YEAR IN EVIEW R 2018-2019
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce 4-Star Accreditation in November 2018. Fewer than three percent of all chambers in the nation earn the accreditation designation.
NEW MEMBERS The 42 Group LLC
Holiday Inn Express - Weston
Rondele Ranch
Accuracy Machine - Merrill
HOM Furniture - Wausau
Sapphire Salon
Adaptive Communities Inc
Hutch’s Bar
SC Swiderski Land Company LLC
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin - Wausau
IFLEED Institute of Math and Science LLC
The Scrub and Shoe Company
Allison Liddle Consulting
Inner Piece Interiors
American Cancer Society - Wausau
Innovative Hydraulics LLC
Apothecary by H4H
Jackson Hewitt
Big Fat Designs LLC
JET Accounting & Consulting Service LLC
The Blind Rooster/Oakwells CenterStage Band and Show Choir Inc CI Pediatric Therapy Centers - Wausau The Community Blood Center Woodruff Cox & Associates Architects and Planners LLC Davczyk & Varline LLC Dietrich VanderWaal SC DJ Justin Pitlik Dreamztech Solutions Inc EatStreet Inc ETCO Electric Supply Inc - Wausau
Kitchen Tune-Up - Stevens Point
Silver Lake College of the Holy Family Manitowoc Spectratech Services Corp Star Environmental Inc
The Lighthouse Salon Inc Lodge Kohler
Straight Shot Investment Group LLC
Lumen Advisory Group LLC
Taylor Enterprises of Wisconsin Inc
Mad City Windows and Baths
TDS Telecom - Mosinee
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Titus Talent Strategies
Mosinee Brewing Company New York Life - Josh Preiser Newton Electric Corp NextHome Leading Edge Norde Memorials Northcentral Employers Healthcare Alliance, Inc.
EXIT Midstate Realty
NoWorries Haven
Foundation Finance Company LLC
Patriot K9s of Wisconsin Inc
GC Supply LLC
Peaceful Solutions Counseling Inc Wausau
Glaser Dental SC
Silas Mahner
State Farm - Ryan Hanson Insurance Agency Inc
Exclamation Services LLC
Get Well Health Services LLC
Sheroes Among Us
Pearl Engineering Corporation Wausau
TLC Unlimited LLC DBA Biggby Coffee - Wausau - E Bridge St True North Counseling & Wellness LLC Vreeland Associates Inc Wausau Animal Hospital Wausau Metro Strong Wausau World Market WBD Inc Weld Riley SC - Eau Claire Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA) Zymo Interactive Weichert Realtors - Jarpo Group
Heartland Communications Group LLC - WRJO/WERL - WCYE/WHOH WATW/WBSZ/WJJH/WNXR
The Plaza Hotel & Suites
Wenger Equipment LLC
Red Robin Burgers & Brews - Wausau
Vantage Agora
Hi Restaurant (Hi Yummy LLC)
Rib Mountain Glass Inc
Zipperer Financial LLC
OFFICERS
2018-2019
Dr. Jeannie Worden Northcentral Technical College Chairperson
Darrell Lentz Aspirus Chairperson Elect
Michael Loy North Central Health Care Treasurer/Secretary
Cory Heckendorf Wisconsin Kenworth Immediate Past Chairperson
Dave Eckmann Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce
Jack Hoogendyk Hope Life Center Director at Large
President/CEO
Nicole Williams QPS Employment Group Director at Large
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2018-2019
JoAnn Draeger Nicolet National Bank
Thomas Felch J & D Tube Benders Inc
Al Lancaster WSAW/WZAW
Paul LaPree Miron Constructon Co Inc
Ted Fox Ameriprise Financial - Cornerstone Advisors
Yengyee Lor Faithful Consulting LLC
Tom Frank Greenheck
Alfred Nakhla Associated Bank
Dawn Bernatz Church Mutual Insurance Company
Cole Bruner Buska Wealth Management LLC
Keri Anne Connaughty CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Rebecca Frisch Marathon County Conservation, Planning & Zoning
Bill Gleason Retired
Robin Hegg River Valley Bank
Tammy Pestka Ansay & Associates
Craig Timm Domtar Paper Co LLC
Jeff Zriny MCDEVCO Inc
PROGRAM & EVENT HIGHLIGHTS ANNUAL DINNER
SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
More than 230 members attended the 2018 Annual Dinner held at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Rothschild on September 13. Mike Nichols, President of the Badger Institute, was the keynote speaker at the event. President/CEO Dave Eckmann also spoke about his vision for the Chamber in the new program year.
In addition to the Business EXPO and the EXPO Business PM, this week included the Small Business of the Year Awards, a program on business transferal and the Small Business of the Year Recognition Ceremony.
THE BRANCH The Branch, a workforce development initiative introduced in the summer of 2016 saw fifteen college students participate in the spring 2019 session. This skills accelerator is built to retain talent in central Wisconsin.
BUSINESS PM EVENTS 22 networking events provided an opportunity for members to showcase their business in an informal ‘open house’ atmosphere. An average of 75 individuals attended each event.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The annual Golf Outing was held on June 24 at the Wausau Country Club in Wausau; 160 golfers participated.
More than 630 women attended the third annual conference to discover their highest level of personal and professional development. This conference was held on January 15 at the Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center in Rothschild.
