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FOND DU LAC AREA ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCE
Promoting commerce n Developing partnerships n Creating opportunities n Building community
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NEW MEMBERS
Strengthen our community
by supporting these members
Curves of Fond du Lac
Sara Oughton
810-A S. Main St.
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 907-8121
www.curvesinternational.com
O'Rourke Law Office
Michael O'Rourke
195 N. Main St.
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 924-4488
www.orourkelawoffices.com
The Northeast Wisconsin Chambers Coalition is
conducting the 2010-2011 Fox Valley Wage & Benefit
Study, and it needs your valuable input.
At this critical time, with a struggling economy and
changes in employment, accurate comparative wage and
benefit information is of enhanced value to businesses in
the region.
The study is conducted annually to determine salaries
and benefits offered to employees in the Fox Valley area.
It is a joint effort between the AC, the Fond du Lac Human
Resource Association, and the chambers of Green Bay, Fox
Cities and Oshkosh.
The Fox Valley Chapter of the Society of Human
Resource Managers and the Fond du Lac Human Resource
Association provided expertise in updating the benefit
survey.
The surveys are conducted online, and participants
are given access to tabulation sites after entering their
information. The wage survey has been updated and
streamlined, with easier data entry and the capability to
upload spreadsheet wage data. All survey information is
kept confidential and is used only for compilation purposes.
Results will be available in October.
Companies that participate in the survey receive results,
which include geographical comparisons, at a discounted
price of $50.
If interested, contact AC Director of Programs and
Services Tammy Young at tammyy@fdlac.com or (920)
921-9500. You will be sent links for immediate input.
Is On the Job Training
right for your company?
The Fox Valley Workforce
Development Board can help
you determine whether an On
the Job Training opportunity is
right for your company. Funding
for On the Job Training might be
as high as 50 percent for up to
six months. However, the level
of funding is determined on a
case-by-case basis and can
only be determined after the job
has been classified and training
needs/methods have been
identified.
Some of the guidelines for
On the Job Training eligibility are
that participants must be eligible
for Workforce Investment Act
funding. A case manager at a
workforce development center
can determine the eligibility. The
eligibility must be determined
prior to consideration of an On
the Job Training contract and
prior to hiring.
On the Job Training
reimbursements are not a wage
subsidy but are intended to be a
reimbursement for training that
is over and above the normal
training that would be provided
to new hires. On the Job Training
would not be appropriate if a
participant already has the skills
to do the job.
To learn more about On the
Job Training opportunities and
whether one would be a good fit
to assist with your hiring needs,
contact the Fox Valley Workforce
Development Board Business
Services at (920) 720-5600.
September 2010 n Volume 33 n Issue 9
INSIDE
Business, Industry and
Education Day creates
opportunities for partnerships
Page 3
Young Professionals of Fond
du Lac host Casino Night
Fundraiser
Page 3
Fondue Fest returns to
downtown Fond du Lac on
Saturday, September 11
Page 4
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Coffee Connection Sept. 1
Location: US Bank, 55 S. Main St.
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Your hosts: U.S. Bank is a fullservice financial institution that can
meet all your personal and business
financial needs. U.S. Bank offers
everything from home mortgages,
investments, small business and
commercial support, and trust, all
in addition to our traditional retail
banking services. Branch Manager
Anne Pierce and District Manager
Kim Schmitz, along with U.S. Bank's
more than 30 local employees, pride
themselves in bringing U.S. Bank's
brand line, "All of US serving you,"
to life. At U.S. Bank, you get the
attention to detail you deserve from
their local employees, backed by
the resources of 60,000 employees
worldwide.
Cost: $2
Register by: August 31
Safety Council program at Quad, with a twist
Join the FDL Area Safety Council at their
Monday, September 13, program at Quad/
Graphics in Lomira for a tour of the facility and a
program on Confined Space Awareness.
The safety hazards associated with confined
spaces can cause serious injury and death if they
are not dealt with properly. The Confined Space
Awareness Program will be presented by Randy
Cunzenheim, assistant chief of training for Fond
du Lac Fire and Rescue, and Todd Pilger, safety
coordinator for Quad/Graphics-Lomira.
The September 13 agenda:
4:45 p.m.: Arrive at Quad/Graphics, N11896 Hwy
175, Lomira. Directions: From Fond du Lac, travel
south on US 41, exit at Highway 49, turn right,
immediately turn right again on Frontage Road
(before railroad tracks). Follow road, crossing
railroad tracks, use parking lot on left (lot E).
