston Creative Business Services

Lakeland Care Inc - Wausau Land Home Financial Services Inc Lemmens Creative Design LuLaRoe - Lori Lewis

St Vincent De Paul - Cabrini Conference Wausau Stewart Inn Inc The Caring Tree - Children’s Counseling Center LLC

Masa Sushi Grill and Bar

The Connections Place

MBE Wealth Management

The Language Banc

MedJobCafe.com, LLC

The Paisley Mug The Waraksa Group

Mid-State Sisters of Skate Inc Missies Complete Beverage & Bartending Service

These Hands Massage Thomas (Tony) Brown Thunder Lube and Service

NAMI Northwoods

TK Images

National Dental Academy

Transport National

Hiawatha Lounge

Nelson’s Power House Ltd

Waterstone Mortgage

Holiday Station Store

Newch’s Banh Mi

HR Solutions Group

Piper Products Inc

Hsu’s Ginseng Farm, LLP

Quality Resource Group Inc - Schofield

Johnathon Daniel Luoma Foundation JR Services Company

Rural Mutual Insurance -The Kent Wesner Agency

Kase Styles

SEEK Careers & Staffing - Wausau

Keller Williams Integrity Realty WI/MN

SHOP.COM - The Rodriguez Group Inc

Kelly Services Inc - Wausau

Sorenson Home Inspections LLC

U Paint & Party LLC Wausau Breakfast Optimist Club Wausau Pilot and Review Wausau RiverWolves Hockey Wisconsin Waterjet WOW Family Entertainment Center Your Network Security LLC

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YEAR IN REVIEW 2016-2017

STAFF Take your business to the next level TALK TO PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOUR INDUSTRY At Schenck, you’ll work with professionals who serve other businesses like yours and understand the issues driving your industry. Our expertise includes:

Sharon Baumann

Dave Eckmann

James Gabower

Special Projects Manager

President/CEO

Membership Talent Development Development Manager Manager

f Agriculture & Food Processing f Government f Health Care f Hospitality & Retail

f Not-for-Profit Organizations f Real Estate & Construction f Trucking & Logistics Visit schencksc.com for more information.

715-675-2351 | schencksc.com

Lukas Lindner

Stacy Livernash

YEA! Program Manager

Programs & Events Director

SPECIAL THANKS

f Dealerships

f Manufacturing & Distribution

Renae Krings

Brian Otten

Judy Pitek

Sue Wokatsch

Marketing Manager

Member Relations Manager

Finance Director

THANK YOU to all of our member businesses.

We want to acknowledge all of the volunteers who assist with committees, programs and events.

We also want to thank all of our member businesses who sponsored our programs and events. They provided critical support for ongoing services and for the expansion of Chamber programs in the last year.

BY THE NUMBERS 2016-2017

FINANCIALS

REVENUES: Other 4% Programs 39%

Grants 4%

Affiliate Contracts 3%

Affiliate Contracts: Contracts with other organizations for the Chamber to provide administrative services.

Programs: Educational, Golf Outing, Small Business Week

We’re more than the technologies that power your business. We’re the

Membership Investment 50%

EXPENSES:

Your Business.

Better.

people that create solutions, solve problems, and help you work smarter.

Other 3% Occupancy 12% Programs 21% Operations: Salaries and fringes, office expenses Occupancy: Rent, property tax, utilities

Operations 64%

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