As we turn the calendar to March, it’s hard to believe how quickly this year is already moving. The promise of sunshine and the cheerful chirping of birds remind us that spring is right around the corner here in Sheboygan County. With a new season comes renewed energy, fresh opportunities, and meaningful moments of connection across our business community.
Deidre Martinez
First, a heartfelt shout-out to our Director of Events, Ellie Meyers, for delivering a truly fantastic Chamber Champions Gala. This year required some significant shifts, and Ellie navigated each adjustment with professionalism, creativity, and grace. The result was a stellar evening filled with celebration, networking, and well-deserved recognition for our nominees, award winners, sponsors, and guests.
The Gala served as a powerful reminder of something we all know to be true: community matters. Our success as a region depends on our willingness to collaborate, partner, and champion one another. When we lean into partnership, our collective voice becomes stronger. As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” That sentiment perfectly reflects the spirit of the evening—and the spirit of our Chamber.
Early March also brings one of our most impactful workforce initiatives: Explore Your Future. This incredible program connects nearly 1,500 seventh and eighth grade students with local employers, giving them a hands-on glimpse into industries aligned with their interests and personalities. Spending intentional time with our future workforce and leaders is integral to building long-term success in Sheboygan County.
It is imperative that we have both short-term and long-term strategies in place to engage and inspire our future workforce. Explore Your Future is a shining example of what happens when our business community comes together to invest in tomorrow. The conversations, mentorship, and exposure these students receive today help shape the opportunities and talent pipeline of the future.
Visionary Leaders Forum: Stories of Leadership Pine Hills Country Club March 19 | 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Newcomer Event John Michael Kohler Arts Center March 19 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Chamber Travel Show Sheboygan County Chamber
March 24 | 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Gathering
March 25 | 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Meanwhile, our Young Professionals group is off to the races in 2026. They have already hosted two outstanding events this year, with another planned for late March. This invigorated and growing group is leveling up—creating space for connection, leadership development, and collaboration. We encourage you to invite the young professionals in your organization to pull up a seat at the table and get involved.
Spring is one of the busiest seasons for our Chamber team, and none of this work happens alone. We rely heavily on the dedication of our volunteers, committee members, and board members to ensure our programs and events run smoothly. To each of you— thank you. It is because of your time, talent, and commitment that we are able to collectively impact so many positive initiatives across Sheboygan County each year.
As we step into this season of growth and renewal, let’s continue to lean into collaboration, celebrate one another’s successes, and remember that we are always better together.
John Rogers - Business Roundtables Facilitator
VISIBILITY
During the Chamber’s peer-to-peer roundtables, a topic we often discuss is ‘visibility’. FYI, when a topic is selected for discussion we want some relevant background information, then we get Feedback/Comments/Questions from others in the room. Here is an excerpt from a discussion at the most recent Business Owner roundtable when the owner wanted some ideas on how to increase the visibility of their organization:
Background
-Many social media efforts: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google, -Fliers, email, Sheboygan Sun ads and article, -Chamber ribbon cutting
Feedback/Comments/Questions
-A Harbor Centre BID project was mentioned without details, -Adult groups, -Bar arcade analogy,
-Can you do a podcast?
-Can you get a food truck in front of your location?
-Cedar Grove Rocket Academy was mentioned, -Connect with local hotels so their guests will know about you, -E-spot competition within local high schools,
-Get others to tell your story so word-of-mouth marketing can work; focus on your Wednesday night competitions, -Outreach to the 3 area colleges,
John Rogers
-Partner with other local businesses, -Rely on ‘organic’ growth, -Sponsor local teams so your name is on tee-shirts, -Winter farmers market, -Youth-oriented groups,
The owner was thankful for the discussion. Will these ideas help increase ‘visibility’? Time will tell.
Over the years, people/organizations have been encouraged to develop an ‘elevator pitch’. Do you have one you can convey quickly when someone asks for a description of your business or employer or what you do? Be concise and don’t go off on tangents.