Enter facility across from parking lot.
5 p.m.: Escorted tour of Quad/Graphics facility.
5:45 p.m.: Buffet dinner of steak, chicken, rolls,
green salad, sauteed mushrooms, potato, hot
vegetable, dessert, coffee, water or soda
6:30 p.m.- 7:45 p.m.: Confined Space
Awareness Program
Cost: $20 for Safety Council members; $25 for
AC members; $30 for non-members
To register: Online at www.fdlac.com, click Event
Registration, or fax (920) 921-9559. Registration
deadline is noon September 8; no refunds after
September 8.
TO REGISTER FOR ANY EVENT,
VISIT WWW.FDLAC.COM OR
CALL (920) 921-9500
Business Connection Sept. 21
Location: Holiday Mazda,
390 N. Rolling Meadows Drive
Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Your hosts: The year was 1979 ...
the first full year at our new location
at highways 41 and 23, and our first
ever as a Mazda dealer. Against the
backdrop of a nation in recession,
oil embargos and skyrocketing
gas prices, Mazda was introducing
its sexy, rotary engine rear drive
two-seater, the RX-7 to accolades,
including Car of the Year. They
soon would follow with the first
front-wheel drive GLC, a great little
car, with a great little price that just
so happened to be great on gas.
Today, Holiday Mazda and its team
of nearly 60 people sell and service
the entire lineup of new Mazdas,
Mazda Certified Pre-Owned vehicles
and more. We are Wisconsin’s No.
1 Mazda dealer, and the only one to
have earned the prestigious Mazda
President’s Club Award. Only 50
dealers are selected for this honor
from a field of nearly 900 retailers
in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The award is based on rankings in
customer satisfaction and sales and
reflects the hard work and dedication
of the entire staff to our philosophy of
exceeding expectations and creating
positive experiences for customers.
In the spirit of Zoom-Zoom fun and
pride, we hope you can join us at the
September Business Connection.
Cost: $2 if you are pre-registered; $5
at the door
Deadline to register: September 20
SEPTEMBER COMMITTEE MEETINGS
From Team to Terrific
Tuesday, September 28
7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Fond du Lac Public Library
Back by popular demand from the 2009 ACU
roster, this class will teach you how to lead four
interactive exercises that will enhance your
team’s creativity, communication and productivity.
Learn how such exercises build your team’s
collaborative know-how. You’ll discover how
listing your team members’ strengths, values and
talents can increase the effectiveness of new
and old teams alike. These exercises help define
current abilities, team member roles and ultimate
team responsibilities.
Instructor: Dave Podeszwa, of D.L. Podeszwa
& Associates, has been in the leadership
development business for more than 30
years. His background includes US military,
manufacturing, electrical engineering, marketing,
management, computerized systems installation
and repair, and running his own consulting
business. Podeszwa consults with a variety of
businesses and has taught Supervisory Skills
Series leadership classes at the AC for the last
16 years.
Cost: $25 for AC members; $35 for nonmembers
Page 2 n September 2010 n www.fdlac.com
1
DFP Design Review Board
Noon
2
YPF Programs & Events
7:30 a.m.
DFP Executive
Noon
STW Steering
9 a.m.
YPF Marketing
Noon
Education Committee
7:30 a.m.
DFP Board @ The Nielsen Co.
8 a.m.
HR Board
3 p.m.
9
Ag Board
Noon
10
Safety Board
7:30 a.m.
13
Safety Council
4:30 p.m.
14
DFP Organization
8:30 a.m.
15
Ambassadors Club
7:30 a.m.
Ag Ambassador
Noon
DFP Events @ library
8 a.m.
YPF Executive
8 a.m.
SSS 47
8:30 a.m.
17
AC Executive
7 a.m.
21
DFP ER @ Windhover
Noon
22
Communications Council
7:30 a.m.
DFP Design @ Police Station
8 a.m.
Leadership Board
Noon
YPF Board
4 p.m.
SSS 46
8:30 a.m.
7
8
16
23
DFP Marketing @ Cibo
Noon
24
AC Board
7 a.m.
27
Community Sounding Board
7:30 a.m.
BIE: Avenue for partnership
We often hear, “Why should I become
involved in the education system?”
The answer, in a word: partnership.
Communities become stronger if we
promote and foster partnerships, and
that’s what Business, Industry and
Education Day is designed to do.
This year’s BIE will be held on
October 13 and consist of business tours
and a social followed by small group
discussion at UW-Fond du Lac.
BIE provides the opportunity for
business and education professionals to
discuss the current state of employment
as well as the future needs and trends.
Additionally, BIE provides business
the opportunity to learn from teachers
and educators about the issues facing
teachers in the classroom and get up
to date on initiatives under way in the
education community to address career
development and awareness.
Several businesses are opening their
doors to allow educators to get a firsthand look at processes and procedures.
Tour sites include Action Printing,
Agnesian HealthCare, Aurora Health
Center, BCI Burke Co., MAG, Mid-States
Aluminum Corp., National Exchange
Bank & Trust and Society Insurance.
After the tours are completed,
business representatives and educators
will convene at UW-Fond du Lac
for a social followed by small group
discussions. Each table group will be
asked to tackle several questions relating
to work force development with the goal
of bringing educators and business
representatives closer and forge stronger
partnerships.
Adding business tours back into
the BIE agenda was the result of focus
group conversations with educators and
business representatives who said there
was great value in giving educators a
close-up look into the local business
community. Business tours are nothing
new to BIE – they had been a regular
part of the agenda four years ago. As
well, the Fond du Lac School District
arranged to have their Team Leaders tour
local businesses in mid-August. By all
accounts, the educators found the tours
to be very beneficial to their growth and
understanding. The team leaders were
encouraged to relay those benefits to
their colleagues and encourage them to
attend the BIE business tours.
Educators are invited to attend BIE at
no charge. Business representatives are
invited to purchase table sponsorships:
$125: 2 attendees
$150: 4 attendees
$175: 6 attendees
BIE Day has for years provided an opportunity for
educators and business representatives to meet,
discuss issues and make connections.
BUSINESS, INDUSTRY & EDUCATION DAY
When: Wednesday, October 13
Where: Local businesses hosting tours and
at UW-Fond du Lac for social and roundtable
discussions
Register: Visit www.fdlac.com, click Event
Calendar, or call (920) 921-9500
For more information, email jimc@fdlac.com or
marydenzin@fdlac.com
All proceeds benefit FDL’s Salvation Army Food Pantry
A GREAT DEAL
FOR A GREAT
CAUSE.
TED
SEN
PRE
BY:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2010
South Hills Golf & Country Club • 6:00 Registration / 7:00 Games
Cost: $25 YPF & South Hill members & guest / $35 Non-YPF Members
(GET AN ADDITIONAL $500 IN FUNBUCKS FOR EVERY 3 ITEMS DONATED TO THE FOOD PANTRY)
Register online at www.fdlac.com or call the FDL AC at 920.921.9500
Page 3 n September 2010 n www.fdlac.com
Two for the price of one
at HR's Sept. program
September’s HR program will be a
legislative update covering Health Care
Reform and ADA/WFEA.
Part one: Changes in the Health Care
Reform Update important to employers,
healthcare providers and the insurance
industry, specifically through 2012. Eric
Schutt, VP of state government affairs for
United Health Group, will share his insights
on planning for compliance and give an
insider's perspective on future changes or
additions to the current law.
Part two: The Americans with Disabilities
Act and the Wisconsin Fair Employment
Act share many employer requirements, but
there are significant differences, too. Mark
Yokum, shareholder at Davis & Kuelthau,
will share detailed materials to make
implementation of employer responsibilities
a bit easier.
Date: September 15
Location: Holiday Inn
Registration: 7:15 a.m.
Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (1 hour
dedicated to each topic)
Cost: $20 HR members; $25 AC
members; $30 non-members
Register at www.fdlac.com or by
calling the AC at (920) 921-9500
Bring on the
family fun!
Downtown revving up
The award-winning Fondue
Fest returns to Downtown Fond
du Lac on Saturday, September
11. The festival, now in its
fourth year, will bring back
much-loved favorites and more
for a full day of great family fun,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
One of the main attractions
at the annual Downtown Fond
du Lac Fondue Fest is the Kids
Zone on Sheboygan Street with
all kinds of great, free activities.
