Welcome Back!
Wisconsin Educator,
As the leaves begin to change and pumpkin spice is in the air, our WI Business World team is ready to work with you and your students through many of our unique offerings which are detailed below. But before we dive in, I wanted to share a little background information about our history and to share some exciting updates on our programs.
The WI Business World program is the cornerstone program of the WMC Foundation. WMC is the state chamber of commerce and the state’s largest manufacturing association. Established in 1982 with a goal of enhancing business education in the classroom, our mission is simple: to help students understand that Business is a Force for Good in their communities, while introducing them to the incredible career and economic opportunities available right here in Wisconsin.
A few highlights from our 2025–26 school year programming:
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Our team worked with more than 6,000 students across Wisconsin and the country
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Through our summer camp, one-day programs, and contests, we impacted 226 schools statewide
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More than 3,700 students from 92 Wisconsin school districts participated in our one-day MINI Business World programs
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More than 500 students toured Wisconsin manufacturers, giving them firsthand exposure to modern manufacturing and the careers available in the industry
As impressive as the stats are, the story they can't tell is the lasting impact of our programs. Please click on the links below to hear from the students themselves.
Sincerely,
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New Contest:
Made in Wisconsin Classroom Bracket Challenge
Can your students predict the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin?
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This fall, Wisconsin Business World is adding a classroom twist to WMC’s annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest—and your students are invited to join the fun!
Each year, Wisconsin-made products go head-to-head in a statewide tournament to determine which will earn the title of Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. This year, when the competition reaches its Top 16, classrooms across Wisconsin can get in on the action with our NEW Made in Wisconsin Classroom Bracket Challenge!
Once the Top 16 products are announced, your class will work together to fill out one online bracket, predicting which Wisconsin-made products will advance through each round—and which one will ultimately be crowned the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.
We'll track the official results, score your classroom's predictions, and keep you updated on the standings as the competition unfolds.
And there's something extra on the line… PIZZA! 🍕
The three classrooms with the highest-scoring brackets will each win a classroom pizza party, courtesy of Wisconsin Business World!
Mark your calendar and watch your inbox! Full details, the Top 16, and a link to submit your classroom bracket are coming soon.
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Wisconsin Business World Summer Camp
Save the Date: July 11-14, 2027 | UW-Stevens Point
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The Wisconsin Business World team is excited to partner again with the UW-Stevens Point Sentry School of Business, who will be hosting our 2027 Summer Business World camp. In our camp, students learn how to build, run, and manage a fictional business while working with other students from all around the state. They will engage and learn from executives from well-known and established Wisconsin businesses as well as tour a local manufacturer.
But, even more importantly, through our hands-on, intentional curriculum, students have a chance to practice important life skills that will take them far in their future careers.
Registration for camp will be opening soon. We limit camp to 100 students, and please know our camp fills quickly! As we want camp to be accessible to everyone, we will be offering a code to educators to comp their students’ registration fees. Please email Shelby Paradowski at sparadowski@wmc.org with any questions.
| | New this year: We will be opening the registration portal two weeks early for students recommended to us through teachers and our business partners. Please reserve the number of spots you would like to hold here and we will provide you with a registration link to share with your students and parents so they can register before the general public. | | | |
One-Day MINI Business World Programs
Each school year, our Wisconsin Business World team facilitates one-day MINI Business World programs where middle and high school students experience the excitement of Business World camp at a school, business site, campus or community center.
We partner with CESAs, Chambers, and other community-based organizations to offer regional events. Our goal for the 2026-27 school year is to continue to build on the regional events, giving your students the opportunity to work with students from other schools. While learning about business, entrepreneurship, and career opportunities is the foundation of all of our programs, it’s the soft skills – communication, collaboration, creativity, and leadership - that students embrace while building their businesses that make our programs shine!
And the best part? We offer our programs at no cost to your district. Our Foundation covers all supplies, prizes, lunch and snacks needed for your students to succeed and have fun! Your district is responsible only for transportation to and from the event and any internal staffing costs, such as substitute teachers.
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Our Fall 2026 semester is fully booked for hosting programs, but your students can still participate in a regional event! Please see the attached regional program map to find a program near you and explore registration opportunities.
For questions about regional events or scheduling a program for Spring 2027, please contact Shelby Paradowski, Business World Manager, at sparadowski@wmc.org.
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2026 BEcoME IT Fall Conference
Registration is now open for the WEBIT and WMEA Fall conference. If you’re looking for a fun and educational PD conference, look no further! The conference planning team has again put together a terrific event with an incredible line up of dynamic speakers from all across the state!
Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate, connect, and share out your successes with more than 100 Business, Marketing, and IT teachers! What’s working? Where are you stuck? Come to this gathering and you will be back at school with a whole new set of ideas, examples, and feel more connected to your profession.
The conference will be held from October 14-16, 2026, at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Center in Fond du Lac. Use those Perkins dollars to fund this professional experience for you!
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About Wisconsin Business World:
Wisconsin Business World is committed to reach, inspire and engage students from every corner of the state and to teach them the importance of business, entrepreneurship and the free market through virtual and in-person events, all while informing them of economic opportunities in their own communities. Wisconsin Business World is a proud program of WMC Foundation.
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