28 minute read
Legislative Notes
2020 FALL ELECTION PREVIEW
BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
All of Wisconsin’s 99 state Assembly seats are up this November, along with 16 of the 33 state Senate seats and all eight congressional seats. The only statewide race in Wisconsin in 2020 is the presidential election, which will once again put Wisconsin in the national spotlight.
Republicans currently hold comfortable majorities in both houses of the Legislature, with a 18-13 advantage in the state Senate (with two vacancies) and a 63-36 advantage in the state Assembly.
There are 21 legislators not seeking reelection in 2020. The 33-member state Senate will have at least eight new members next year, while the state Assembly will have at least 13. The most notable legislator not seeking reelection is Democratic state Sen. Fred Risser. He was first elected to the state Assembly in 1957 and has represented the 26th Senate District since 1962. He is the longest-serving state legislator in the history of the United States and, at 93, he is still working in his Capitol office representing his Madison Senate District.
In 2020, there will be an increase in primary challenges of incumbents. Six sitting state representatives are facing a primary challenge from their party, while one democratic state senator is facing a primary challenge from a legislative aide from a fellow democratic senator.
CONGRESS
After four decades of public service, Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner is not running for reelection. He was the lead author of the Music Licensing Reform Act. His efforts were spurred by the contact of a TLW member in his district regarding the issue of music licensing. He was able to help reform music licensing, saving small business owners licensing fees. We thank Sensenbrenner for his years of public service, and for listening and acting on such an important issue to small businesses across the country.
State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is the favorite to replace Sensenbrenner. Meanwhile, Republican state Sen. Tom Tiffany easily won a special election to fill the vacant 7th Congressional District and will face the same opponent in November. Incumbents in the six other congressional seats will face a general election opponent.
STATE SENATE
Republicans hold an 18-13 advantage in the state Senate after two recent resignations created open seats. Tiffany resigned prior to being sworn into Congress and former Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling resigned her seat for another career opportunity.
Add these seats to five other senators who did not run for reelection, and Fitzgerald’s seat, which will open once he is elected to Congress, and the state Senate will have a markedly different look when it reconvenes in January. It will also have new leadership for both parties, as Republicans will elect a leader to replace Fitzgerald and Democrats elected Sen. Janet Bewley as their new leader to replace Shilling.
State senators not seeking reelection include:
Republican Sen. Dave Craig
Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen
Democratic Sen. Mark Miller
Republican Sen. Luther Olsen
Democratic Sen. Fred Risser
Democratic Sen. Jennifer Shilling
Republican Sen. Tom Tiffany
STATE ASSEMBLY
Republicans hold a comfortable 63-36 majority. There are 13 open seats. In addition to the five TLW members seeking reelection, TLW Board Member Keith Kern is running for the 73rd Assembly District in far northern Wisconsin. All TLW members running include:
Republican Rep. Rob Brooks
Republican Rep. James Edming
Republican Rep. Dan Knodl
Republican Rep. Rob Summerfield
Republican Rep. Rob Swearingen
Republican Keith Kern for the 73rd Assembly District State assembly representatives not seeking reelection include:
Republican Rep. Joan Ballweg
Democratic Rep. David Crowley
Republican Rep. Mary Felzkowski
Democratic Rep. Jason Fields
Democratic Rep. Debra Kolste
Republican Rep. Bob Kulp
Republican Rep. Romaine Quinn
Republican Rep. Mike Rohrkaste
Democratic Rep. Melissa Sargent (running for state Senate)
Republican Rep. Rob Stafsholt (running for state Senate)
Democratic Rep. Amanda Stuck (running for Congress)
Democratic Rep. Chris Taylor
Democratic Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa A full list of candidates can be found at: tinyurl.com/yauvee4p. TLW
THE NEW NORMAL
Armed with a new set of guidelines to keep the COVID-19 pandemic at bay, bars and restaurants around Wisconsin are trying to get used to their new normal.
