April is upon us, and with it comes the promise of sunny days, fresh energy, and new opportunities to connect and growātogether.
Deidre Martinez
We are excited to welcome candidates in the State of Wisconsin Governorās race to our upcoming Friday Forum on April 17th. This special lunchtime event offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to lead our state. Several candidates have already confirmed their participation, and we will continue to update the registration page at sheboygan.org as additional commitments are secured. We encourage you to reserve your seat and take advantage of this chance to become a more informed and engaged member of our community.
This time of year also brings one of our favorite traditionsā celebrating the incredible talent and impact of young professionals across Sheboygan County. The Best Under 40 celebration is just a few weeks away, and we invite you to submit nominations for those individuals who are making a difference in their workplaces and throughout our community. Join us on May 7th as we recognize and celebrate their achievements.
At the Chamber, we believe strongly that a thriving community is built by lifting one another upāby celebrating successes and creating opportunities for growth. Through our programs, events, and leadership development initiatives, we are committed to providing meaningful ways for professionals at every stage to connect, learn, and lead. From recognizing emerging leaders to offering pathways like Leadership Sheboygan County and Junior Leadership, we are proud to help cultivate the talent that strengthens our region.
As Robert Ingersoll reminds us, āWe rise by lifting others.ā That belief is at the heart of everything we do.
Looking ahead, we are actively seeking applicants for the 2026ā2027 Adult Leadership Sheboygan County program, as
Upcoming
Ribbon Cutting WEAP Sheboygan
Apr 7 | 10:00 PM - 10:30 AM
Ribbon Cutting A&A Equipment Repair
Apr 10 | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting Hear Again America
Apr 14 | 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Maximize Your Membership Sheboygan County Chamber Apr 15 | 8:15 AM - 10:00 AM Friday Forum Elks Lodge
well as our Junior Leadership program. If you know a high school student in 11th or 12th grade within Sheboygan County, this is an outstanding opportunity for them to grow as a leader, build connections, and gain valuable experience during the upcoming school year.
Spring is a season of growthāand here in Sheboygan County, that growth is fueled by engaged businesses, dedicated professionals, and a community that continues to show up for one another. Thank you for being part of what makes this region thrive.
John Rogers - Business Roundtables Facilitator
Will fools rush in?
Actually, āfools rush in, where angels fear to treadā forms the lyrics of a Frank Sinatra song. Give a listen to this https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=86h4DYdOuVQ
The original quote is attributed to Alexander Pope in 1711. Yes, this is true!
John Rogers
Have you ever asked yourself, āWhat kind of fool am I?ā I have and not only on April 1. Here are the lyrics from the song that was very popular back in the day https://genius.com/Sammy-davis-jr-whatkind-of-fool-am-i-lyrics
Gee, John how is this relevant to the Better Together newsletter? The first roundtable in April occurs on April 1 and is for Nonprofit Executives. If this is news to you, you are simply too late!
Will anyone offer a prank of some sort during the roundtable? In truth, I hope so. Will it be their URGENT & IMPORTANT topic for us to discuss? Will it be in conjunction with their one-word opener?
The Chamberās peer-to-peer roundtables often discuss topics that are serious in nature and we do so to help with those concerns the topic presenter cannot solve on their own. However, in the course of our discussion, we have fun and often laugh! Have you been to a roundtable and experienced this yourself?
Oh, you havenāt been to a roundtable? What kind of fool are you? Well, in truth, you are not a fool, but join us for a change and learn why so many Chamber members actively participate. You WILL be glad you did simply because we are Better Together!
Upcoming Roundtables
Non-Profit: Wed. Apr 1 | 7:30 AM
Safety: Thu. Apr 2 | 7:30 AM
Sales & Marketing: Mon. Apr 6 | 11:30 AM
Business Owner: Mon. Apr 13 | 7:15 AM
HR Managers: Tue. Apr 14 | 7:30 AM
Kristin Bahr - BID Member Services Director
Itās finally starting to feel like spring, and thereās no better time to explore all that Sheboyganās Harbor CentreāDowntown, Riverfront, and South Pierāhas to offer. As the weather warms up, our district comes alive with energy, inviting you to stroll the streets, enjoy the lakefront, and experience everything our vibrant community has in store.
The Sheboygan Harbor Centre Business District is proud to offer fun events and activities for the entire family, along with an incredible mix of locally loved shops and world-class restaurants. Whether youāre planning a day out or just stopping by, thereās always something new to discover.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the Winter Wine Walkāit was truly a fantastic event and a great time was had by all! We appreciate your continued support in making these events so special.
Looking ahead, be sure to save the date for one of our most whimsical events of the yearāSheboy-Con! Join us on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for a family-friendly day filled with imagination and fun. Participating businesses throughout the district will celebrate all things fantasy and sci-fi, from Renaissance Faire and steampunk to witches and wizards, superheroes and villains, fairies, dragons, and more. Enjoy special in-store activities and immersive experiences as you explore.
Come one, come allāwe canāt wait to see you there!
Anna Toman - Director Of Membership Development
Dear Chamber Members, Oh, Marchā¦ isnāt it supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb? This year, it felt more like the oppositeāstarting gently and reminding us of whoās boss on the way out.
Itās funnyābefore I ever called Sheboygan home, I used to vacation here for spring break. Letās just say it wasnāt your typical āflip-flops and sunshineā kind of getawayāa little chilly, to say the least! So whether your spring break this year included warm weather or
Kristin Bahr
Anna Toman
simply warm connections, I hope you found time to recharge.
As unpredictable as the weather may have been, one thing remained steadyāour Chamber community showing up, supporting one another, and continuing to grow together.
Join Us in Welcoming Our February Members
ā¢ PingMe, Inc.
ā¢ Endex Events LLC
ā¢ Caravel Autism Health
ā¢ Wisconsin Lakefront Property Management - Serenity Lake Apartments
ā¢ Good as Gold Appliances
ā¢ Focus on Energy
ā¢ Lakeshore Foster Families
Looking ahead to April, Iām excited to host two membership-focused events designed to help you get the most out of your Chamber experience.
On April 15 at 8:15 a.m., weāll be hosting our Maximize Your Membership; Membership Orientation. Whether youāre a brand-new member or have been with us for years. In fact, many of our members attend multiple times, often saying, āI learn something new every time.ā Itās a great opportunity to refresh your understanding of your benefits, discover new ways to engage, and reconnect with what the Chamber has to offer. Itās also open to nonmembers who are interested in learning more in an informal setting.
Then on Thursday, April 23, we will be hosting a Membership Draft starting at 3:00 p.m. This event is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the Chamber and the value of membership. The event will kick off with a short presentation highlighting our benefits, our three Anchors, and introducing some of our member volunteers. There is no obligation to joināif youāre āChamber curious,ā we encourage you to stop in and see what the Chamber can offer you! As an added incentive, anyone who attends and signs up for Chamber membership will receive either $50 off their first year of membership or a complimentary Member2Member e-blast. We hope youāll join us and take advantage of these opportunities to get re-energized in your membership.
Thank you for being such an important part of our Chamber community. Better together isnāt just a phraseāitās what we see in action every day.
Make it a great day, Sheboygan County!
Ellie Meyers - Director of Events
As we step into another exciting month, Iām thrilled to share whatās ahead for our Chamber community for upcoming events. April is shaping up to be a vibrant time filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate growth, and engage with fellow members, truly living out our āBetter Togetherā mission.
We have a full lineup of ribbon cuttings to recognize and support our local businesses. Please join us in celebrating the following:
ā¢ April 7: Ribbon Cutting at WEAP Sheboygan
ā¢ April 10: Ribbon Cutting at A&A Equipment Repair
ā¢ April 14: Ribbon Cutting at Hear Again America
ā¢ April 21: Ribbon Cutting at Caravel Autism Health ā Weeden Creek Rd Location
Ellie Meyers
ā¢ April 22: Ribbon Cutting at CrossFit Diligence
ā¢ April 28: Groundbreaking at Wisconsin Lakefront Property Management ā Serenity Lake Apartments
These events are a wonderful way to welcome new businesses, celebrate expansions, and show our strong community support.
Our Friday Forum returns on April 17 at the Elks Lodge and will feature Wisconsin candidates for Governor. This is a valuable opportunity to stay informed, hear directly from candidates, and engage in meaningful dialogue on the issues impacting our state and business community.
Be sure to also mark your calendars for Vibe@5 on April 29 at Lakeland University. Vibe@5 continues to be one of our most popular networking eventsāoffering a relaxed atmosphere to make connections, strengthen relationships, and grow your network.
Looking ahead, we are excited for the Best Under 40 Awards on May 7 at The Village at 170. This inspiring event celebrates the achievements and leadership of young professionals in our community. Tickets are available now, and I encourage you to secure yours early and join us in recognizing these outstanding individuals.
For additional event details and to register, please visit the Chamberās events calendar online at Sheboygan.org
Thank you for your continued involvement and support. I look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events as we continue building a stronger Sheboygan County together.
Leah Bischoff - Transition Concierge Specialist
Hereās whatās becoming clear:
The decisions people are making right now arenāt small.
Employers are being more intentional than ever in who they bring on. And the connections in between are what make it all work.
Thatās exactly why this work continues to grow through our Make Your Mark initiative.
Looking Ahead: May 28 Career Fair at Blue Harbor
Bischoff
That momentum continues with our upcoming Career Fair on May 28 at Blue Harbor Resort. This event brings together community members in a setting where conversations happen naturally, and connections feel real. Itās a space to explore, learn, and take the next step forward.
Weāre continuing to build a strong, diverse group of employers ready to connect and share what makes their workplaces and this community stand out.