Another important tool for your box of visibility is to have a story to tell about how you have helped a client or something you did to make a difference in another person’s life or their businesses life. When you are provided an opportunity to tell a story, you might want to ask “how much time do you have before I get into the details”. Sometimes a story can be like a testimonial. Do you have testimonials you can evolve into stories?
Another way to increase visibility is to issue a press release to media or to invite media to your location so they can write about you/your business. As The Beatles sang, “I read the news today, oh boy” and found these:
Those stories are about local businesses. Do you think their visibility is increased through those stories? Do you get either the print version or the digital version of https:// thebusinessnews.com? You should! It covers northeast Wisconsin so if your goal is to increase your visibility locally, consider these publications:
https://www.sheboygansun.com - Tracy Folz or Shella Paukner https://www.plymouth-review.com or https://sheboyganbeacon.com https://lakeweekly.com/
Of course, another way to increase your visibility is to participate regularly in a Chamber program such as one of the 8 different roundtables or another event listed in The Chamber BUZZ that should be in your in box every Monday morning. Is it? Please let me know if ‘visibility’ resonates with you. john@sheboygan.org
Upcoming Roundtables
Worksite Wellness: Wed. Mar 11 | 7:30 AM
Mid Day: Wed. Mar 11 | 11:30 AM
Kristin Bahr - BID Member Services Director
Winter may bring cooler temperatures, but the energy in the Harbor Centre Business District is anything but chilly!
Our Hot Cocoa & Chocolate Crawl was a sweet success, drawing families, friends, and visitors into Downtown, Riverfront, and South Pier during a time of year that’s traditionally a little slower. From decadent chocolate treats to creative cocoa concoctions, participating businesses created warm and welcoming experiences that had little ones smiling and parents happily shopping. It was a wonderful reminder that when we come together as a district, we can turn even the coldest days into vibrant, community-filled moments.
Now, we’re keeping that momentum going with a little Irish flair!
Get ready for Sheboygan’s Winter Wine Walk — St. Paddy’s Day style! Stroll through the Harbor Centre Business District as participating businesses transform into festive tasting stops pouring sweet wines, dry reds, and refreshing mocktails. With shamrocks, specials, and plenty of cheer, it’s the perfect excuse to gather your friends, explore your favorite local shops, and discover a few new ones along the way.
We can’t wait to see you raise a glass and sham-rock the district at the Winter Wine Walk! Get your tickets at www.harborcente.com.
Anna Toman - Director Of Membership Development
Hello, Dear Members!
There’s something special about being part of a business community that truly shows up for one another. It was obvious at last month's Gala. Thank you for supporting one another! I love watching connections being made, partnerships forming, and members choosing to grow together instead of going alone. That’s the power of being Better Together!
Join Us in Welcoming Our February Members
• Done by Nik
• SERVPRO- Team Ray
• Inward Path Counseling
• Holistic Dentistry of Port Washington
• Blue Crow Studio
• Johanning Solutions, LLC
If you’re looking to build stronger relationships and have real conversations with fellow members, our Deep Dive Groups are the place to be. Deep Dive A, LFG, and Deep Dive Happy Hour have capacity for new members, offering unique opportunities to connect in smaller group settings where conversations go beyond business cards. Whether you're
Anna Toman
Kristin Bahr
looking for accountability, growth-minded peers, or simply meaningful networking with other professionals, there’s a Deep Dive group for you.
These groups are designed to strengthen relationships, encourage collaboration, and create space for honest dialogue — because the best connections happen when we take the time to truly engage. If you haven’t joined one yet, now is a great time to dive in! #sopunny!
Coming up this spring, our new Community Guide! Our annual Community Guide is more than a publication — it’s one of the most trusted resources for residents, visitors, and businesses throughout Sheboygan County. Community Guide ads help elevate your brand presence, reach new customers and fellow members, and position your business as an active and invested part of our local community. If you haven’t secured your ad yet, now is the perfect time. Let’s make sure your business is front and center where people are looking. As a reminder, all of our members are listed in the Community Guide. If your information has changed, log in to your Chamber Member Portal and review your profile.