The festival will offer three
music stages, with line ups
featuring, The Kevin Fayte
Rock & Roll Trio, Hot Pursuit,
Copper Box, Four G Jazz,
The Lighthouse Big Band and
Disciples of Dixieland Jazz.
Naturally, fondue will
be front and center. The
talented chefs at Moraine Park
Technical College’s Culinary
Arts Program will create a
cheese fondue and a chocolate
fondue for sale at Forest
Avenue and Main Street. And
of course, the 2007 Guinness
World Record-winning Largest
Fondue Set will be on display.
Main Street will be closed
to traffic and lined with more
than 90 merchants’ booths,
Farmers Market vendors, arts
and crafts vendors and lots of
great food and drink for sale.
The Kids Zone, sponsored
by The Garden, will be packed
with fun and games, including
inflatable bounce houses,
obstacle course and giant slide.
The Garden, Family Resource
Center and the Fond du Lac
Children’s Museum will host a
variety of kid’s activities that
include make-and-take craft
projects. Other Kids Zone
activities include games at the
library and a visit by everpopular Sunshine the Clown.
Visit www.fonduefest.
com, where you'll find photos,
entertainment schedules and
much more. Watch for details
and updates.
What could be cooler than a giant inflatable slide in the middle of
downtown? Fondue Fest returns with the Kids Zone, great food,
entertainment and fun for everyone on Saturday, September 11.
Fondue Fest
sponsors
Jackson Kahl
Insurance
The Nielsen Co.
MAG Giddings & Lewis
The Garden
Windhover Center
for the Arts
Waste Management
Action Advertising
Alliant Energy
Edith’s Bridal
FDL Public Library
Fox Valley Savings Bank
Grande Cheese
JR’s Sports Bar & Grill
Quad/Graphics
Ramada Plaza Hotel
The Reporter
Agnesian HealthCare
Communication Electronics
Cujak's Wine Market
Edward Jones
Hopper’s Silk Screening
National Exchange Bank & Trust
New Vision Signs
Rosendale Dairy
U.S. Bank
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September 11, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
A
free family festival celebrating community and the world’s largest fondue pot.
 Kids zone
Presented by The Garden
 Agnesian HealthCare’s
family fun bike ride
 Arts & crafts vendors
 3 Music Stages
 Classic Car Show
 Food & Farmers Market
 And of course… fondue!
Fondue Fest could not
take place without our great
community supporters
City of Fond du Lac departments of
Police, Fire and Public Works
Fond du Lac County Parks Dept.
Marian University Men’s Hockey
© 2010 Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership, www.downtownFDL.com
Page 4 n September 2010 n www.fdlac.com
AGRI-BUSINESS COUNCIL
Ag Council
hoppin'
during busy
summer
Summer was busy for the Fond
du Lac Area Agri-Business Council.
Events were held in June, July and
August to promote agriculture and
raise money for programming.
More than 40 golfers turned out on a sunny August 11 for the Agri-Business Council Golf Outing
Agricultural Ambassadors
at Rolling Meadows Golf Course.
presented their final programs of
the school year in June, visiting with
presentations. Top winners this year were
participated in the raffle.
a local home school group and the Head
Bill and JoAnn Guell of Campbellsport. Other
The Agri-Business Council worked with
Start students. More than 15,000 students
winners included: Holiday Chrysler, Bill and
the Junior 4-H Leaders at the Fond du Lac
and teachers learned more about Wisconsin
JoAnn Maedke, Alan Hathaway, Joan Pinch,
County Fair, serving up delicious food to fair
agriculture – a record for our program.
Richard Kraus, Steven Michael and Dennis
guests. Money raised from the food stand will
Hillside Dairy, LLC, near Mount Calvary
Vande Zande. Tenth to 16th-place winners
benefit the Agricultural Ambassador Program.
opened their doors to 3,000 people on June
were Crystal Pollack, Brenda Panko, Fred and
A golf outing and membership social
27 for the annual Breakfast on the Farm.
Gloria Pumper, Bobbie Pollesch, Mark Hinz,
was held August 11 at Rolling Meadows Golf
The successful breakfast is vital to support
Carol and Randy Dahlinger and Diane Hinke.
Course.
educational programming, scholarships and a
All proceeds from the raffle will be used to
Agri-Business members enjoyed a fun day
variety of other agricultural promotions of the
continue educating thousands of Fond du Lac
of relaxation after their busy summer. Golfers
Agri-Business Council.
