January 12, 2022

PULSE Young Professional membership now free; new corporate YP certification program launched

A group shot of young professionals at Miller Electric, the first company to receive classification as a Champion of Young Professionals.

With a new year comes some exciting new changes for PULSE Young Professionals. The Chamber has announced that membership in its YP program is now free. Additionally, they have launched a corporate “Champion of Young Professionals” program.

“PULSE is free in ’23!” said Jodie Federwitz, director of PULSE. “We will no longer be charging a membership fee for our PULSE Young Professionals group. In doing this we hope to remove any barriers that may have prevented someone from joining PULSE, so all YPs in the Fox Cities can benefit from the program.”

The Chamber has also launched a Champion of Young Professionals program. Any Fox Cities company can apply to be classified as a YP champion and pledge to provide support and a positive work environment for YPs within their company. Miller Electric is the first company to sign up. “Here at Miller Electric we are supportive of our young professionals in the workplace and want to ensure a culture that encourages their growth and professional development,” said Tara Wickersheim, Platform Controller, Commercial Welding, at Miller. “Being a Champion of Young Professionals is one way we can promote that in our talent attraction efforts.” Read the full announcement here.

Become a PULSE Member

Apply to be a Champion of Young Professionals

Chamber Quick Poll

We will be launching a business blog; which of these articles you would be most likely to read?

Creating a winning workplace culture

Marketing your business on a shoestring

How to be a green company

Create a successful brand identity

Succession planning for your business

Last Week's Quick Poll Results

What is your business's main goal for 2023?

Boost sales - 28.3%
Improve online presence - 22.8%
Increase brand awareness - 17.4%
Employee hiring and retention - 17.4%
Expand operations - 14.1%

Your Business Advocate Blog

Evers, Legislature Propose Tax Reform

The most important piece of legislation state officials will work on during their two-year session is the state budget, and deliberations kick off immediately. In fact, the various executive agencies have been working on crafting their budgets since last Fall, and Governor Evers will introduce his final proposal in February.

With a projected $6 billion surplus, both the governor and legislators have a lot of ideas of how to spend that money, and both would allocate a significant chunk of those dollars to tax cuts. Of course, both sides have their own views of the best way to send money back to you.

Read the full blog post here.

Jon Turke

Vice President of Government Affairs

jturke@foxcitieschamber.com

Celebrate our Lifetime Achievement Award winners

Get your tickets for our Celebrate Awards Dinner now and enjoy a wonderful meal, auction, entertainment, and help celebrate our winners!

Gus A. Zuehlke Distinguished Service Award: Dennis Jochman (top left)
Joyce Bytof Exceptional Mentor Award: Marcia Erdman (top right)
ATHENA Leadership Award®: Laurie Butz (bottom left)
Fox Cities Business Leader Hall of Fame: Terry Timm (bottom right)

Buy your ticket to Celebrate

Maximize your Chamber membership

Register for Membership Maximizer to gain greater insight into the benefits your Chamber membership brings! You'll learn how the Chamber can help you promote your business, network, access resources, develop professionally, and have a voice in the business community.

The event is being held on February 21 from 7:30 - 9 AM at the Grand Meridian.

Grow your engagement with the Chamber and discover new opportunities in this orientation event for new members or current members who may want a refresher. Our goal is to help you grow and thrive, because when you succeed, we succeed!

How to Position Your Restaurant for Success in 2023

The Fox Cities Chamber is collaborating with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer a webinar specifically for local restaurants looking to grow their business. “How to Position Your Restaurant for Success in 2023” will be held virtually on Tuesday, January 24, at 9 AM. The program is open to any restaurant in the Fox Cities; you do not need to be a Chamber member to participate, but we do ask that you register in advance. Read the full news release here.

Learn more / Register

Energy Resources for Fox Cities Businesses

With rising energy costs this winter, Focus on Energy is helping businesses save. Businesses can benefit from their financial incentives and programs for energy efficiency/renewables by lowering their energy costs, supporting local contractors, and improving infrastructure all while promoting sustainability that customers value. Learn more here.

Calling all Wisconsin tech entrepreneurs: 20th annual Governor’s Business Plan Contest

The Governor's Business Plan Contest is designed to encourage entrepreneurs in the startup stage of tech-enabled businesses in Wisconsin, and links up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a statewide network of community resources, expert advice and mentoring, management talent and possible sources of capital. Over time, the contest has led to valuable public and media exposure for the top business plans and spurred economic growth in Wisconsin.

The free, online deadline for the initial 250-word submission is Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at 5:00 PM. Learn more here.

What we're reading

Housing shortage in Wisconsin expected to get worse over the next decade

Feds propose ‘student loan safety net’ alongside forgiveness

Oil and gas are back and booming

Chamber Member News

Gunderson Uniform & Linen Rental celebrates 70 years.

Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI) completed its annual holiday giving campaign, totaling $11,000 in donations to three charitable organizations.

Deadline for Fox Cities Economic Outlook Survey approaching.

People Making Headlines

Menasha Corporation President and CEO Jim Kotek has been included in BizTimes Milwaukee’s inaugural Wisconsin 275.

Red Shoes Inc. hired Kailin Schumacher as an account coordinator.

Juan Corpus, an established leader of diversity initiatives within the region, will join New North Inc. as Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.