By Jen Bradley
Around the state, TLW members are experiencing a new way of doing business. Just about two months after abruptly shutting down businesses on St. Patrick’s Day, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Gov. Tony Evers’ Safer at Home extension on May 13 and gave TLW members a new set of guidelines to do business in the unprecedented era of COVID-19. We talked to a few TLW members around the state to see what their new normal looks like. Here’s what they had to say.
CELT FOR HEAD COACH!
In northwestern Wisconsin, Mike Celt serves as the president of the Pierce County Tavern League. He has owned Mike’s Bay Town Bar & Grill in Bay City for nearly a quarter of a century.
Celt mentions that he and his wife kept the business open as much as possible during the shutdown and offered takeout food to help get through. While 75 percent of his business was lost during that time, he adds that the takeout orders kept them busy and the business afloat. They otherwise spent time serving the community through a backpack program, in which contributors offer food to children to ensure they eat when they can’t depend on school meals, and other initiatives.
When restrictions lifted, Celt says a few employees were concerned about coming back to work, but most have since eased into the new normal. He made sure they felt safe by establishing guidelines to provide a safe work environment, including offering masks if employees wanted to wear them, although it was not required.
Most customers aren’t wearing masks either, except for some senior citizens, he explains. “And that is fine with us,” Celt says, pointing out that Pierce County’s regulations aren’t as strict as others in the state. He says his 86-year-old father stayed away from the tavern for a long time, but now comes in with a mask, and that is fine, too.
Social distancing is proving to be a unique challenge, however, because while 50% of the restaurant can be occupied, that doesn’t always align with the rule of putting 6 feet of space between customers. In fact, one of the most substantial things to impact Mike’s Bay Town Bar & Grill, located near the western state border, was the massive influx of people from Minnesota when Wisconsin reopened for business. Celt says the out-of-towners wanted to get out of the city and come to “God’s country.”
Most understood the need for a modified operating model during the pandemic and took their drinks outside to enjoy. “It was great for business, but it was crazy here for at least a good month,” Celt exclaims. “We would run out of food and then, when the riots started up in the Twin Cities, people would come down to see us. The takeout was nuts!”
Today, less people from next door are coming over, but more locals are visiting Mike’s Bay Town Bar & Grill. Celt says that the establishment now uses plastic forks and knives, and offers one menu per table, which is sanitized after use. Hand washing is of utmost importance.
Managing customer and employee expectations during this trying time can be tough, but worth it. “It’s like being the head coach — you have to bring all these people through, not a war, but like a big game” with emotions running high. Celt adds, “My entire staff at this point is relaxed.”
MAKING CHANGES IN MADISON
Heading south, Joe Klinzing owns Off Broadway Drafthouse, which is in its fifth year, in Madison. The bar and restaurant offers 24 rotating draft beers, custom cocktails and a variety of specialty menu options, mostly made from scratch. On-site gardens provide fresh produce when in season.
Klinzing’s establishment is located on the city’s south side and, in a normal year, that would be a great benefit when traffic from the Alliant Energy Center (one of Madison’s top venues for conventions, concerts and more) funnels in. Not so much in 2020. In fact, the Alliant Energy Center is acting as a COVID-19 testing site for the time being.
“Anything that goes on there has a tremendous impact on us, so that’s been tough,” Klinzing says, adding that he used to rely on thousands of exhibitors who found themselves eating at Off Broadway, too.
Dane County is operating under Forward Dane, a phased reopening plan that uses Dane County-specific data and guidance for how and when to allow people to interact in a safe way, while incrementally reopening businesses.
Klinzing says Off Broadway’s outside patio helps bring in more customers, but admits that some people are still nervous about dining inside. To make everyone more comfortable, the tavern strictly follows the 6-foot social distancing rule, set up additional automatic hand sanitizer stations, installed plexiglass dividers and removed everything from unoccupied tables, he explains. Condiments are prepackaged or come in packets, menus are digital
SAFE TAKEOUT
(unless a regular menu is requested), and staff are always masked.