County area youth through the Agricultural
participated in the Shoot For the Green
The Agricultural Ambassador Raffle
Ambassador Program. Thank you to all who
Contest to support Ag Ambassador.
raised more than $7,400 for classroom
Council makes
connections,
strengthens
community
The AC Agri-Business Council is the largest agricultural promotion organization in
the area. The council provides a forum for communication among local agribusinesses,
assists in the promotion of agriculture from farm to table and increases consumer
awareness of the impact agriculture has on our lives.
Who are members of the Agri-Business Council?
The Agri-Business Council is open to anyone with an interest in supporting local
agriculture. Our 225 members range from dairy producers to cheese processors to
implement dealers and everyone in between. We are proud of the diversity of our
membership, as it reflects agriculture’s changing face.
How do I become a member of the Agri-Business Council?
It is as easy as filling out a membership form and paying nominal annual dues.
Dues are reduced if you are an AC member. Dues support the continuous effort of
the council to keep agriculture strong in our area and promote its presence in our
community through a wide variety of activities.
The Fond du Lac Agriculture Showcase in 2008
featured an ethanol-fueled Indy car that was a
major hit with armchair racecar drivers of all ages.
What does the Agri-Business Council do throughout the year?
• Educate more than 15,000 Fond du Lac County area students and teachers about
the importance of agriculture through the Agricultural Ambassador Program
• Hold the annual Fond du Lac Agriculture Showcase, featuring Wisconsin
agribusinesses, wine and cheese tasting and kids activities
• Serve thousands of visitors at the annual Breakfast on the Farm. The 2010
Breakfast at Hillside Dairy near Mount Calvary served more than 3,000.
• Award youth agricultural scholarships to Fond du Lac County youth continuing their
education in agriculture
• Distribute “This Business Called Agriculture” workbook to all Fond du Lac County
fourth-grade students
• Award Teacher of the Year to a non-vocational teacher placing a great emphasis on
agriculture education
Page 5 n September 2010 n www.fdlac.com
Training starts in October
Vitamin SSS for supervisors
For more than 16 years, Supervisory
Skills Series, sponsored by the AC,
has provided excellence in leadership
development. Instructor Dave Podeszwa
provides real-life learning situations for new
and seasoned supervisors.
Classes are conducted in Fond du Lac
one day a month for
13 months, allowing
participants to
learn and practice
between sessions.
Managers in SSS
learn how to avoid
unnecessary conflict
and how to assign
challenging and
rewarding tasks while
providing employees with a sense of job
fulfillment and satisfaction. Class topics
include Leadership Style & Versatility,
Communication, Coaching, Problem Solving
and Time Management.
SSS emphasizes training that’s
practical, informative, educational and
readily applicable.
As well, Podeszwa provides free postgraduate support. By phone or email, SSS
graduates can continue to receive coaching
if they encounter problems or situations that
need extra attention. SSS graduates who
feel the need for a brush-up can repeat any
of the 13 sessions at no charge.
The next SSS session will start in
October. Visit www.fdlac.com to read about
the program, review the schedule and
topics and view the contract, or contact
Gerrie Andrew, (920) 921-9500, gerriea@
fdlac.com.
Dave Podeszwa
Experienced
instructor
Dave Podeszwa
has been in
the leadership
development
business for more
than 30 years. His
background includes
U.S. military,
manufacturing,
electrical
engineering,
marketing,
management,
and running his
own business,
D.L. Podeszwa
& Associates.
Podeszwa has
taught leadership
classes at the AC for
16 years.
Network Health offers
AC group policy discount
AC members with 2 to 50 employees are eligible for discount
group health insurance plan, Chamber Plus Plan, through Network
Health.
Designed specifically for small
businesses, the Chamber Plus Plan
provides a 10 percent discount
and is based on a local health
care network system with a large
number of “in plan” local providers.
It offers a wide variety of plan
designs, eight separate HMO plans, six separate POS plans and the
ability to create your own consumer-driven plan. All agreements are
for one year, and all plans are underwritten individually.
Network Health Plan was recently rated one of the top
commercial health plans in the United States, ranking 31st in the
nation according to U.S. News & World Report. For nine consecutive
years, the National Committee for Quality Assurance has granted
an “Excellent” level of accreditation to Network Health Plan for its
commercial HMO product line. The company is headquartered in
Menasha.
