2015-10 Newsletter - La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce

OCTOBER 2015
Attend the Expo
Thursday, October 29, 2015
La Crosse Center • South Hall A & B
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with
Viterbo University and GiANT Worldwide to empower and equip
your leadership and the health of your team.
The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo is
the area’s largest business-to-business trade show with more
than 100 booths representing area businesses.
From Viterbo you will learn “The Positive Power of Servant
Leadership” with four themes -- servant leadership that is timely
and timeless, ethical, engaging to leaders and followers, and
effective in its practice. You’ll then breakout into servant
leadership and customer service sessions.
Last year, 44 percent of Expo attendees connected with a business
that they never knew existed, and 64-percent felt the Expo
reinforced existing relationships. The Exhibit Floor is open from
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The exhibit
floor will be closed from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. for the luncheon.
From GiANT, you will elevate your level of self-awareness and
leadership competence to better deal with your daily
leadership challenges. The results improve team health,
alignment and overall capacity toward your personal and
organizational mission and vision.
Breakfast and luncheon tickets are still available. Sue
Kolve-Feehan, Owner of Sue Kolve’s Salon & Day Spa and The
Salon Professional Academy, is the featured breakfast presenter.
Dr. Andrew Temte, CFA, President, Kaplan Professional Education,
is the featured luncheon presenter.
Friday, October 23, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Viterbo Nursing Center (10th & Jackson Streets, La Crosse)
Registration: $109 per person.
Teams of five or more, contact the Chamber Office for a
10% discount code.
Online registration at www.lacrossechamber.com.
Mark Your Calendar!
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In
This
Issue:
Thursday, October 8
5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Washburn On The Park
More information on Page 2!
2 UPCOMING EVENTS
3 NEW MEMBERS
5 CONNECTING MEMBERS TO MEMBERS
6 RIBBON CUTTINGS & GROUND BREAKINGS
Pre-registration is required for the breakfast and luncheon. Cost
for the breakfast is $15 for members and $25 for non-members.
Cost for the luncheon is $25 for members and $35 for
non-members. Visit www.lacrossechamber.com to register.
Registration deadline is Thursday, October 22.
Join Us for Oktoberfest in the Capitol
The La Crosse Chamber will take
a bus load of fun-loving business
leaders to Madison on Wednesday,
October 21 where through
La Crosse Area
experienced teams, you will bring
the issues important to our area
to all the elected officials and
in the Capitol
departments. If you’ve never done
this before, it is the most
memorable way to advocate for our region in the most
light-hearted way. The cost is $50 and includes transportation and
the evening gala. For registration information, click on
the link on the homepage of www.lacrossechamber.com.
608.784.4880
[email protected]
www.lacrossechamber.com
2015 La Crosse Area
Chamber Leadership
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jack Peplinski - Chair
Altra Federal Credit Union
Joe Kruse - Chair-Elect
Mayo Clinic Health System
Bruce Friell - Past Chair
Gundersen Health System
Ed Jaekel, CPA - Treasurer
JRM CPAs, LLC
Forrest Moe
Schomburg Refrigeration Co., Inc.
Cindy Prindle
Western Technical College
Dan Wettstein
Wettstein’s
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lynn Bruns
I+S Group, Inc.
Kerstin Boudreau
Metre
Chris Butler
Verve, a Credit Union
Dave Clements - Ex-Officio
La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Mike Desmond
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse
Joel Guberud
Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc.
James Hill - Ex-Officio
La Crosse Area Development Corporation
Scott Kish
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, Inc.
Sue Kolve-Feehan
The Salon Professional Academy
Robin Moses - Ex-Officio
Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. (DMI)
Steven Nicolai
Nicolai Apartments
Annette O’Hern
School District of La Crosse
Joseph Poehling
First Supply, LLC
Brandon Prinsen
Johns, Flaherty & Collins, SC
JoAnn Steffes
Steffes HR Advantage
Jeff Wieser
Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc.
Blake Winters
Pischke Motors of La Crosse, Inc.
CHAMBER STAFF
Vicki Markussen, Executive Director
608-784-4880, Ext. 6
[email protected]
Dawn Honken, Office Manager
608-784-4880, Ext. 2
[email protected]
Janet Loeffler, Marketing & Events Director
608-784-4880, Ext. 4
[email protected]
Kathy Peterson, Membership Director
608-784-4880, Ext. 5
[email protected]
Bobbi Schoh, Finance Director
608-784-4880. Ext. 3
[email protected]
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Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 | YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING LUNCHEON
HR for the Young Professional
presented by JoAnn Steffes, Steffes HR Advantage
La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce
601 7th Street N., La Crosse
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Program cost is $10 (includes lunch).
Young Professionals
of the
C oulee R egion
Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. Register online at
www.lacrossechamber.com or contact Bobbi Schoh at
608-784-4880. RSVPs are required.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 | BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
sponsored by
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ENJOY A FALL FESTIVAL
•
REFRESHMENTS
•
DOOR PRIZES
W
Washburn
On The Park
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
5:15 PM – 6:30 PM
801 Main Street • La Crosse, WI
Large parking lot in back, off of 9th Street.
ADMISSION IS FREE! (PLEASE PROVIDE A BUSINESS CARD.)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 | CRACKER BARREL: THE FORUM
This networking opportunity gets you closer to your local
elected officials and provides an opportunity for open, candid
discussions on issues of concern.
Guest Speaker: Representative Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah)
La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce
601 7th Street N., La Crosse
7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Cost – Registrations by Thursday, October 8: $10 for members and
$12 for non-members (includes breakfast buffet). Registrations after
Thursday, October 8: $15 for members and $17 for non-members.
(breakfast buffet not guaranteed).
Refunds will not be given after Thursday, October 8. No shows will be invoiced.
YPCR Quarterly Social Bean Bag Tournament was Fun for All
The Young Professionals of the Coulee
Region hosted a bean bag tournament at
Shenanigan’s for their quarterly social. Over
40 young professionals gathered for some
competitive fun and networking. Thanks goes
to Shenanigan’s for hosting a great event!
To join YPCR, visit www.lacrossechamber.com
for an application or contact Bobbi Schoh at
[email protected] or
608-784-4880, Ext. 3.
Special thanks to our 2015 YPCR Corporate Sponsors:
In addition to the tournament, attendees learned
more about Shenanigan’s story.
Welcome
New Members
Hampton Inn & Suites
511 3rd Street N.
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-791-4004
www.hamptonlacrossedowntown.com
New 126-room hotel with spacious
suites, complimentary hot breakfast,
pool, fitness room and Hamtpon Inn's
100% guarantee. Located at the gateway
to downtown La Crosse.
Amy Penchi, General Manager
Laurie Pfaff, Director of Sales
Melisa Valencia, Assistant General
Manager
Hotels/Motels/Inns
Labor Ready, Inc.
1107 Liberty Street
La Crosse, WI 54603
608-782-0452
www.laborready.com
Temporary staffing company. Our
business model is on demand. We also
do temp to hire and staffing. We put
people to work!
Rick Bartlett, District Manager
Steve Ulbrich, Branch Manager
Employment Agencies
Labor Ready, Inc.
313 Mankato Drive
Winona, MN 55987
507-454-4582
Temporary staffing company. Our
business model is on demand. We also
do temp to hire and staffing. We put
people to work!
Rick Bartlett, District Manager
Steve Ulbrich, Branch Manager
Employment Agencies
Root Down Yoga Studio
1217 Caledonia Street, Suite A
La Crosse, WI 54603
608-519-2467
www.rootdownyogastudio.com
La Crosse's first and only dedicated
heated yoga studio. A community
welcoming yoga practitioners of any age
or experience! Come practice with us!
Amanda Roush, Co-Owner
Nick Roush, Co-Owner
Health & Wellness
Salon Zeyta
1430 Main Street
Onalaska, WI 54650
608-781-4730
www.salonzeyta.com
Where quality and comfort meet art and
style. Specializing in hair, cosmetology,
massage. The nail department
specializes in acrylics, gels and gel
polish, transforming hands and feet.
Theresa Paddock, Owner/Stylist
Beauty
Supernal Software, LLC
127 Marina Drive
La Crosse, WI 54603
608-785-7101
www.supernal.com
Supernal builds risk and compliance
management software for banks and
credit unions. Their software helps them
manage their work, make strong
decisions and protect themselves.