“This unusual time is creating some interesting trends for us, as more people are ordering off the craft drink menu than previously,” Klinzing reports. He also says that curbside service continues to see strong traffic, and creative drink kits for margaritas, old fashioneds and other cocktails are extremely popular. The tavern is even looking into offering options for upcoming outdoor community events.
The flip side of that success, however, is the extra staff it takes to sustain the new normal while remaining open for regular business. Friday night takeout demands two extra people to answer phones, a runner and two others working a staging station, for example. And although around 35 people are on the payroll, many of them are new faces, Klinzing explains. In addition to getting used to a new way of doing business, he had to train new people, as some former employees didn’t return to work after the shutdown.
Klinzing says the regulars are coming back, though, and there’s even an uptick in out-of-state plates in the parking lot, as well as bicyclists taking advantage of the Lake Monona Loop. He credits his team’s Facebook presence with helping the business survive the shutdown and emerging as strongly as possible.
Klinzing and his wife spent the lockdown deep cleaning, making adjustments and repairs, and thinking ahead. “It’s been very challenging mentally,” he acknowledges. The establishment is at capacity level with the 6-foot spacing and, although Klinzing spent time making sure all of his employees were set up for unemployment, some checks still haven’t arrived, which he says is frustrating.
Even still, the staff completed some service projects together and is receiving compliments from the community on how things are being handled today. “We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing,” Klinzing concludes. “We miss hosting fundraisers for organizations, but we thrive off of what the community is telling us and they are really happy.”
RENOVATION SAVINGS SAVES TAVERN
Vinny and Cassandra (KC) Egle started the Curve In Bar in Kewaskum as a 16-stool bar, but soon after opening in 2018, they renovated and expanded to 44 stools. The couple was a part of the business for many years before they bought it from the previous owner, and were in the middle of another renovation, an addition to the building’s north end, when the lockdown happened.
“Vinny and I were having the best first quarter we’ve ever had (after being in business together for nearly a decade), and then it hit,” KC says. “We did some curbside sales, like a store would, but we spent most of the time working on the bar and building a brat hut for nonprofit organizations to use for brat and burger sales.” This is a great way to drive traffic into the bar, she explains, and is a win for the community as well. It’s already been in use this summer, welcoming customers back to Curve In.
KC says it was nice to work on some bar projects, but a downside was that the establishment didn’t qualify for any available funding programs. When asked what she learned from the experience, she mentioned a greater understanding of how things work within governmental arms.
However, KC says bar apparel sales were up during the shutdown, and friends and family were more than willing to support the business in that way. “Our community was amazing,” she says. “When they came in to purchase a case of beer, they would pick up a pizza or a shirt, too. They supported us by whatever means possible. We’re
“Being a Tavern League member, it’s amazing the sense of pride and connection I have with my governing body at this point in time,” she continues. “Many of those people Vinny and I know on a first-name basis.”
Like Off Broadway Drafthouse, Curve In Bar is also experiencing losses due to major community event cancellations, leading to the worst Father’s Day weekend it’s ever seen. It’s frustrating, and KC is hoping that changes as more people feel comfortable about going out and sharing their opinions accordingly.
In contrast, “the motorcycle traffic has been absolutely amazing,” she says. “I think people are enjoying the freedom to get out and do things, and with so many events being cancelled, they are getting out, riding and exploring new areas.”
A few customers wear masks, but KC says there’s no shaming or bullying from anyone about it. She reports that customers are understanding and respectful of each other. Many sit outside at picnic tables or concrete blocks near the bar. To minimize person-to-person contact since the bar reopened, the tavern serves drinks in plastic cups and offers paper-wrapped straws to customers. Local pizzas are still in demand, as the bar collaborates with a couple who owns a restaurant and locally distributes pizzas two days a week.
KC hopes the efforts she and Vinny put in during the lockdown pay off down the road, and appreciates that, even though the closed sign was up for a while, they were working.
SUPPER CLUB SURVIVES ON CREATIVITY
Finally, we circle back even further north than Pierce County to Rice Lake, where Harold Lehman and his family have been running Lehman’s Supper Club & Lounge for nearly 85 years. He says that, when the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision allowed businesses to reopen, the restaurant proceeded cautiously and was “guardedly optimistic” about what was to come. The establishment didn’t open immediately, but instead took a week to make sure protocols were in place to follow safe procedures.
Partitions, employee temperature screenings, social distancing and 50% seating were the first things addressed. Instead of 28 bar stools, the supper club now has nine. “We do everything we can to encourage our customers and employees to have a good, safe experience here,” Lehman explains.
The tablescapes also changed. They start out bare, then everything comes out single-serve. Furthermore, employees are receiving special training on how to clean every area after diners leave, and that includes sanitizing menus, silverware, etc.
“We’re all in this together and that rang true for us — from our suppliers to our customers. It was a new, uncharted road and anyone that’s in this business knows it’s a people business. We missed that part the most.” — Harold Lehman, Lehman’s Supper Club & Lounge
cost factor involved in doing all of these things and, while we aren’t worrying about the monetary cost vs. safety, these things slow down the process.”
The clientele hasn’t changed much, though. Lehman says today’s customers still fall into the 40+ crowd, but the interesting dynamic is who is asking for what safety precautions to be in place. “As the age crawls up the ladder a bit, people become more and more concerned over [COVID-19],” he says. “But then, a lot of our customers who are 75 or above don’t care. They just want to be out and doing something.”
The full shutdown came as a shock to the Lehman family, he explains. They kept hearing rumblings, but it wasn’t until St. Patrick’s Day that Lehman developed raw feelings when he was told to close his doors, a sentiment he shares with many TLW members. “If they would have said to do it at 5 a.m. the next morning, or even midnight, but it gave many people a sour taste in their mouth to have to shut down by 5 p.m. on an otherwise busy holiday evening,” he adds.
Carryout and delivery became the saving grace for the Lehmans, he says. It helped pay the bills and keep the doors open, even though, on a good week, the register was showing just 30% of a normal week’s income. He says his family was proud to keep food going out the door, especially serving those who needed it. For example, the Lehmans worked with the local Rotary Club to make sure essential employees were eating well.
The delivery option for a supper club was unique and one that originated from customer requests. However, Lehman says that, with the food and drink packages the management put together, it actually worked and became a service many people truly appreciated. Today, Lehman’s Supper Club & Lounge is still offering takeout (delivery only on rare occasions) to those who want it.
“We get a lot of calls asking about our procedures and what we’re doing. Then I think people feel a little better, but a lot of times, they will still want to do takeout,” he says. been a roller coaster and they never know what tomorrow may bring. More than that, though, he is blown away by how the family, employees and customers rallied for and cared about the supper club.
“We’re all in this together and that rang true for us — from our suppliers to our customers,” he says. “It was a new, uncharted road and anyone that’s in this business knows it’s a people business. We missed that part the most.”
He sings praises for the staff that continued working for the takeout and delivery orders, and says they did a marvelous job rising to the challenges and continue to do so. Lehman also says it’s difficult as a business owner to manage the politics that come with extra unemployment benefits and a need for staff at the supper club.
Going forward, Lehman says that event cancellations both in the community and at the supper club are going to impact the future, but he’s glad the supper club has been able to maneuver through the rough spots so far. “God willing, I hope we don’t have another occurrence in the future and everyone can get back to some semblance of normalcy,” he concludes. “That’s what we’re wishing for. We’re not in the best of shape, but we’re still here and moving forward.” TLW
THE EFFORT CONTINUES The TLW plans to solicit C.H.E.E.R.S. Wisconsin donations through August; one member blazes a trail for the fundraising effort.
By Amanda Wegner
Across the state, businesses are slowly coming back online, but business is not back to normal yet. The Tavern League is still working to solicit funds for the Communities Helping Empower Employers to Remain Successful (C.H.E.E.R.S.) Wisconsin relief fund to help members recover from the coronavirus shutdown. The TLW set up C.H.E.E.R.S. Wisconsin as a charitable fund with proceeds being paid out equally to members who were in good standing as of February 28, 2020.
“We knew our people would be hurting financially during this period, so we needed to figure out a way to help. As an association, we didn’t have the financial capability to help every one of our members, so we reached out to industry partners to see if they would be willing to help. We found that, while our industry was suffering, off-premise was doing well,” Pete Madland, TLW executive director, says of the impetus for C.H.E.E.R.S. “A lot of suppliers were doing just fine, and weren’t feeling as much pain because they were still selling in grocery or liquor stores.”
He continues, “That being said, it has not worked out like we hoped it would. Some people and companies have been very, very generous, and some have not contributed at all.”
While Madland would like to see greater participation from vendor and industry supporters, to date, the Tavern League raised $218,000 from donors large and small, including Mark Puetz of Kewaskum, who shares his story a little later.
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Major C.H.E.E.R.S. donors include:
Badger Liquor
Wisconsin Amusement & Music Operators (WAMO)
New Glarus Brewing Company
Beam Suntory/Jim Beam
S&S Distributing
Lotzza Motzza Pizza/Bernatello’s Foods
Society Insurance
Beechwood Sales & Service/Anheuser-Busch
Midstate Amusement Games
Pehler Brothers Distributing
Forest Floor Foods
Patrón Tequila
Amusement Devices Inc.
Wisconsin Distributors
Milwaukee County Tavern League
D&D Amusement Games
Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps
AN ONGOING EFFORT
The Tavern League recently announced that it plans to continue to solicit financial support for the C.H.E.E.R.S. Wisconsin fund through the end of August. Part of the reasoning for that is some areas, including Dane County and Milwaukee, still have restrictions in place that are affecting Tavern League members. The Tavern League also plans to donate to the fund as an association; the amount of money raised is going to determine
“We are still working on building up the fund and figuring out how to best distribute 5,000 checks to 5,000 members, so your patience is appreciated.” — Pete Madland, TLW
the amount the organization as a whole contributes.
Madland would like to remind TLW members that those who were members in good standing as of February 28, 2020, qualify for a payout. “If you decided to join on April 1 in hopes of getting in on the C.H.E.E.R.S. fund, that’s not going to happen,” he cautions. Madland also notes that C.H.E.E.R.S. was not set up as a grant program. All qualifying members are going to receive an equal payout.
“We received several phone calls inquiring about [the fund] as a grant program,” says Madland. “That was not the intent and not what it is. While we would like to try to help individual businesses, we can’t pick winners and losers. As an association, we just can’t go down that road.”
Madland asks for fortitude as the Tavern League determines how and when to best wind down the effort. “We are still working on building up the fund and figuring out how to best distribute 5,000 checks to 5,000 members, so your patience is appreciated,” he says. “We know you would love to have money in hand right now. While we’re not ready to do that yet, money will be coming. It’s not going to be a golden parachute by any means, but we are glad to be doing what we can.”
THREE C.H.E.E.R.S. FOR PUETZ
While a number of major contributors are helping to support the C.H.E.E.R.S. fund, individuals around the state are also donating. One such person is Mark “Neuman” Puetz, who went above and beyond in his effort to support Tavern League members.
When the state’s Safer at Home order began, Puetz had some free time and started walking each day, both by himself and with his kids. “I enjoy walking, but I didn’t always have the time before,” he explains. “About two weeks after St. Patrick’s Day, I started walking for exercise every morning. And on those walks, I have time to think.”
That included thinking about C.H.E.E.R.S. Puetz, who owns Strike Zone in New Holstein, is vice president of the Manitowoc County Tavern League and the TLW’s 4th district director. “C.H.E.E.R.S. really interested me. I started thinking about what I could do to help generate more money for the fund because it doesn’t just help me, but everyone in the Tavern League,” he mentions.
Combining his passion for the Tavern League and for walking, Puetz devised a plan — a walkathon to raise money for C.H.E.E.R.S.
Originally, Puetz settled on walking a marathon, which is just over 26 miles, but he knew he could do more than that. Instead, he mapped the distance between his bar in New Holstein and the Curve In Bar, a friend’s place in Kewaskum. The distance equaled 35 miles.
“I promoted the walkathon on Facebook and started taking donations from the community,” Puetz says. “My main goal was to get awareness out, especially to larger businesses, because that’s where the bigger money comes from. A lot of them didn’t know there was a fund out there to raise money for Tavern League members, and about all of the bars and restaurants that were struggling.”
Puetz set out on his fundraising walk on Sunday, May 24, the day before Memorial Day. He left New Holstein at 8 a.m., and the walk took him about 10 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Along the way, he had a number of walking companions, including his sister, his fiancé and the owner of Curve In Bar’s mother. Others jumped in along the way and some even donated en route.
When Puetz arrived at the Curve In Bar, there were about 40 people on hand to greet him, including bar patrons, friends, colleagues and family. “It was a very welcoming greeting and kept me going for the last 100 yards,” he reports. He was also greeted with three bags of ice to soothe his tired legs. He passed on the beer. Puetz brought in about $700 with his fundraising efforts, but he knows a number of friends also donated to C.H.E.E.R.S. online. He estimates that he raised approximately $1,000 total for the fund.
“I wanted to show the Tavern League that I care about all of our businesses. I don’t want to see any bars shut down and wanted to try to put some money in their back pockets. Being shut down for two months without the ability to make money, that’s hard. I wanted to do my part to give every business the opportunity to stay open.”
He’s not sure yet, but this may become an annual venture for Puetz. “I hope it raised awareness and keeps the communication lines about the program open,” he says. “The longer we can keep in the limelight, the better for all of our members.” TLW
2020 Fall Convention & Trade show Preview TLW FOR HEROES schedule of events MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Silent Auction for TIPAC – Barranco
Lounge
3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Winter Getaway Presentation with
Chambers Travel – South Hall B
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Food Safety Class & Exam An Employer’s Guide for Best Practices District Caucuses: (Class registration is open to members with Sue Matis – Africa West 1st and 9th District – Ballroom C and non-members.) 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. TLW Board of Directors Meeting – Africa 10 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Chapter 125 and What You Need to Know with Tyler Quam – Africa West 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. 2nd District – Conference Room 3rd District – Ballroom B 4th District – Boardroom A 5th District – Boardroom C 6th District – Ballroom D 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday Night Party – Africa West 7th District – Boardroom B
Board Lunch – Africa 20 Entertainment by the Retro Specz 8th District – Ballroom A 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – Africa West Registration Sponsored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. President’s Reception $25 Donation to TIPAC 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Dells/Delton Tavern League Welcome Party 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Live Auction – Africa West Proceeds go to the Direct Givers Fund. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Voting – Africa 10 - Delegates Only TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – Africa West Registration WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – Africa West Registration 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. General Session – Africa West Attendance Drawing Children of Restaurant Employees 8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Nominating Committee – Africa 10 9:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Silent Auction for TIPAC – Barranco Lounge (CORE) Check Presentation Rules Committee Report Swearing in of Officers 8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Rules Committee – Africa 20 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. General Session – Africa West Nominating Committee Report Parade of Candidates 9:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Attendance Drawing Host League Drawing
General Session – Africa West American Beverage Licensees (ABL) Foundation Raffle
Attendance Drawing Report – Terry Harvath, and John Silent Auction Drawing