The Chamber Plus Plan is sold exclusively through AC member
insurance agencies. To receive the list, call the AC at (920) 921-9500.
Bid Rx can help lower benefit costs
Skyrocking
increases for
prescription benefits
have resulted in
rising out-of-pocket
expenses. The AC
has partnered with
Wisconsin-based BidRx, LLC,
to provide prescription cost
savings to AC members and their
employees.
BidRx.com is a free website
that is an open and competitive
marketplace for consumers to
find and fill prescriptions with
savings up to 85 percent. On
their site, visitors can
learn about similar
medications, receive
discounts directly
from pharmaceutical
companies and put
their prescriptions
out for bid to compare prices and
services from the thousands of
pharmacies in the U.S.
To sample their services,
visit www.bidrx.com and click on
“How it works.”
For more information on the
program, call the company at
(920) 230-6200.
JULY STATS FOR WWW.FDLAC.COM
● 2,432 unique visitors
● 3,983 visits
● Average of 128 visitors per
day
● Most hits: Thursday, July 1,
with 242 hits
● Tuesdays average the most
hits
● 75.8 percent of visits
originated from users’
bookmarks
● 14 percent of visits came from
a search engine
● 8 percent of visits came from a
link on another site
● Most-viewed pages, in order:
Press Releases, Member
Directory, Events, Employment
and School to Work.
No. of visitors
No. of visits
Month
2009
2010
2009
2010
Jan.
2781
2534
4812
4405
Feb.
2705
2487
4716
4395
March
3007
2549
5372
4541
April
3105
2641
5659
4668
May
2769
2454
4853
4166
June
2676
2626
4598
4426
July
2602
2432
4694
3983
Aug.
2682
4741
Sept.
2569
4778
Oct.
2477
4237
Nov.
2274
4281
Dec.
2164
3982
Page 6 n September 2010 n www.fdlac.com
Online job network
free to AC members
The AC and NationJob provide a toprated Internet job board to help attract and
retain a quality workforce.
Using the power of the Internet, we
connect your company with the people
you’ve been looking for. AC members
receive access to www.nationjob.com for
free.
Visit the Employment Opportunities link
at www.fdlac.com or contact NationJob
directly at (888) 256-1741, or email
community@nationjob.com
MEMBER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ala Roma on Pioneer sports new look, menu
The new Ala Roma location at 171 N. Pioneer
Road, the site of the former Country Kitchen, will
open in early September with an expanded menu
and a whole new look.
The expanded location’s fresh colors,
contemporary lighting and fixtures create a relaxed
atmosphere. Comfortable upholstered chairs, booths
and bar-height tables accommodate those stopping
in for a quick meal, while those who wish to linger
can enjoy cozy banquette seating. The expanded
seating options easily accommodate both small and
larger groups. A new full-service bar area featuring
16 beers on tap and the new outdoor patio provide
the perfect finishing touches. The bar also features
multiple televisions. Eric Kurtev of Ala Roma has
partnered with local businesses in the remodeling
Ala Roma on Pioneer Road is expected to open in early September.
project. Interior Systems, Inc., redesigned,
manufactured and installed the seating and décor;
Sarah Griffin is now the prepress coordinator. Griffin has been with
architectural services were provided by Stelmacher
EP-Direct’s prepress department for 10 years, specializing in graphic
Architecture; and the general contractor is Capelle Bros. & Diedrich,
design and customer support.
Inc.
EP-Direct is a full-service graphic communications resource
“It’s energizing to see area businesses partner together on this
for printing, graphic design, digital color, signage, direct mail and
great project,” said Lindsey Bovinet, president of Interior Systems.
fulfillment. EP-Direct serves Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Manitowoc,
“The same people who work to build this new gem in our community
Green Bay, Beaver Dam and the Fox Cities and is listed as one of the
are also loyal customers at Ala Roma. The dollars stay here and
top 100 Printers in the USA. Visit them at www.ep-directprinting.com.
strengthen Fond du Lac’s economy.” Call Ala Roma at (920) 929-9366.
'Creating Marketing Plan' offered at UW-FDL Sept. 23
Innovation conference draws inventors, entrepreneurs
A two-hour workshop, “Creating a Successful Marketing Plan,” will
be offered at 6 p.m. on September 23 at UW-Fond du Lac.
