YEAR IN REVIEW

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.

The 42 Group LLC

Accuracy Machine - Merrill

Adaptive Communities Inc

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin - Wausau

Allison Liddle Consulting

American Cancer Society - Wausau

Apothecary by H4H

Big Fat Designs 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

Exclamation Services LLC

EXIT Midstate Realty

Foundation Finance Company LLC

GC Supply LLC

Get Well Health Services LLC

Glaser Dental SC

Heartland Communications Group LLC - WRJO/WERL - WCYE/WHOH - WATW/WBSZ/WJJH/WNXR

Hi Restaurant (Hi Yummy LLC)

Holiday Inn Express - Weston

HOM Furniture - Wausau

Hutch’s Bar

IFLEED Institute of Math and Science LLC

Inner Piece Interiors

Innovative Hydraulics LLC

Jackson Hewitt

JET Accounting & Consulting Service LLC

Kitchen Tune-Up - Stevens Point

The Lighthouse Salon Inc

Lodge Kohler

Lumen Advisory Group LLC

Mad City Windows and Baths

Mary Kay Cosmetics

Mosinee Brewing Company

New York Life - Josh Preiser

Newton Electric Corp

NextHome Leading Edge

Norde Memorials

Northcentral Employers Healthcare Alliance, Inc.

NoWorries Haven

Patriot K9s of Wisconsin Inc

Peaceful Solutions Counseling Inc - Wausau

Pearl Engineering Corporation - Wausau

The Plaza Hotel & Suites

Red Robin Burgers & Brews - Wausau

Rib Mountain Glass Inc

Rondele Ranch

Sapphire Salon

SC Swiderski Land Company LLC

The Scrub and Shoe Company

Sheroes Among Us

Silas Mahner

Silver Lake College of the Holy Family - Manitowoc

Spectratech Services Corp

Star Environmental Inc

State Farm - Ryan Hanson Insurance Agency Inc

Straight Shot Investment Group LLC

Taylor Enterprises of Wisconsin Inc

TDS Telecom - Mosinee

Titus Talent Strategies

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

Wenger Equipment LLC

Vantage Agora

Zipperer Financial LLC

NEW MEMBERS

OFFICERS2018-2019

Rebecca Frisch Marathon County Conservation, Planning & Zoning

Bill GleasonRetired

Robin HeggRiver Valley Bank

Al LancasterWSAW/WZAW

Paul LaPreeMiron Constructon Co Inc

Yengyee LorFaithful Consulting LLC

Alfred NakhlaAssociated Bank

BOARDOF DIRECTORS2018-2019 Cole Bruner

Buska Wealth Management LLC

Keri Anne Connaughty CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

JoAnn Draeger Nicolet National Bank

Thomas Felch J & D Tube Benders Inc

Ted Fox Ameriprise Financial - Cornerstone Advisors

Tom Frank Greenheck

Dawn Bernatz Church Mutual Insurance Company

Tammy PestkaAnsay & Associates

Craig Timm Domtar Paper Co LLC

Jeff ZrinyMCDEVCO Inc

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

President/CEO

Jack Hoogendyk Hope Life Center

Director at Large

Nicole WilliamsQPS Employment Group

Director at Large

ANNUAL DINNERMore 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.

THE BRANCHThe 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 EVENTS22 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.

GOLF OUTINGSThe annual Golf Outing was held on June 24 at the Wausau Country Club in Wausau; 160 golfers participated.

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE37 graduates in our Leadership Excellence program were recognized on May 8 at a ceremony held at The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co in Wausau.

RIBBON CUTTINGS46 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.

SMALL BUSINESS WEEKIn 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.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCEMore than 630 women attended the third annual conference to dis-cover their highest level of personal and professional development. This conference was held on January 15 at the Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center in Rothschild.

WORKFORCE HUBThis initiative offered multiple opportunities for business, education and community leaders to connect and facilitated partnerships to address the region’s workforce issues. The Workforce Hub played a major role informing the Discovery Phase of the Economic Development Strate-gic Plan and Talent Recruitment Website planning through roundtable discussions and interactive workshops.

BUSINESS EXPO & EXPO BUSINESS PMThere 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.

PROGRAM & EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARDThe 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 WARECreated 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.

ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD® PROGRAMThe 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.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDSThe 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 AWARDSThe 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).

AWARDS

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.

SPECIAL THANKS

STAFF

Sharon Baumann

Special Projects Manager

James Gabower

Membership Development Manager

Dave Eckmann, Ed.D.

President/CEO

Stacy Livernash

Programs & Events Director

Brian Otten

Marketing Manager

Judy Pitek

Member Relations Manager

Renae Krings

Economic Development Specialist

Sue Wokatsch

Finance Director

FINANCIALSREVENUES:

EXPENSES:

MembershipInvestment50%

Affiliate Contracts >1%Programs 42%

Other 6%

Operations66%

Programs 24%

Occupancy 7%Other 3%

Affiliate Contracts: Contracts with other organizations for the Chamber to provide administrative services.

Programs: Educational, Golf Outing, Small Business Week

Operations: Salaries and fringes, office expenses

Occupancy: Rent, property tax, utilities

Grants 2%

Our MissionTo strengthen our member businesses and

enhance our community by building business success.

Our VisionWe are the region’s indispensable source for business

connections, opportunities, and solutions.

Contact UsWausau Region Chamber of Commerce

200 Washington Street, Suite 120Wausau, WI 54403

715-845-6231www.wausauchamber.com

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. The plan provides strategies and actions to enhance the region’s economic competitiveness and growth for the next ten years. One element in the plan excecuted in 2019 was the creation of the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership.

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