4 minute read
Octoberfest
CELEBRATING 38 YEARS OF GIVING IN 2019 A Mile Of Fun Since 1981
Octoberfest was the result of a brainstorming session of the Appleton Downtown Retail Association, (the predecessor of Appleton Downtown Inc.) and the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce in 1981.
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They were searching for a way to promote their businesses, to improve the community image and to showcase Downtown Appleton and the businesses located there. Octoberfest is a volunteer-driven event with about fifteen people serving on the Executive Committee. Almost 800 volunteers tend bar, work in headquarters, sell beer tickets or work as block captains. 2,000-plus people work in the food booths. Each volunteer feels a personal ownership of Octoberfest. Octoberfest is “community driven”. Each non-profit booth that sells food at Octoberfest uses their profits to support their community project. Some of the organizations view Octoberfest as their major fundraiser for the year. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million dollars has been reinvested in our community as a result of Octoberfest over the years.
Nearly 66% of the nonprofit food vendors made $1,000 or more this year. Octoberfest has become a steady source of revenue for them as 75% have been vendors in the past. Additionally, proceeds from Octoberfest are used for the competitive Octoberfest grant program that provides funding to nonprofits year round. To date, Octoberfest has awarded over $2.5 million in grants back to the community. Grants are awarded via an application process in three cycles: December 15, March 15 and June 15. The application and instructions are available at octoberfestonline.org.
2019 Octoberfest Sponsors Title Sponsor: Bud Light (Wisconsin Distributors) Presenting Sponsor: Tundraland Home Improvements In-Kind: EPS Family Fun Area Sponsor: Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. In Partnership With: Valley Transit, Element, Advance Disposal, Lawrence University, BConnected, LLC, Appleton Downtown Inc. Media Partners: 103.9 WVBO, 105.7 WAPL, KZ 104.3, Razor 94.7/104.7, 95.9 Kiss FM, WHBY, NBC26
License to Cruise Sponsors Presenting Sponsor: AkzoNobel Corporate Sponsors: Tundraland Home Improvements and Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. In Partnership With: Valley Transit, Element, Advance Disposal, Lamers Bus Lines Media Partners: 103.9 WVBO, WNAM
Save the Date Sept. 25, 2020 -- License to Cruise Sept. 26, 2020 -- Octoberfest
2019 Grant Recipients Appleton Boychoir Appleton Downtown Inc Appleton Police Department Christ the Rock Girls on the Run Family Caregivers Rock Fox Cities Greenways Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Friends of the Appleton Fire Department Riverview Gardens St. Joseph Food Program Sculpture Valley Souled Out Ministries The Building for Kids Children’s Museum Volunteer Fox Cities
2019 Octoberfest Executive Committee Eric Stadler Wichmann-Fargo Funeral Homes Brian Kuklinski The Green Bay Booyah Darrell DeRidder AT&T Katie Gaffney Fox Cities Chamber Joy Sams Thrivent Financial Char Van Vreede GLK Foods, LLC Mark Lewis Salzwedel Thundera Multimedia Paul Shrode FVTC/Waupaca Regional Center Dan Hoeck Sola Salon Studios Tara Brzozowski Element Nikki Voelzke The Quotient Group Jeff McMullen The McMullen Group Willie Harrison Harrison Printing & Promotion
The Fox Cities Chamber promotes employers and economic development while serving as a catalyst to further improve the quality of life in the Fox Cities. The Chamber is your resource for making your business goals possible. Fox Cities Chamber members have numerous channels to promote their business to local residents and businesses and to build relationships through educational and networking events. By taking advantage of the resources and tools the Chamber has to offer, you enhance the value of your membership and help build a thriving community. Quantity of new members in 2019: 78 Quantity of total members in 2019 (as of 12/1/19): 987 Chamber Ambassadors are individuals seen as leaders and emerging leaders within our community who have experience with and exposure to the many facets of the Fox Cities Chamber. Ambassadors are an extension of our brand. Like our staff and Board of Directors, Ambassadors are out in the community engaging with organizations and other business professionals on a regular basis. They are a passionate, engaged group of individuals who can advocate for the Chamber AND represent our members.
The Ambassadors exist to grow and sustain the prosperity of current and future Chamber members. Thank you for your continued dedication to the Fox Cities Chamber!
Fox Cities Chamber Ambassadors
Jane Calkins - Midwest Communications Beth Davis - Community First Credit Union Tina Grenlie - Edward Jones Sara Hebert - Nicolet National Bank Nicole Hurd - Coalesce Marketing and Design Scott Jensen - Hosking Insurance Agency Dennis Jochman - The Bechard Group, Inc. June Johnson - J.A. Johnson Health Insurance Paul Kornfeind - North Shore Golf Club Dennis Korth - Korth Financial Services Maggie Lamal - Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Wisconsin Chapter Laura Manley Mispagel - Old National Bank Patrick Minskey - Experienced Wealth Management Richard Parks - Modern Woodmen of America Kelly Radandt - Woodward Radio Group Conner Stilp - Century 21 Ace Realty Kari Stockinger - Prospera Credit Union Ann Thielman - Keller Williams Realty Megan Trochinski - BSI – Building Service, Inc. Les Van Ornum - Merchants’ Choice Card Services LLC Laura Weis Trish Welzein - Keller Williams Realty Sharon Wolfert - SEEK Careers/Staffing Ron Zahn - Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group, Inc. Brooke Ziglinski - Nutritional Healing, LLC
