MADISON – The core services Wisconsin’s 267 local chambers of commerce offer their members vary from village to town to city. But whether they focus on advocacy, tourism, economic development, entrepreneurship, young professionals, workforce or organizing community events, they all play an important role in our state that should be recognized.
That is why Gov. Scott Walker has proclaimed September to be Chamber of Commerce Month in Wisconsin. Walker made the proclamation at the request of the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE) – a division of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the state chamber, that offers professional development and advocacy for local chambers of commerce.
“Chambers are central to Wisconsin’s local economies,” said Philip Fritsche, president of the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce and WCCE Advisory Board Chair. “In most places, the chamber is involved in all major local decision making either as a facilitator or advocate for its members.”
Fritsche said that chambers are critical community partners and problem solvers with the unique ability to work with stakeholders from both the private and public sectors.
“We are going to be asking all chambers in Wisconsin, big and small, to reach out to local media, community groups, government and the public to talk about what they do every day to make their part of Wisconsin more prosperous for business, great places to visit and ever better places to live,” Fritsche said.
Some suggested activities to celebrate the Chamber Month include hosting a ‘Business After Five’ social event or discussing the state of their local economy, something that is also done at the state-level by WMC and at the national-level by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber Month will culminate on September 27-29 with the annual WCCE Conference, which will be held in Neenah. At least 80 chamber professionals from around the state will attend.
Click here to view the proclamation.
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For more information, contact:
Nick Novak, 608.258.3400