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
37 graduates in our Leadership Excellence program were recognized on May 8 at a ceremony held at The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co in Wausau.
The Greater Wausau Economic Development Strategic Plan provides strategies and actions to enhance the region’s economic competitiveness and growth for the next ten years. The Plan outlined four desired outcomes: talent development and attraction; retention and expansion of existing industries; increased private sector investment and robust employment growth. The Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership (GWPP) was formed in 2019 to serve the leadership role in the implementation and execution of the Plan. The GWPP will fulfill four roles including the assessment and prioritization of Plan initiatives; the establishment of expectations and accountability related to actionable tactics in the plan; financial resource development for execution of the plan; and to assess the effectiveness of tactics.
GOLF OUTINGS
BUSINESS EXPO & EXPO BUSINESS PM RIBBON CUTTINGS 46 members took advantage of a ribbon cutting or ground breaking opportunity this year. These members celebrated one of the following successes at their business: broke ground or opened a new facility, moved to a new location, remodeled an existing facility, welcomed new ownership or underwent a significant re-branding or name change.
There were 281 booths set up for the more than 2,900 attendees at the 2019 Business EXPO on April 25. Visitors learned about the products and services provided by our members. Both the number of exhibitors and the number of attendees were new records for the event held at the Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center in Rothschild. Plus, hundreds attended the EXPO Business PM which took place after the EXPO at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Rothschild and included EXPO Best of Show recognition.
AWARDS AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD The Ambassador of the Year Award is presented to an Ambassador who contributes countless hours of service to the Chamber at ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, programs and events. The 2018 Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Cheryl Anderson.
RUDER WARE INNOVATOR AWARD IN MEMORY OF G. LANE WARE Created to honor Lane G. Ware and to recognize outstanding individuals who personify the spirit of entrepreneurship, this award is given to an individual who demonstrates excellence in the way they conduct business. Ron and Loreen Glaman, owners of Vino Latte, were recognized with the award at the 2018 Annual Dinner.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD PROGRAM ®
The ATHENA Leadership Award® Program recognizes members of the community who have played an important role in business, our community and the advancement of women. The ATHENA Award is presented to a person who has demonstrated professional excellence, taken part in community service, and actively assisted women in attaining leadership skills that have helped them advance professionally. The 2018 ATHENA Award was presented to, right above, Ann Dahlke of UMR. The ATHENA Young Professional Award is presented to a woman who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession, provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in her community and clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally. The 2018 ATHENA Young Professional Award was presented to, left above, Allison Liddle of Prosper Wealth Management and Allison Liddle Consulting.
The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes business growth, community involvement, and innovative efforts in the Wausau Region. This award is also an opportunity to review the best business practices of successful entrepreneurs and set a benchmark of excellence for the years to come. Luoma Design Solutions Inc, above left, (Business-to-Business), Wausau River District Inc, above right, (Charitable Non-Profit) and Ruppel Chiropractic, above, (Business-to-Consumer) were named as the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Small Businesses of the Year recipients. The awards have been given annually since 1981 and were presented during the Chamber’s Small Business Week in April.
BUSINESS EXPO BEST OF SHOW AWARDS The Best of Show recipients for Business EXPO 2019 were named at the EXPO Business PM on April 25. The winning members included Mid-Wisconsin Beverage Inc (Eats or Treats), Weston Lanes Inc and the Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center (Overall), Jim Kryshak Jewelers (Best Theme) and the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department (Attention Strategy).
STAFF
Sharon Baumann Special Projects Manager
Dave Eckmann, Ed.D. President/CEO
SPECIAL THANKS
James Gabower
Renae Krings
Membership Economic Development Manager Development Specialist
Stacy Livernash
Brian Otten
Judy Pitek
Sue Wokatsch
Programs & Events Director
Marketing Manager
Member Relations Manager
Finance Director
THANK YOU to all of our member businesses. We want to acknowledge all of the volunteers who assist with committees, programs and events.
We also want to thank all of our member businesses who sponsored our programs and events. They provided critical support for ongoing services and for the expansion of Chamber programs in the last year.
FINANCIALS REVENUES: Other 6% Programs 42%
Grants 2%
Affiliate Contracts >1%
Affiliate Contracts: Contracts with other organizations for the Chamber to provide administrative services. Programs: Educational, Golf Outing, Small Business Week
Membership Investment 50%
EXPENSES: Other 3%
Occupancy 7% Programs 24% Operations: Salaries and fringes, office expenses Occupancy: Rent, property tax, utilities
Operations 66%
Our Mission To strengthen our member businesses and enhance our community by building business success.
Our Vision We are the region’s indispensable source for business connections, opportunities, and solutions.
Contact Us Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce 200 Washington Street, Suite 120 Wausau, WI 54403 715-845-6231 www.wausauchamber.com
Minneapo St Paul
lis-
Eau Claire
WAUSAU
Green Bay Appleton
La Crosse
Madison
e Milwauke
IC ECONOM REGION WAUSAU PLAN GREATER ENT STRATEGIC E AND MCDEVCO ERC DEVELOPM CHAMBER OF COMM WAUSAU
REGION
The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce and key stakeholders have engaged economic development consulting firm TIP Strategies, based in Austin, in the creation of economic development strategic plan for the Greater Wausau Region. The plan was unveiled at the Economic Outlook program held on March 14, 2019. View the entire plan at WausauChamber.com