Peter Griffith, President
Computer Software
Stansfield Vending, Inc.
3172 Berlin Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-782-7181
www.stansfieldvending.com
Coin-operated amusement machines
and ATMs.
Diane Cleary, Operations Coordinator
Vending Services
Tri-County Connections
Galesville, WI 54630
Discover the power of networking! We
confidently share ideas, contacts and
business referrals to committed
professionals just like you. For more
information, email us at
[email protected].
Sarah Livermore
Business Associations
Why You Should Care About Madison on October 21
By Vicki Markussen, Executive Director
The first time I traveled to Madison, I was
representing the Builders Association to
be the voice of the building industry. I
witnessed businesses telling our elected
officials the impact of bills on their
business and the competitiveness — i.e.
their ability to remain in business. It was
eye-opening to hear the complexity and,
in some cases, time that a government
with the best of intentions can add to
doing business.
These visits to Madison and now to
Washington DC each year as executive
director of the La Crosse Area Chamber
continue to add layers to the respect I
already have for business owners operating
in a world that needs reminding that broad,
paint-brush solutions may not be the best
way to react to isolated problems. To their
credit, our elected officials are constantly
on a quest to discover the “unintended
consequences,” created by bills.
I was able to ride the coat-tails of area
business leaders on my first visit to
Madison. It was eye-opening and
fascinating to see democracy in action, to
realize that I would never (ever) feel the
call to elected office, and to respect those
thick-skinned individuals who do.
Democracy is messy. There are as many
opinions as words spoken. To see it
up-close, in-action is truly witnessing our
constitution as a living and breathing
document.
You should consider attending the
October 21 Oktoberfest because it is your
chance to ride the coat-tails of the
Chamber or one of the other groups we
partner with for this trip (La Crosse Area
Development Corporation, Explore
La Crosse – a.k.a. Convention & Visitors
Bureau, Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. and
7 Rivers Alliance).
Come see democracy in action in the
most low-keyed setting in which to do
it. It’s politics-lite as you walk the Capitol
with a polka-playing accordion and
Oktoberfest royalty that come to spread
good cheer throughout the Capitol.
It is guaranteed to be an enlightening
experience for your business and with
those whom you may work.
www.lacrossechamber.com
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Government
Action Tracking
September Cracker Barrel: The Forum Recap
Senator Jennifer
Shilling, Rep.
Jill Billings, and
Rep. Steve Doyle
spoke of
upcoming
Madison bills at
the September
Cracker Barrel: The
Forum on topics
such as fetal tissue,
sales tax, John Doe
investigations,
defunding Planned Parenthood, high capacity wells, WEDC reforms, train safety, and
safe harbor (human trafficking).
La Crosse Area
in the Capitol
October 21, 2015
For more registration information,
click on the link on the homepage of
www.lacrossechamber.com.!
New La Crosse City Planner
Jason Gilman shared his
vision for the city including
workforce, use of data to
drive decisions, better use
of citizen volunteers, new
partnerships, urban
investment, flood plains,
Rose Street reinvestment,
transportation, and
much more at The Cracker
Barrel: The Forum.
OSHA 30-HOUR VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE
COURSE FOR GENERAL INDUSTRY
New and experienced safety, health and compliance professionals, as well as personnel who have a
wide range of responsibilities, such as human resource managers, plant managers and safety
committee members, will benefit from the program.
Key Topics/Goals/Objectives
• Introduction to OSHAct/OSHA Standards
• OSHA Inspections/Citations/Penalties
• Industrial Hygiene
• Hazardous Materials (Subpart H)
• Material Handling & Storage (Subpart N)
• Portable Tools (Subpart P)
• Personal Protective Equipment (Subpart I)
• Electrical (Subpart S)
• Means of Egress/Fire Protection (Subparts E & L)
• Sanitation/Safety Signs/First Aid (Subparts J & K)
• Recordkeeping
• Safety Program Management Guidelines
• Hazard Communication Standard
• Walking/Working Surfaces (Subpart D)
• Machine Guarding (Subpart O)
• Welding (Subpart Q)
• Hearing Conservation (Subpart G)
• Electrical Safety-Related Work Practice,
Lockout/Tagout
• Permit Required Confined Spaces
Session location, dates and times
Tuesday-Friday, November 3-6, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day,
at Gundersen Health System – Onalaska Clinic
Fee for the 4-day course is $650 per person, which includes
continental breakfasts, lunches and both required publications.