Host League Introduction – Jim Bodnovich, ABL Executive Director Buyer Raffle Drawing Pickett, Southern Zone Vice President Legislative Report – Scott Stenger Winter Getaway Drawing with
Opening Ceremony – Keith Koehler, Parade of Candidates Chambers Travel Dells/Delton Tavern League President Good and Welfare Good and Welfare
Color Guard Presents Colors Attendance Drawing DVD Presentation
President’s Report – Chris Marsicano Secretary’s Report – Erin Pulaski Treasurer’s Report – Tom Dahlen Keynote Speaker – Craig Purser, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Trade Show – Africa East Bean Bag Toss and Donations for TIPAC President’s Closing Remarks Attendance Drawing Retiring of Colors 12:00 p.m. President and CEO, NBWA 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Foundation Meeting – Africa West
Special Club Awards League Leader/SafeRide Meeting
Member of the Year Attendance Drawing First-Timers’ Orientation 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Vendor Giveaway – Trade Show Area Attendees must be present to win. 12:00 p.m. Dells/Delton President’s Reception Note: Times and events are subject to change 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Trade Show – Africa East Bean Bag Toss and Donations for TIPAC 2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Exhibitor Booth Drawing – Trade Show Area, without notice. Exhibitors must be set up to win. Keynote Address SEMINAR 1: AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE FOR BEST PRACTICES Craig Purser President and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) WITH SUE MATIS, DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS You own a business, therefore, you are an employer. This seminar will provide an overview of best practices, key insights and tools that will assist you in becoming an effective employer. Matis will equip you with feasible, easy-to-implement practices TUESDAY, 9:15 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. that will assist in attracting and retaining quality employees, GENERAL SESSION along with the dos and don’ts of firing. If you have employees, this seminar will help you and your business. NBWA president and CEO Craig Purser serves as an advocate for America’s SEMINAR 2: CHAPTER 125 AND WHAT YOU NEED TO independent beer distributors. He led the charge to strengthen KNOW WITH TYLER QUAM, SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE, the three-tier system of beer distribution and state-based DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE alcohol regulation.
EACH YEAR AT THE FALL CONVENTION, MEMBERS GATHER TUESDAY EVENING FOR THE TLW LIVE AUCTION.
The TLW Live Auction is one of the larger parties held during the Fall Convention festivities, and members have fun bidding, toasting and dancing! In addition to the Tuesday night function, members also have the opportunity to participate in the Silent Auction that runs Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. In the past, auction items have included travel packages, sports memorabilia, fine clothing, electronics, art and more! Auction chairperson Judy Vandenhouten helps coordinate the auctions. Donating an item is simple. 1. Please fill out the form below and mail it to:
Judy Vandenhouten
E2904 Highway J, Kewaunee, WI 54216
Email: houterville@gmail.com Cell: (920) 493-4329 2. Bring your item to the registration booth upon arrival to the Fall Convention. •The auction committee decides if the item will go into the Live or Silent Auction. •All items purchased at the auctions must be paid for by personal check, credit card or cash. Thank you for your contributions!
Auction Item Form
If your league or members will be bringing auction items to the Fall Convention, please complete the form below and submit it to auction chairperson Judy Vandenhouten.
Donor (individual name and league)
Contact Person
Phone (business) (home)
Please describe the item(s) your members will be donating to the TLW auctions.
Item Value
Item
Item
Item
Item Value
Value
Value
Value
Thank you for your participation!
THE TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The award is presented annually to a deserving TLW member at the fall convention. Please take a moment to nominate a member who you feel is deserving of this award. The recipient is chosen based on service to the TLW as well as service to community and family. Many members are qualified to receive this award. Complete the form, and be sure to include any information such as local awards, media coverage, newspaper clippings, endorsements, references, etc. Please send nominations to the TLW office by October 10, 2020. Last year’s member of the year was Brad Schinke.
Member of the Year
Name
Business
City, State, Zip
Local League
Please state why you feel this person should receive the TLW Member of the Year Award. (Attach additional information and supporting documentation if necessary.)
Your Information
Name
Local League
Phone Number Date