A detailed marketing plan is the key to being successful in a highly
competitive environment. This workshop will discuss the basics of
writing such a plan, including how to research market conditions and
trends to develop winning strategies for product/service mix, pricing,
promotion, location/distribution and positioning.
Cost is $35 per person, including materials. To register, call the
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center Network at (800)
232-8939 or visit www.uwosh.edu/sbdc. For information, contact Bob
O'Donnell, director of Small Business Development Center at UWOshkosh at (920) 424-1456 or (920) 450-3979.
The 2010 Ideas to Profits Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at
Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, will bring together inventors,
entrepreneurs, innovative manufacturers and professionals from
across the Midwest for two days of events and networking.
The conference, $99, features experts on innovative business
practices, intellectual property, prototyping, marketing and financing.
It is sponsored by the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center of the
UW-Whitewater, a specialty center that conducts market research for
manufacturers, technology businesses and independent inventors.
Popular Science Top 10 Inventions of the Year winner Ben
Hobbins raised $100,000 from investors at the conference last year.
“I would recommend any inventor or entrepreneur attend this
conference,” Hobbins said. “Success is all about solid intellectual
property, access to information, networking and personal drive.’’
Keynote addresses will be given by Louis Foreman, president
and CEO of Enventys, a product design and engineering firm and
executive producer of the PBS show, "Everyday Edisons;" Warren
Tuttle, external product development program at Lifetime Brands; and
Richard Meeusen, president and CEO of Badger Metter, Inc., and
winner of the 2009 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
for manufacturing in the Upper Midwest region.
For details, call (262) 472-1365, email innovate@uww.edu or visit
www.ideas2profits.org.
SCORE Conference speakers include John Lombardi
SCORE Fond du Lac is offering “Being In Business Today: Biz
Tips from the Experts” a one-day conference 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on
Thursday, September 30, at the D.J. Bordini Center, 5 Systems Drive,
Appleton. Cost is $55 per person. Register at www.scorefoxcities.com.
The conference will focus on helping small businesses navigate
and manage their businesses more effectively.
Speakers include John Lombardi, the grandson of Vince
Lombardi, who will be comparing football to business; Mark Burwell
of Urban Hope; Cheryl Perkins and Jeff Lindsay of Innovation Edge;
John Ingrisano; and other experts.
SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business) is a nonprofit
association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation,
growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE members
are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring
entrepreneurs and current business owners.
EP-Direct announces promotions
EP-Direct has announced promotions from within their staff. Sheri
Amidon has taken over the role of production coordinator, responsible
for the efficient flow of work through the print production process.
Amidon has been with EP-Direct for 20 years, most recently serving
as prepress supervisor.
Retired VP elected to Keller board chair
Keller, Inc., a design/build general contractor with offices in the
Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau, announces the election
of Byron Wendt as chairman of the board.
Wendt was first elected to the Keller board in 2005. He was
Keller’s vice president of finance prior to his retirement in 1997. He
replaced Walter Keller as chairman of the board, who had been
the acting chairman since the company’s inception in 1960 and will
continue to be an active board member.
Keller’s Board is comprised of eight directors, including four
company officers and four influential members of the community.
For more information on Keller, Inc., visit www.kellerbuilds.com.
Page 7 n September 2010 n www.fdlac.com
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Fond du Lac Business Barometer
July
Building permits
Employment*
Monthly one-family homes / Year to date
Monthly one-family value / Year to date
Monthly multiple units / Year to date
Monthly multiple units value / Year to date
Monthly commercial industrial / Year to date
Monthly commercial industrial value / Year to date
Number employed City / County
Number unemployed City / County
Percent unemployed City / County
Parking utilities revenues
Real estate transfers*
Utilities
Industrial power (KWH)
Statistics
Marriages*
Divorces (Clerk of Courts)
Births*
Deaths*
Sanitation permits (outside city)
* Results from May
2010
2009
2 / 27
$ 207,500 / $ 4,013,400
1/5
$ 330,000 / $ 1,920,000
3/6
$ 1,984,190 / $ 3,625,590
21,096 / 51,992
2,194 / 4,417
9.4 / 7.8
$ 24,559.00
104
5 /10
$ 650,000 / $ 1,397,500
0/0
0/0
0/4
0 / $ 5,947,348
21,710 / 53,274
2,809 / 5,579
11.5 / 9.5
$ 25,847.00
144
42
29
63
35
19
36
19
48
41
12