The number of participants is limited so make your reservation online or by phone.
Register at: gundersenhealth.org/business
To register by phone, call Gundersen Business Health Services
via BusinessLink at (800) 731-4431 or (608) 775-4431.
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Inc. | Gundersen Clinic, Ltd.
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Connecting Members
to Members
American Family Insurance - Jason
Lassen Agency - Lindsay Braatz, Kevin
Weis, Matt Haffemann, and Dillon Bean
will share their knowledge on the home
buying process. On October 21, 5:30 p.m.,
at Gerrard Hoeschler’s Onalaska location.
Get assistance with finding, buying and
insuring your first home!
Gerrard-Hoeschler Realtors, Inc.
launched their new website at
www.ghrealtors.com. New and improved
property search features, state-of-the-art
interactive mapping, side-by-side
property comparisons, turn by turn
directions, My GH Home Search-Save
your searches, receive email alerts for
open houses, new listings, price changes.
Back by popular demand! Misty’s Dance
Unlimited is offering danceABILIITIES
on Saturday, November 7, 14, 21 and
December 5 from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
DanceABILITIES is a FREE outreach of
Misty’s Dance Unlimited in partnership
with the Physical Therapy Department
of UW-L. For more information, contact
www.mistysdance.com or 608-779-4642.
Hawkins Ash CPAs, LLP is offering form
1095 preparation and assistance for 2015.
These forms are a new requirement for
certain employers under the Affordable
Care Act. Contact Greg Kenworthy at
[email protected] if
interested or if you need more information.
Taylor Barr was named Rookie of The
Month for August. He is associated with
Mutual of Omaha's Eric Guth Division
Office, located in La Crosse. This award
is given to the top new representative
within the agency with outstanding sales
and service.
Associated Bank announces the hiring
of Timothy Schadeberg as president of
its La Crosse Community Market. The
financial services industry veteran will
oversee a region that includes
Associated’s branches in La Crosse,
Holmen, Onalaska and Viroqua. Contact
Timothy at 608-793-3833.
Angie Campbell has been promoted to
Partner-In-Charge of the Housing
Division at the La Crosse office of
Hawkins Ash CPAs, LLP effective
October 1. Angie will oversee the
development of the firm’s market
presence and growth of the Housing
Division employees.
Benson Management is honored to
announce the completion of their 20th
student apartment building located at
509 N. 12th Street. This 18-unit
apartment building offers college
students spacious two and three
bedroom units with all the modern
comforts of home.
Johns, Flaherty & Collins, SC presents
its annual employment law seminar on
October 20, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., at the
Lunda Center, Western Technical College.
The seminar is free and open to all area
employers. Registration is requested by
October 13. Visit www.johnsflaherty.com/
employmentseminar.
Naturally Aligned Chiropractic &
Wellness will have a Grand Opening
celebration on October 14 from
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at 648 2nd Avenue
N., Onalaska. Please join them for
appetizers, refreshments, and a chance
to meet Dr. Kasey Heichel. We'd love to
see you there! For more information,
contact 608-519-8080.
CenturyLink has named Duane Ring
senior vice president of global field
operations. Ring will be responsible
for global data center operations that
support CenturyLink cloud, hosting and
managed services businesses at more
than 55 data centers located in North
America, Europe and Asia.
The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra is
seeking sponsors for their 26th Annual
Valentine Ball at the Cargill Room on
February 13. The theme this year is “Love
Stories.” Share your special story with us
for a chance to win 2 tickets to the event.
Visit www.facebook.com/lacrossesymphony
or contact 608-783-2121.
In celebration of International Credit
Union Day, Co-op Credit Union will be
sponsoring a brat cookout on Thursday,
October 15, 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at
the La Crosse Post Office. A suggested
goodwill donation is $3. All profits will
benefit La Crosse Big Brothers Big Sisters
organization.
The Local Lupus Alliance, Inc. welcomes
three new board members - Christopher
G. Mayne, Ph.D., Biomedical Science
Educator and Researcher, Karolee
Behringer, Community Health Education
Manager and Sam Scinta, President and
Publisher of Fulcrum Publishing. For more
information, visit www.locallupus.org.
The County of La Crosse Emergency
Management is hosting a “Back to
Business” workshop at the Cargill Center
on October 7. Representatives from area
businesses and non-profit organizations
are encouraged to attend. The workshop
is FREE and lunch is provided.
Marco, Inc. has been named #79 on
The Channel Company’s 2015 CRN Fast
Growth 150 list. Based on gross revenue
over the two-year period from 2012 to
2014, The Fast Growth 150 list ranks
solution providers based in North
America with significant economic
growth. Visit http://crn.com/fastgrowth.
We are very excited to recognize the
achievement by Moriah Cody and Craig
Hanson, Financial Advisors with Hanson
& Associates a private wealth practice of
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for
obtaining their CLTC designation, making
them industry experts in helping clients
solve their long-term care needs.
The Salvation Army is encouraging
businesses and individuals to ring bells.
Funds generated feed the hungry and
shelter the homeless. Sign up at
www.bells2ring.org.
Schmidty's Bar & Restaurant will be
celebrating 60 years from October 22-25.
Join them for great food and drink
specials, Schmidty's and La Crosse trivia,
music and prizes. Also, special video
nights for Arlene & Norbert Schmidt &
Steve Beyer. For more details, contact
608-788-5110.
Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference
Center invites you to celebrate 10 years
in La Crosse on Thursday, October 15!
Enjoy an evening of prizes, complimentary
appetizers and beverages. Ribbon cutting
at 5:00 p.m. Live music by Under Paris
Skies from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Plan your education and career
advancement at Viterbo University’s
Adult Education Fair on Thursday,
November 5 in Viterbo’s Reinhart Center
Board Room from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Contact [email protected],
1-888-VITERBO or visit
www.viterbo.edu/adult-learning.
www.lacrossechamber.com
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Ribbon Cuttings
& Ground Breakings
6
Shenanigans held a ribbon cutting ceremony as part of their grand
opening event for their new banquet facility Celebration on the River.
Shenanigans is located at 2100 Dawson Avenue in La Crosse.
Altra Federal Credit Union held a ribbon cutting ceremony to
celebrate the completion of their expansion project at the Onalaska
Branch, located at 1807 East Main Street.
Onalaska Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center celebrated their
one-year anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Their offices are
located at 1115 Riders Club Road in Onalaska.
Elevate Media Group held a ribbon cutting to celebrate their one-year
anniversary and the recent move to their new office location at
126 5th Avenue South, Suite 102 in Downtown La Crosse.
Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions, LLC broke ground on their Aguilera
apartment, retail and office development at 13th and Badger, La Crosse.
The Charmant Hotel held a ribbon cutting to celebrate their grand
opening. The Charmant boutique hotel is located at 101 State Street in
Downtown La Crosse.
SNOOZE BUTTON?
IN YOUR DREAMS.
Banking should be the last thing on your mind when you’re busy. Our flexibility and
quick decision-making will help you get the tailored financial solutions you need so
you can focus on achieving your business goals. Come see us today.
WORK HARD. BANK EASY.
Onalaska • 782-6711
800-908-BANK (2265)
Bremer.com
Member FDIC. © 2015 Bremer Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.
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September Business After Hours
Hosted by Merchants Bank
Thanks to all who attended the September Business
After Hours, which was sponsored by Merchants Bank.
Merchants Bank is located at 3140 Market Place in
Onalska.
The event is a great way to develop your business
contact network.
Special thanks to Steve Christiansen and his staff for
hosting a great event!
Attendees enjoyed refreshments and great networking!
www.lacrossechamber.com
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Presorted Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
La Crosse, WI
Permit No. 219
601 7th Street N. • La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608-784-4880 • Fax: 608-784-4919
[email protected]
www.lacrossechamber.com
The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce proudly
thanks our 2015 Platinum, Gold and Silver Sponsors
for their support!
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS