February 2026 Better Together Newsletter

February 2026

From The Desk Of

The CEO

2026 is off to a busy start, and we are energized by what lies ahead. The momentum we feel across Sheboygan County is made possible by you—our members, partners, and community champions—who continue to believe in the power of connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.

In This Issue

Economic Outlook updates, Gala, and more!

Deidre Martinez

One of the highlights of our early year is the upcoming Chamber Champions Gala, where we will celebrate more than 100 nominees across a wide variety of categories and announce this year’s winners on February 19. Tickets sold out in record time, and we are thrilled to unveil several exciting changes to this year’s event. These updates will further showcase the remarkable businesses, leaders, and organizations that help our community thrive. It promises to be a magnificent night of networking, recognition, and celebration.

Another major focus for the Chamber—and for many employers across our region—continues to be workforce development. Explore Your Future is right around the corner, and we need your help. As we work together to shape the future of our community’s workforce, it is imperative that we highlight and showcase the many industries represented right here in our own backyard.

To do this successfully, we rely on the support of our member organizations and their employees to step in and volunteer during the event. This is a powerful opportunity to share your career journey and show the next generation just how meaningful and rewarding your work can be. By volunteering during working hours, you can help inspire 7th and 8th graders across Sheboygan County as they begin to imagine their futures. As futurist Buckminster Fuller once said, “The best way to predict the future is to design it.” Together, we have the opportunity to design a strong, sustainable workforce for years to come.

We are also excited to share that 2026–2027 Community Guide advertising is now available. Once again, we’ve partnered with our friends at O’Rourke Media Group, and this collaboration allows us to significantly expand our reach by delivering the

2026 Chamber Champions Gala Black Pig & The Weill Center February 19 | 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Maximize Your Membership Sheboygan County Chamber February 25 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

YP Gathering: Speed Networking Black Pig Restaurant & The Berkshire February 25 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Community Guide directly into thousands of households in addition to our other distribution methods. This is a tremendous benefit for our members and the broader community, putting valuable information, access, and resources directly into people’s hands and homes. If you are looking for an effective way to market your business or organization, the Community Guide offers a meaningful opportunity to increase visibility and stay connected to the community you serve.

We are incredibly thankful for you—our members—and for the work you do every day to lift up this community and drive progress. We know that when we unite our voices, our message becomes stronger and louder, allowing us to create meaningful, lasting impact together.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are shaping the future of Sheboygan County—and we truly are better together.

John Rogers - Business Roundtables Facilitator

Happy Valentine’s Day! Yes, it is right around the corner on your calendar!

Do you celebrate this day of special affections with confections?

John Rogers

My father was somewhat of a traditionalist and often bought numerous ‘samplers’ to give primarily to his special lady friends: mom, his mom, my wife, etc. Men/boys [like me and my brother] got the much smaller sampler. I did not enjoy the sampler because often what I picked out from the box was a yucky surprise. The guide in the box top did not reveal enough information!

What does this have to do with my focus: peer-to-peer roundtables? During 2025, from just one roundtable, here’s a sampler of the discussion topics:

• A challenging colleague

• My work overload

• Marketing our business

• Political impacts on our business

• Recruiting and retention

• Making more community connections

• Transitioning from start-up to established

• Market visibility/ community visibility

• How to improve my organization

• Selfencouragement

• Bridging generations at work

• Balancing pay and benefits

Using our very interactive roundtable discussion format, where every attendee can offer empathetic or sometimes sympathetic

suggestions, the person who suggested the topic was almost always satisfied with the questions/comments/feedback they received.

Here's another sampler! Your Chamber offers 8 different roundtables:

• Worksite Wellness

• Sales & Marketing

• Business Owners

• Nonprofit Executives

• Human Resources Managers

• Safety Managers

• Manufacturing

• Mid-Day (a catch-all for those who can't or won't attend at 7:30 AM)

ll except for Manufacturing occur on a regular basis and assuming you receive AND read The Buzz every Monday morning, you will know when those regular roundtables occur PLUS your facilitator will remind you of one over the horizon IF you are listed within the group email list. Are you? To be somewhat certain you are on the group list, how about sending an email to john@sheboygan.org . It could be your Valentine!

Remember your Valentine box in grade school? Just like then, I want a full box from you [my Chamber friends] particularly if you have a topic for us to discuss at a future roundtable. Then, attend the roundtable just for you!

Upcoming Roundtables

Business Owners: Mon. Feb 9 | 7:15 AM

HR Managers: Tue. Feb 10 | 7:30 AM

Kristin Bahr - BID Member Services Director

Winter Fun Is Heating Up in Sheboygan's Harbor CentreDowntown, Riverfront & South Pier!

We’ve got some sweet winter events on the calendar—so be sure to save the dates and get your tickets soon. Join us for the NEW Hot Cocoa & Chocolate Crawl on February 7. Grab your favorite sweetie or a group of friends and explore participating businesses throughout Sheboygan’s Downtown, Riverfront, and South Pier, sampling delicious hot cocoa and chocolate-inspired treats along the way. It’s a family-friendly event for all ages, and you can even hop on the trolley to travel around the district with ease. Tickets are on sale now!

Next up is the always-popular Winter Wine Walk on March 14, with a festive St. Patrick’s Day twist. �� Expect fun, in-store activities, special promotions, and plenty of reasons to celebrate the season.

These events are the perfect way to shake off the winter chill, support local businesses, and enjoy everything our district has to offer. And check out our new website at www. harborcentre.com for everything happening in Sheboygan's Harbor Centre!

Anna Toman - Director Of Membership Development

As we close out the month of January and look ahead into February, it’s always interesting to see how quickly our local retailers switch their displays from Christmas cheer to Valentine’s hearts and roses.

Ah, Valentine’s Day — you either love it or you hate it! I absolutely love the holiday. It’s a wonderful reminder to spread kindness and appreciation to the people around us. Why not spread a little Chamber love this month?

Take a moment to visit our Business Directory on the Chamber website and browse through the incredible organizations that make up our membership. Then, show your support by spreading the love in a few simple ways:

• Shop local and visit a fellow Chamber member business

• Leave a positive review for a business you enjoy

• Follow and engage with members on social media

• Refer a Chamber member when someone asks for a recommendation

• Reach out and connect with a new member to welcome them

• Please Join Us in Welcoming Our New January Members!

• O'Hare Wealth Management Group

• Elanora Wellness

• Sheboygan County Warming Center

• Happy Nero Clinic

• Clear View Window and Gutter Cleaning Services

• BabyCare, Inc

Looking for an Extra Marketing Boost? Your Chamber membership already includes valuable marketing and promotional opportunities. However, if you’re looking to increase your visibility even more, consider sponsoring one of our upcoming events or programs or taking advantage of our Member-to-Member Advertising opportunities.

We offer outstanding exposure through a wide variety of sponsorship levels, making it easy to find an option that fits every marketing goal and budget. If you’re interested in learning more, I would LOVE to help you explore the opportunities available!

Ellie Meyers - Director of Events

One of the things I love most about the Sheboygan County Chamber is how we show up for one another, celebrating our leaders, supporting our workforce, and investing in what’s next. February and early March are perfect examples of that spirit in action.

One of the highlights of our Chamber calendar is right around the corner. On February 19, we will come together for the Chamber Champions Gala , an evening dedicated to recognizing the individuals and organizations who go above and beyond

in service, leadership, and innovation. This event is a powerful reminder of the talent, dedication, and generosity that exist throughout Sheboygan County. Beyond the awards and celebration, the Gala is also an opportunity to strengthen relationships, reflect on shared successes, and recommit to the work we do together as a business community.

This year, we are doing things a little differently by hosting the event in downtown Sheboygan, with dinner at Black Pig followed by the awards program at The Weill Center. We hope you’ll join us for this special evening.

Looking ahead to March, we’re also calling on our Chamber community to help shape the future workforce. We are currently seeking volunteers for Explore Your Future, taking place March 4 & 5 at Lakeshore College. Volunteers are needed to serve as Career Cluster Leaders, guiding students through meaningful conversations about careers right here in our region. This is an incredible opportunity to inspire the next generation while showcasing the talent and opportunities available in Sheboygan County. For many students, these conversations can be career-defining moments, and for our members, it’s a meaningful way to give back while helping build a strong, informed future workforce.

These events may look different on the surface, one focused on celebration, the other on education, but they are deeply connected. Both reflect the Chamber’s mission to support business success, leadership development, and long-term community vitality. They also highlight the power of engagement: when our members show up, invest time, and share expertise, everyone benefits.

I encourage you to join us, whether by celebrating our Chamber Champions on February 19, volunteering for Explore Your Future on March 4 and 5, or finding other ways to stay involved. Together, we continue to build a stronger Sheboygan County, because we truly are better together.

Visit Sheboygan.org for more information and to register for these events and more.

Liz Miyashiro - Director of Finance & Operations

Last Call: Benchmark Compensation Survey Open Now (Closes Soon)

We shared details on this Chamber–MRA survey partnership in last month’s newsletter, and we’re circling back with a last call because we truly don’t want any member to miss the chance to participate— especially in the Benchmark Compensation Survey, which is open now and closes soon.

This survey is the foundation for smart 2026 pay planning, with market wage and salary benchmarks across 550+ positions. It’s also a great opportunity for small and mid-sized employers who don’t typically have access to this kind of data— because the full market price can be a real barrier.

Through the Chamber–MRA partnership, Chamber members can participate for $195—a major savings compared to the standard cost of $2,399 (a $2,204 savings).

Click here to register

Leah Bischoff - Transition Concierge Specialist

Over the past two years, my role in Make Your Mark has focused on leading workforce and newcomer efforts that help people find their place in Sheboygan County. Through consistent daily outreach, strategic marketing, and participation in 22 career fairs, this work has supported over 700 job seekers, connected employers with talent, and welcomed new residents through both local and national outreach. Along the way, I have met individuals from across the country whose questions about work often opened the door to deeper conversations about belonging, community, and next steps.

Through our county-funded work, this program has created space for countless one-on-one conversations, resume reviews, and warm introductions. In many cases, the biggest impact comes from small interactions.

Never underestimate the power of a small moment done with care.

A thoughtful conversation, encouragement at the right moment, or simply feeling seen can shift someone’s confidence and outlook entirely.

This work continues to reinforce that progress often happens quietly. It shows up in intentional moments that help people feel supported during times of change, and in connections that remind them they are not navigating those transitions alone.

As Make Your Mark moves into its final year, with an eye toward long-term impact, the focus remains steady: Create welcoming spaces for all. Reduce barriers during transitions. Connect talent with opportunity while highlighting what makes our community feel like home.

Thank you for being part of this work and for helping make our region a place where people can truly make their mark. ��

I cannot wait to catch up with you all at our 2026 GALA!

Better Together: Workforce Development Update

by Anne Troka, Senior Manager — Community and Workforce Development, Sargento Foods

At the Sheboygan County Chamber’s 2026 Sheboygan County Economic Outlook Breakfast on January 15, it was clear: our local economy is resilient, optimistic, and relies on people. Talent attraction, retention, and development remain the top priorities for employers across Sheboygan County—and that’s exactly where the Business Education Partnership (BEP) plays a vital role.

The data shared at the breakfast reinforced what many of us experience every day. While 47% of employers expect their workforce to remain the same, key industries— construction and trades, manufacturing and production, and finance and IT—continue to face significant talent needs. With 52% of job openings requiring a high school diploma and only 17% requiring a bachelor’s degree, it’s clear that meaningful, family-supporting careers are available right here in Sheboygan County for students who choose to enter the workforce directly after high school.

This is where Explore Your Future becomes so important.

Explore Your Future is designed to open students’ eyes to the wide range of careers available locally—many of which they may never have considered. Through career fairs, classroom engagement, site visits, and hands-on experiences, students can see what modern manufacturing looks like, understand the variety of roles within construction and skilled trades, manufacturing and production, and learn how finance and IT careers connect to nearly every industry.

These experiences happen with industry volunteerism.

We need employee volunteers able and willing to show up, share their stories, and showcase their workplaces. Students want to know: What does a day on the job really look like? What education, skills, and experiences matter most? What kind of schedule, pay, and growth opportunities can I expect? These conversations are especially important as we listen to better understand what high school seniors who plan to enter the workforce immediately after graduation are looking for in an employer and a career.

The Economic Outlook data also offers valuable insight into how we compete for talent. Employers report that Indeed, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, referrals, and benefits are the most effective tools for attracting workers. Retention strategies such as flexible work schedules, employee recognition, and increased wages continue to matter, with 72% of employers expecting wage increases of 3–5% this year. Perhaps most encouraging, respondents gave a 4.5 out of 5 rating when asked if they would recommend Sheboygan County to friends or family—a powerful testimonial to our quality of life.

Looking ahead, 78% of respondents believe the Sheboygan County economy will improve, even as companies navigate competition and focus on developing new leaders. Workforce challenges don’t exist in isolation, which is why housing, childcare, and transportation remain core advocacy issues. The good news? Significant new housing developments are underway across the county, and unemployment remains low at 2.8%—well below the state average.

The BEP exists to bring education and industry together to address these challenges collaboratively. By engaging earlier with students, aligning classroom learning with realworld needs, and elevating the visibility of local careers, we can build a stronger, more sustainable talent pipeline for Sheboygan County. If you are an employer—especially in construction/trades, manufacturing/production, or finance/IT—and want to be part of shaping the future workforce, we invite you to join the Business Education Partnership. Together, we can ensure students see a future for themselves right here.

To get involved or learn more, please reach out to Deidre Martinez at the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce. Our future workforce depends on what we do today— and we truly are better together.