April 27, 2023

Inspiring the future of the Fox Cities at Career Expo

Our 2023 Future Fox Cities Career Expo was a hit! We received such wonderful feedback, including the following from an employer:

"This is such an excellent opportunity for students and employers alike. The students are very fortunate to have an event like this. Having the ability to explore the different industries and companies in the Fox Cities area at a young age is priceless. For the employers, it gives us a chance to be impressionable on the young minds, you never know who you will hear from years down the line!"

If you weren't able to attend the expo, check out the photos below.

View photos from the expo

Chamber Quick Poll

When do you see your organization using AI in your operations?

Within 6 months

Within 1 year

Within 2 - 5 years

Never

Last Week's Quick Poll Results

Which roundtable category most interests you?

Women in business - 39.3%
Entrepreneurs - 25.2%
Human Resources - 20.6%
Wellness / Safety - 15%

Your Business Advocate Blog

Joint Finance Committee to Begin Budget Votes

Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam), Co-Chair of the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, expects the committee to begin voting on budget motions next week. They will be in every Tuesday and Thursday until the beginning to middle of June, depending on how deliberations go. This week they held the final public listening session in Minocqua.

Read the full blog post here.

Jon Turke

Vice President of Government Affairs

jturke@foxcitieschamber.com

Should your small business use AI for Search Engine Optimization? YES!

Periodically, the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) gurus come out and tell everyone some <insert noun> is changing SEO forever. Add that to the nearly constant adjustments search engines are making to their algorithms, and hitting the moving target of organic ranking success becomes as impossible as winning a giant stuffed animal at a carnival.

Sure, you see it happen on occasion, but never to you. This article is going to tell you that artificial intelligence (AI) will forever change SEO. We know. You’ve heard claims like this before, but this time it’s true. Because for once we’re leveraging machine learning against the machine. It’s a war of the alphabet AI versus SEO and here’s why it’s changing the search landscape forever. Read the full Thought Leader blog.

Hear about Wisconsin State Budget at Public Policy Forum

Our next Public Policy Forum will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 8 - 9 a.m. and will focus on the 2023 Wisconsin State Budget. Jason Stein, Vice President and Research Director at the Wisconsin Policy Forum, will provide an overview and insights on the state budget and finances in general. The program will be held at the FVTC Bordini Center in Appleton. The event is free for Chamber members, and $20 for non-members.

Chamber is working to help small businesses with SBDC

Watch the Local 5 Live segment

Partner with a non-profit and apply to be a food vendor at Octoberfest!

Apply to become a food vendor at Appleton's Octoberfest on September 30! We are proud of the tradition this festival brings to the community and are thrilled to offer area organizations the opportunity to participate. Join the fun and apply to be a part of this impactful community event. Learn more and apply here.

Sponsor a hole at the PULSE Mini Golf Outing

Put your organization in front of young professionals by becoming a Hole Sponsor at PULSE's Mini Golf Outing on June 5. Sponsorship is $100 per hole and includes signage at the start of the hole and recognition on social media and in the PULSEPOST e-newsletter. You may choose to offer giveaway items, coupons, discounts, etc. to promote your company. For more information contact PULSE Director Jodie Federwitz at jfederwitz@foxcitieschamber.com.

Be proactive in taking care of your mental health and join us for a Dale Carnegie training session on 'Managing Stress & Worry' on May 16 from 8 - 10 AM. This training session is a free, member exclusive Chamber offer. Sign up for the session here.

Make Your Small Business More Accessible

Join us for a Grow with Google Webinar on how to 'Make Your Small Business More Accessible'!

The webinar is free for anyone to attend. Sign up and make your small business more accessible here.

Medicaid unwinding and how to support your employees

Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus continuous eligibility ended on March 31, 2023. It is estimated that 300,000 people in Wisconsin may lose their state health coverage and will need to transition to some other form of insurance because of this change.

Attend this upcoming webinar on May 18th from 9 - 10:30 a.m. on 'Understanding the Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus Unwinding Period and How to Support Your Employees' presented by Covering Wisconsin. Register here.

What we're reading

State-wide public school enrollment continues to decline in 2022-2023 school year

Wisconsin video game sector ‘ripe for growth,’ advocate says

Wisconsin Assembly to vote on limits for unemployment aid

Chamber Member News

Fox Valley Technical College received a 2022 Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations at the council’s national conference.

Dura-Last® Inc. Honors Nasi Roofing with Eagle Award during its National Sales Seminar.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is proud to announce NiteLite Presents: Derek Hough: Symphony of Dance.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center announced a digital lottery for HAMILTON tickets.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is proud to announce its new series, the Viewpoint Speaker Series.

People Making Headlines

Ben Rehme, journeyman tool and die maker at AriensCo in Brillion has been named the recipient of the Fox Valley Technical College 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award.

Seven emerging leaders from the New North region have been selected to the statewide cohort of the Forward 48 leadership program.

Verve has announced the hire of Glen Stiteley as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Verve is pleased to announce the hire of Cari Larsen as Controller.