October 31, 2024

Next sessions of Chamber's Leader Lab now open for registration

Congratulations to the fall 2024 Leader Lab participants at the Fox Cities Chamber!

Registration is now open for the next sessions of the Chamber’s groundbreaking leadership program – “Leader Lab: Linking Organizational Culture and Leadership.” Leader Lab is a leadership training resource designed to impact leaders at all levels and across all industries. It is comprised of a combination of seven in-person sessions and a series of short video modules; the program teaches a powerful array of proven, effective leadership insights and techniques.

Participants have the opportunity to choose from two class locations – either at the Fox Cities Chamber, or in Calumet County.

Classes will be held at the Fox Cities Chamber from 9 – 10:30 a.m. on the following Thursdays in 2025: January 9 & 23, February 6 & 13, March 6 & 13, and April 3.

A separate series of classes will be held in Calumet County, beginning at the Calumet County Administration Building on January 8. Classes will be held from 9 – 10:30 a.m. on the following Wednesdays in 2025: January 8 & 22, February 5 & 12, March 5 & 19, and April 2.

Program cost is $450, and registration is limited. Decide which location you would like to register for and use the buttons below; deadline is December 18, 2024.

Fox Cities Chamber Leader Lab

Calumet County Leader Lab

Chamber Quick Poll:

How do you prefer to receive Chamber information?

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Previous Poll Results:

What is your favorite employee-friendly perk?

Generous PTO/Vacation - 47%
Continued education - 29.1%
Flexible work attire - 10.6%
Hybrid/remote work - 10.6%
Health & Wellness support - 2.6%

Your Business Advocate: Election Update

As the election season enters the final month, campaigns are heating up (as are the attacks from both sides). I’m fairly certain you are all ready to have this election in the rearview mirror, given that Wisconsin is one of a handful of states that the presidential campaigns are focusing on.

Here in Wisconsin, the Marquette University Law Poll came out this week. It showed Vice President Harris with a 4 point lead, but that remains within the poll’s 4.4% margin of error. This result mirrored the last MU Law Poll from a month ago. Recent events will begin showing up in polling done in the coming weeks. What does all of this mean for Wisconsin? Buckle up, it is going to be a very long month ahead.

Read the full blog post

Essays now being accepted for National Civics Bee®

The Chamber is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 National Civics Bee®, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.

Middle school students in 6th - 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. After a distinguished panel of judges review the essays, the top 20 students will be selected to advance to their local competition: an in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge.

Encourage your student to enter and build their civic knowledge! Learn more here.

Learn more

Local businesses can apply for Project Pitch It Season 9!

Applications are now open for Season 9 of Project Pitch It, Wisconsin’s very own TV show that highlights local entrepreneurs pitching their businesses to Wisconsin business leaders—referred to as the “moguls” on the show. This unique program offers a friendlier, Midwestern version of Shark Tank, tailored specifically for the Wisconsin business community.

Applications for Season 9 are now being accepted online, with an audition deadline of November 8, 2024. To apply, entrepreneurs must submit a two-minute pitch video that includes their personal story, the inspiration behind their business, and how participation in Project Pitch It can help elevate their company to the next level.

Learn more and apply here.

Grab your tickets for Dec. CEO Breakfast

PULSE is hosting it's second CEO Breakfast this year on December 5 from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Fox Club at Fox Cities Stadium. A moderated panel of local CEO's will answer questions and offer insight on professional growth, developing leadership skills, and helping participants take charge of their future.

The panel includes:

Lisa Cruz, Owner and CEO, Red Shoes, Inc./Executive Director, Multicultural Coalition, Inc.
Maiyoua Thao, Small Business Owner and Entrepreneur
Craig Wiedemeier, President, Werner Electric Supply
Coreen Dicus Johnson, President and CEO, Network Health

Chamber and PULSE members can attend for $40; non-members for $55. Tables of eight are also available. To learn more about our CEO's and register for the event, click here or use the button below.

Get the most out of your Chamber membership

Are you a new Chamber member, or an existing member looking to make the most of your membership? Learn more about the resources we provide and the benefits your membership gives you at our Membership Mastery Power Hour!

This free program is a deep dive into the benefits of your Chamber membership; from promoting your business to networking resources, using the member portal, professional development, and more. Join us on November 12 from 8 - 9 a.m. at the Fox Cities Chamber; members can sign up for FREE using the button below!

November networking opportunities

Join us on November 14 from 5 - 7 p.m. for our November Business After Hours at Harp Gallery! This free after-hours event is located at 2101 Progress Way in Kaukauna.

Our monthly Morning Mingle event will be held on November 19 from 8 - 9:15 a.m. at the Chamber office. Bring your business cards and get ready to make new and meaningful connections with your fellow Chamber members!

We couldn’t do it without you: Employee Friendly Workplace certified companies

NOTE: In the upcoming weeks we are spotlighting several of the groups who contribute to our success at the Chamber. Each of these will also be recognized at The Connection on December 10th. If you are a member of any group be sure to get your ticket today! If not, we encourage you to attend and support them.

Kudos to our local employers who value the importance of work/life balance at their organizations and its impact on economic growth. The Fox Cities Chamber recognizes those companies who go above and beyond in this area through our Employee Friendly Workplace certification.

The mission of the Fox Cities Employee Friendly Workplace Initiative is to encourage the adoption of more employee friendly workplace practices and policies to enhance work/life balance and successfully attract and retain the best employees in the region.

Certification is achieved through an application process that determines a company’s status based on ratings in four categories: paid leave and flexible work schedules, health & wellness support, financial support, and perks.

To date the Chamber has certified 21 Fox Cities companies as being employee friendly. See that list here - and congratulations to each of them! Companies interested in applying for certification can click here.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance volunteers needed

Every year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals nationwide. This is a cooperative effort between the Internal Revenue Service and many individual states, including Wisconsin.

With tax season approaching, they are looking for site coordinators to help manage VITA centers across the state. Volunteers don't need to be CPAs to qualify; they are seeking people with strong organizational skills who can commit to a schedule during the busy tax season. They provide all necessary training. Those interested in volunteering can sign up by visiting their website.

People Making Headlines

Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists announced Amy Seehafer as their new Chief Operating Officer.

Mike Friese of Encapsys LLC, Kelly McCartney of Jewelers Mutual Group, and Bethany Skorik of Fincantieri Marine Group have been named to the board of directors of New North Inc.

Jewelers Mutual® Group announced the addition of a new member, Dana Lorberg, to its board of directors.

McCarty Law LLP attorney Sara Micheletti appointed to the legislative committee of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin.