Event Agenda
2025 Program
"YOUR CHAMBER, ON A MISSION"
Presented by:
Kyle Sexton
Featured Speaker
Kyle Sexton is an award-winning marketing strategist and international speaker and author on the topics of membership development, marketing and innovation. He was recognized in 2011 by Chamber Executive magazine as one of the most influential innovators in the chamber of commerce industry. He is the chamber industry’s foremost authority on membership tiers, and guides organizations through the transition from a traditional dues method to value-based tiers.
His research and methods have been featured in industry publications, as well as national conventions and regional conferences. Kyle’s innovative social media accelerator has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and is the author of Follow You Anywhere and ReMembership – New Strategies for Remarkable Membership Organizations.
Program subject to change
Session Sponsored By
Monday, September 22
9:00AM - 12:00PM
Chamber Boot Camp for New(er) Executives
12:00PM - 12:30PM
Conference Registration and Networking
12:30PM - 12:45PM
Welcome and Introductions
Kurt Bauer
President & CEO, WMC
Mark Wilton
Executive Director, Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Becky Bartoszek
President & CEO, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
12:45PM - 1:45PM
60 Ideas in 60 Minutes: Best Practice Sharing
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Leadership: How to Stay Sharp
Wade Goodsell
*moderator
COO, WMC; President, WMC Foundation
Shar Hermanson
President & CEO, Forward Janesville
Sadie Howell
President & CEO, Envision Greater Fond du Lac
Taylor Pedersen
President & CEO, Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce
3:00PM
Closing
3:30PM - 6:00PM
Boat Cruise
6:30PM - 8:00PM
Dinner
8:00PM - 10:30PM
Bonfire and S'mores
Tuesday, September 23
7:00AM - 8:00AM
Business at Breakfast: Economy, Trade & Tariffs
Kurt Bauer
*facilitator
President & CEO, WMC - Wisconsin's Chamber
8:00AM - 8:15AM
Welcome and Introductions
Becky Bartoszek
President & CEO, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
8:15AM - 9:15AM
Keynote: Three Roles to Grow Your Chamber
Kyle Sexton
Speaker, Author & Marketing Strategist, ChamberThink Strategies
9:15AM - 11:15AM
Table Talks
Room Tax Dollars / Tourism
Mary McPhetridge
Chamber’s Role in Advocacy / Economic Development / Workforce Development
Amanda Payne
Non-Dues Revenue Ideas / Programs & Events
Becky Bartoszek
Membership / Tiered Dues
Sadie Howell
Managing the Board
Tina Thompson
Chamber Foundations
Michelle Grajkowski
11:30AM - 12:30PM
Lunch & Guest Speaker
12:45PM - 1:45PM
Breakout Sessions
"Chamber Unscripted"
Kyle Sexton
"Revving Your Revenue Stream"
Wade Goodsell
"Best Practices Using AI"
Laura Wiegert
2:00PM - 2:45PM
Repeat Breakout Sessions
"Chamber Unscripted"
Kyle Sexton
"Revving Your Revenue Stream"
Wade Goodsell
"Best Practices Using AI"
Laura Wiegert
3:00PM - 4:15PM
Free Time/Scavenger Hunt
4:30PM - 8:00PM
Cocktail Reception, Tour and Dinner at Vines & Rushes Winery
Fireside Chat: Wisconsin's Data Center Development: Opportunities & Outlook
Wade Goodsell
*host
COO, WMC; President, WMC Foundation
Tricia Braun
Executive Director, Wisconsin Data Center Coalition
8:00pm - 10:30PM
Bonfire and S'mores
Wednesday, September 24
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Business at Breakfast: Solving Homelessness Together
Mary McPhetridge
*facilitator
Executive Director, Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce
9:00AM - 9:15AM
Welcome & Introductions
Becky Bartoszek
President & CEO, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
9:15AM - 10:00AM
Keynote: Your Chamber, On a Mission
Kyle Sexton
Speaker, Author & Marketing Strategist, ChamberThink Strategies
10:00AM - 10:30AM
Wisconsin's Economic Competitiveness
Wade Goodsell
COO, WMC; President, WMC Foundation
10:45AM - 11:30AM
Defending Free Enterprise
Courtney Felts
SVP, Executive Communications & Managing Director of New Fight for Free Enterprise, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
11:30Am - 11:45AM
Unanswered Questions and Connections
11:45aM
Closing Remarks & Adjourn
Becky Bartoszek
President & CEO, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
Pricing
Your WCCE Conference & Retreat registration includes educational programming, meals, cocktail receptions and dinners, conference materials and travel during the event. Hotel and travel to/from the resort are on your own.
-
Pre-Conference: Chamber Boot Camp (Member) $50
Pre Conference: Chamber Boot Camp (Non-Member): $75
-
Conference Individual (Member) *early bird $399
Conference Individual (Non-Member): $499
-
Conference Individual (Member) *after August 31 $499
Conference Individual (Non-Member): $599
-
Additional Member from the Same Chamber $299
-
Guest (Significant Other) $250
Lodging
ROOM BLOCK
A room block has been reserved at the Heidel House Resort for Monday and Tuesday nights for our group. The special room rate is $169 (standard) or $179 (lakeview) per night, plus tax. Please reference “WCCE” when you call (920) 807-0300 and select option #2 and option #2 again. You may also book your reservation online by clicking here. The cutoff date is August 23rd. To learn more about the resort, please visit www.heidelhouse.com.
Sponsors
Please contact Susan Nyffenegger for more information on sponsorships available and how you can help support this event, (608) 258-3400.
Conference Sponsor
EVENT Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor
Registration Sponsor
AV Sponsor
