October 12, 2023

The coolest things are made in the Fox Cities!

Did you know that two of the coolest things made in Wisconsin are made right here in the Fox Cities? That's right! It's official, as both are finalists in a statewide competition sponsored by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Say hello to your two local finalists: Plexus Corp. Bevi Bottleless Water Dispensers & Ariens® 90th Anniversary Limited Edition Sno-Thro. These two companies and their amazing products are up against two other finalists from the greater Wausau area. As Fox Citonians (is that a word?!) we all know that it is no competition. Anything made in the Fox Cities is the BEST! You can help reinforce this by VOTING in the competition. Individuals can vote once per day, per device, and voting will end at 12 PM on Thursday, Oct. 19. Read the full article here.

Vote Now!

Grow with Google Grapevine: Increase Your Holiday Sales

It’s not too early for your small business to start preparing for the upcoming holiday season! In this video, you’ll learn quick ways to promote your products online using Google tools as consumers shop during the holiday season. See how local brick-and-mortar businesses can list products on a Google Business Profile. You’ll learn about Google Merchant Center, a no-cost tool that allows both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar businesses to create free Product Listings on Google.

View the Webinar

Attend the October Business After Hours at Sure-Dry

Join us on October 26 from 4 - 6 p.m. for some spooky after-hours networking! Sure-Dry is hosting our October Business After Hours, and they encourage everyone to dress up for the chance to win their costume contest. There will be catering from Parker John's, spooky drinks and deserts, and multiple costume prizes given out!

You can nominate a fellow community member for a Lifetime Achievement Award!

On January 18th we will celebrate the Fox Cities Chamber's Lifetime Achievement awards, which recognize the exceptional leaders in our community. Nominate an outstanding community member for one of these awards:

Gus A. Zuehlke Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions through leadership in the business community and service during their years as a Chamber member.
Joyce Bytof Exceptional Mentor Award is given to an individual who is proactive in the advancement of others by sharing time, talent, and business experience for the purpose of promoting growth and opportunity in our community.
ATHENA Leadership Award®, sponsored by Bergstrom Automotive, recognizes a woman who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence.
Fox Cities Business Leader Hall of Fame recognizes a retired individual who has demonstrated personal and business success and is a role model for future generations.

The deadline for nominations is October 27. Learn more about the awards and nominate an individual using the button below or by clicking above on your desired award.

Learn more / Nominate

Chamber Ambassador Spotlight: Shawn Brokaw

Shawn is a Local Business Advisor at Thryv, helping small business owners meet and/or exceed their vision for what their business could become when it was first started. Most business owners dread the business side of owning a business, and that is where Shawn steps in to help them find ways to minimize the areas that they struggle with and allow them to get back to doing the parts of the jobs they love. He gets to help Small Businesses Grow and Thryv.

What do you most enjoy about working in the Fox Cities?

I have grown up in the Fox Cities area (being originally from Chilton) and spent a lot of time watching this area grow. When my wife and I chose to move back to Northeastern Wisconsin we chose the Fox Cities area because there just seems to be something for everyone; from Fox Cities PAC, to the Timber Rattlers, to fun bars and restaurants with great food, to great school systems with great education and competitive interests outside of academics. The Fox Cities area just felt like home.

Please share your favorite/most impactful moment as a Fox Cities Chamber Ambassador.

I haven’t been an Ambassador for very long but as I stated earlier networking was something new to me. The first event that I attend after joining just a few days earlier was an After Hours over Halloween – I knew none of the Chamber staff, no one who was a Chamber member and everyone was wearing costumes so I had little to no chance of recognizing anyone. Eric Broten and couple of Chamber members saw the dazed look on my face and helped make introductions so I wasn’t completely lost. This is why I became an Ambassador and I am using that experience to help new members attending events that are way out of their comfort zone to meet new people and make connections throughout the community.

Read Shawn's full Spotlight

Looking to make new Connections? Be a “Connector” sponsor on Nov. 2 at The Connection!

The Connection is a 1/2 day event of the Fox Cities Chamber focused on learning, celebrating, and networking. Your small business can be part of it as a “Connector.” This sponsorship is a low-cost opportunity to increase brand awareness and connect your business to other members of the Chamber:

Connector Level 1:

Brand Connections $250

Marketing perks to increase name awareness of your business:

Your logo on The Connection web page
Your logo featured on The Connection signage
Half page ad in Fox Cities Week (to use in 2023)

Connector Level 2:

Networking Connections $500

All of the benefits above PLUS:

2 tickets to The Connection
Opportunity to leave business cards out at the event
Verbal recognition at the event
Social media mention

Email Eric Broten to learn more

FREE employability skills videos from NEWMA

The NEW Manufacturing Alliance in partnership with schools throughout the region created a new employability skills video called, “How to be successful in the workplace”. Employers share their tips on how students can be successful in the workplace in two videos and lesson plans that are available at no cost, and there are two versions of the video that are either 12 minutes or 30-minutes version.

WISDOT I-41 Project County N Business Interchange Meeting

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) invites you to attend a meeting in-person or online to review the planned construction and 2024 closure at the County N (Freedom Road) interchange. WisDOT will give a short presentation to provide the following project information:

Details about the planned 2024 CLOSURE of the County N (Freedom Road) interchange
Updates on traffic impacts
Information about temporary business signage

Project staff will answer questions and share resources to help you manage potential impacts to your business and customers. The meeting is being held on Tuesday, October 24 at 8:30 AM. Join in person at Little Chute Village Hall or online here.