Celebrating 25 Years of Small Business Growth & Influence

COSBE will be the leader of and advocate for Milwaukee area small businesses by·

• Providing member services and opportunities for exchange and support;

• Facilitating interaction with local, state and federal governments; and

• Developing community, education and economic growth initiatives

Mission adopted October 18, 1995

Celebrating 25 years of Small Business Growth and Influence

Appreciating the value of small business to the metro Milwaukee economy and understanding their unique needs, MMAC founded the Council of Small Business Executives (COSBE) 25 years ago in 1986. Today, COSBE companies -those with fewer than 300 employees -make up nearly 90% of MMAC’s total members and account for approximately 82% of job creation in the Milwaukee Region.

Since its formation, COSBE has remained dedicated to advocating for small business and has developed programs and services to help them grow.

From its cornerstone Executive Roundtable Program to its annual Future 50 Awards Program, GOSBE brings small businesses together to strengthen their voice and highlight their achievements.

“I have been a member of one of COSBE’s inaugural roundtables f or 25 years adn it continues to be a tremendous business resource. Every member has brought unique issues for discussion and I have benefited from members knowledge, feedback and experience.”

1986

COSBE is officially launched and kicks off the CEO Roundtable program with five groups.

The choices video was a major factor in Tommy Thompson’s election in July 1986. The video was intended to spark public debate about Wisconsin’s excessive taxing and spending.

A foursome from Roundtable #1 at the 1st Annual Golf Outing (I to r): Bob Warner, Jack Olson, Pat Downs and Miles Goodwin

1987

Future 50 program begins. now In its 24th year of recognizing local growing firms

1988

COSBE supports a ticket guarantee to the Milwaukee Brewers with tailgate and ball game events

1989

COSBE develops a Management Center, to deliver monthly small business education programs

1990

Handing all logistical details, COSBE hosts the “best ever” Inc 500 conference 1n Milwaukee.

1991

1st Annual CEO Roundtable Golf Outing was held at Western Lakes Golf Club.

1994

Board begins fund-raising efforts to support Phillis Wheatley Elementary School’s reading programs.

1995

1996

COSBE supports a ticket guarantee to the Milwaukee Brewers with tailgate and ball game events

1998

Council of Growing Companies (rebranded CEOs of Growing Businesses) formed to focus on needs of rapid growth businesses

COSBE Launched Pro Business Policy Agenda

Lobbying for pro-business public policy has been on COSBE’s agenda since the beginning. The group presented its legislative agenda to then Governor Earl on January 28, 1986. It included a call to eliminate state capital gains taxes and corporate income taxes and creation of a seed capital fund for entrepreneurs. COSBE was the leading force behind the production of a video entitled Choices, which urged voters to make Wisconsin’s high taxing and spending the number one issue in the fall elections.

Less “Lonely at the Top” with COSBE Roundtables

COSBE’s cornerstone Roundtable program, started in 1986, began with five groups of CEOs meeting to discuss common business challenges in a confidential setting. That program has grown to more than 50 groups and today includes roundtables for CEOs, CFOs and Senior Executives. The Future 50 program will celebrate its 24th year of recognizing fast-growing local firms this September. In 1989, COSBE introduced a year-long series of hands-on educational seminars for small business owners. Today, forums and breakfast meetings address topics of interest to COS BE members.

Special Events Showcase Milwaukee, Help Members Connect

In 1990, COSBE took the lead in securing the national Inc. 500 conference in Milwaukee from June 7-9. More than 700 participants attended the conference, with COSBE staff and volunteers coordinating all the logistics. A number of annual programs have been instituted along the way, including networking opportunities like the Holiday Gathering. The summer golf outing has been a sell-out nearly every year for the past 20 years. And last year, a Milwaukee Brewers Outing held in the Gehl Club was introduced.

COSBE buys 500 Brewers Hot Night packages to repackage as tailgate l parties for small business.

Directors Cary Silverstein (/) and Rich Blomquist were instrumental in raising funds for Phillis Wheatley’s Reading is Fundamental Program.

The March 6, 2009 cover story of BizTtmes Milwaukee featured COSBE directors sharing best practices on how to survive the recession.

2000

COSBE directors meet with Mayor John Norquist to discuss the challenges of doing business in the City.

2001

With health care costs escalating. COSBE members participate in the Governor’s Task Force on Small Employer Health Insurance.

2004

COSBE members are integral to launching a new health insurance offering for members -Patient Choice

2006

Helping companies get off the ground, COSBE launches the Inventors & Entrepreneurs Forum of Greater Milwaukee.

2008

Taking an active role in public policy, COSBE develops a small business legislative agenda.

2010

With support from COSBE, the City of Milwaukee earns the status of “Well City USA” from the Wellness Council of America.

A National Model for Educational Involvement

With the “adoption” of Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in 1992, COSBE began a hands-on role in improving education - specifically reading enrichment programs - for MPS students. COSBE members have raised more than $81,000 over the past 17 years. In 2008, COSBE received national recognition from Reading is Fundamental. Throughout its history, COSBE members have been involved in every initiative of the Association and played an important role in the development of the Blueprint for Economic Prosperity. This report tracks the progress of public policy priorities.

Healthy Employees and a Healthy Bottom Line

COSBE members have been particularly active in advocating for health care reforms, backing an effort to become a “Well City USA.” In partnership with the City of Milwaukee, the GMC and the YMCA, Milwaukee earned this designation in 2010 for encouraging employers to develop worksite wellness programs that meet standards of excellence as defined by the Wellness Council of America. COSBE members also supported a tax exemption for Health Care Savings Accounts, which was passed by Governor Scott Walker in January 2011.

The Future Looks Bright

Last year, COSBE members led a re energized effort to advocate for public policy initiatives that would have a positive impact on small business. The agenda has been highly successful, with passage of a higher education tax credit for small businesses that pay employees’ tuition, a R&D tax credit for research-related expenses and a capital gains reinvestment exemption for dollars put back into a Wisconsin company. COSBE continues to seek ways to strengthen its small business members by providing value-added programming, improving the business climate and making business connections. After 25 years, we’re just getting warmed up!