Take a look at our growing list of employers already registered for the career fair:
Leah
ā¢ Acuity
ā¢ Bay & Landing at Elkhart Lake
ā¢ Boys and Girls Club of Sheboygan County
ā¢ Department of Workforce Development
ā¢ Harbor Winds Hotel
ā¢ John Michael Kohler Arts Center
ā¢ Johnson Financial Group
ā¢ Kohler Company
ā¢ Kohler Credit Union
ā¢ Lakeshore College
ā¢ Masters Gallery Foods
ā¢ Next Step Insurance
ā¢ Old Wisconsin
ā¢ Pine Haven Christian Communities
ā¢ Polyfab LLC
ā¢ Sheboygan Area School District
ā¢ Sargento
ā¢ Sheboygan County
ā¢ Sheboygan County Police Department
ā¢ Sheboygan County YMCA
ā¢ The Osthoff Resort
ā¢ Van Horn
If youāve been thinking about joining us, thereās still time.
We would love to have you be part of this growing group. Feel free to reach out to me directly at Leah@sheboygan.org to reserve your booth and get involved.
Alexis Schroeder - Program Coordinator
Thank you!
Thank you so much to everyone who has welcomed me to the Chamber with open arms and lots of encouragement! I appreciate everyoneās willingness to help me get more settled into my role here and I am so excited about the future of our programs!
Leadership Sheboygan County
Our Adult Leadership Sheboygan County had their āEducation Dayā experience in March. Participants heard some amazing presentations & Q&Aās from INSPIRE, Youth Apprenticeship, Junior Achievement, A student panel from Sheboygan South High, South High Principal and a post-secondary panel with Lakeshore College, Lakeland University & UW Green Bay! In addition to these presenters, participants traveled to Maywood Environmental Park where they learned about nature-based education that is offered, as well as a tour of the grounds and firsthand look at tree sap collection! In April, we look forward to Agriculture Day!
Applications for Leadership Sheboygan County 26-27 are due by May 1st. For more information on this program click HERE.
Junior Leadership Sheboygan County
Our Junior Leadership Sheboygan County students participated in Government & Economics Day in March. The students got extremely creative with these mock debates, elections and common council meeting, giving them a unique experience with how those things might look
Alexis Schroeder
in real life. Students learned about why voting is important, had a Q&A with the Mayor, a tour of city hall, an awesome presentation and tour with Fire Chief Montellano and wrapped up the day with a presentation and discussion on Sheboygan County Economic Development. We look forward to our April session which will be about Leadership & Entrepreneurship!
Applications for Junior Leadership Sheboygan County 26-27 are due by April 15th. For more information on this program click HERE
Better Together Summer Interns & Co-Ops
We are gearing up for another great summer with our Intern & Co-Op Program! This program is 6 weeks during the summer and is a fun way for these visiting interns & co-ops to get immersed in all of the amazing activities, events, people, venues and history that Sheboygan County has to offer! Participants will navigate a scavenger hunt app throughout the program to check out different events, gatherings, landmarks and other fun challenges, as well as attend Chamber hosted events which allow for them to get to know their peers, meet interns from other companies and build a new network of friends here in Sheboygan County! Registration for Interns & Co-Ops Program is active April 1st through June 4th and can be found on our website!
If you have an intern or co-op joining your company this summer, please register on our website or email me for assistance!
Coastal Young Professionals
Thank you to the Black Pig & The Berkshire for hosting our February Speed Networking event where we hosted 46 participants! Our March event was networking in conjunction with the Sheboygan Jaycees at our gracious host Downtown 925. It was a wonderful evening filled with new connections, relationships and a lot of fun! We were extremely lucky to have 28 participants at our event, and a lot of new faces join us in expanding our Young Professionals Network.
We look forward to our April event called āPersonal Finance for Young Professionalsā held on April 22nd at the Family Service Association of Sheboygan County. We will be joined by Tisha OāDell with UnitedOne Credit Union to discuss budgeting & debt strategies, planning for retirement in your 20s & 30s and buying a home! You can find registration for the event on our website!
If you would like more information or need help with registration for Leadership Program, Junior Leadership Program, Summer Interns & co-ops program or any of our Coastal Young Professionals events, please email me at alexis@sheboygan.org. I am happy to help!
Better Together: Workforce Development Update
by Anne Troka, Senior Manager ā Community and Workforce Development, Sargento Foods
Spring is here, bringing a season of celebration and opportunity as students prepare for graduation and plan their next steps.
Local employers currently have a variety of seasonal, summer, and entry-level full-time positions available, and students are encouraged to apply soon. Weāre also excited to welcome new interns and co-op students in May, with youth apprenticeships beginning in June.
This April and May, the Business Education Partnership (BEP) Committee will begin developing its 2026ā2027 Action Plan, with the finalized plan to be shared in August. Focus areas include AI, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and the skilled trades, along with building essential career readiness skills.
Key initiatives will continue to include STEAMFest, Explore Your Future, career experiences, and financial literacy programming. The committee will also address workforce readiness, career-based learning, graduation rates, and strategies to support students in planning for life after high school.
Ongoing collaboration with state partners and local legislators remains a priority, as does strengthening connections between businesses, educators, students, and the broader community.
Interested in getting involved? Contact Deidre Martinez at deidre@sheboygan.org. The next BEP meeting will be held April 17 from 7:30ā9:00 a.m. at the Sheboygan County Chamber Office.