Think of your online Member Directory listing as your Chamber storefront — and first impressions matter.
• Is your contact information current?
• Does your business description clearly reflect what you do?
• Are your website, social links, logo, and photos up to date?
• Are you listed in the right categories?
Keeping your profile fresh ensures members and community members can easily find and connect with you.
Thank you for being part of this incredible business community. Your involvement, support, and collaboration are what make Sheboygan County such a strong and vibrant place to do business. We truly are — and always will be — Better Together. ��
Make it a great day, Sheboygan
Ellie Meyers - Director of Events
As we head into March, the Chamber’s event calendar is in full swing, and we’re excited to bring our members together for meaningful connections and inspiring conversations.
Join us on March 11 for VIBE@5 at FifthColor. This high-energy networking event is a great opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and connect with fellow professionals from across Sheboygan County. Whether you’re a longtime member or new to the Chamber community, VIBE@5 is the perfect place to expand your network in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Ellie Meyers
On March 19, we’ll host our Visionary Leaders Forum at Pine Hills Country Club. Formerly known as our Executive Series, this refreshed event continues our tradition of bringing an impactful speaker with forward-thinking leadership insights to our business community. The Visionary Leaders Forum is designed to inspire growth, spark innovation, and provide valuable takeaways you can apply within your organization.
Looking ahead to April , keep an eye on our calendar—there will be lots of ribbon
cuttings to celebrate! We’re excited to recognize and support the growth of our member businesses and hope you’ll join us in welcoming and celebrating these milestones throughout the month.
Finally, nominations are now open for our Best Under 40 Awards. This recognition honors outstanding young professionals who are making a meaningful impact in their workplaces and in our community. If you know someone deserving of this honor, we encourage you to submit a nomination and help us celebrate the next generation of leaders in Sheboygan County.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events! As always for the most up to date event information please visit Sheboygan.org
Leah Bischoff - Transition Concierge Specialist
From Introduction to Opportunity
Not everyone who attends a networking event is actively job searching. And not everyone who attends a career fair is ready to make a move tomorrow.
That is okay.
Growth happens in stages. Sometimes it begins with simply showing up, meeting people, and learning what is possible.
This spring, we have two events designed to support that process.
Newcomer & Networking Event
John Michael Kohler Arts Center March 19, 2026
Registration Link
The first step is often connection.
Gathering at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center feels fitting. The space is creative, open, and welcoming, which is exactly the experience we hope new residents have in Sheboygan County.
This event is not about formal pitches. It is about real conversations. Hearing someone say, “I just moved here,” and responding with, “We are so glad you are here.”
Some attendees are exploring career options. Others are building friendships and learning about the community. Either way, it is an important early step.
Our Newcomer events welcome around 30 attendees each time, with a new group at every gathering. It is a reminder that people are choosing Sheboygan County and looking for ways to connect.
Leah Bischoff
Career Fair – Make Your Mark Blue Harbor Resort
May 28, 2026
Save-the-date, additional details coming soon
For some, the next step is the Career Fair.
The Make Your Mark Career Fair creates space for employers and job seekers to connect directly. It is an opportunity to learn about open roles, ask questions, share resumes, and better understand what local companies are looking for.
Not every conversation leads to an immediate offer, and that is also okay.
Sometimes the value is in exposure, feedback, and clarity someone gains about their next step. With resume support, professional headshots, and direct employer conversations, the goal is to help individuals feel more prepared and more confident. Connection first. Then exploration. Then opportunity, when the timing is right.
When we intentionally create spaces for each stage, we strengthen more than just our workforce. We strengthen our community.
I hope to see many of you this spring as we continue building together.
Better Together: Workforce Development Update
by Anne Troka, Senior Manager — Community and Workforce Development, Sargento Foods
Spring is almost here! With the changing season comes a flurry of exciting opportunities and initiatives. It's time to dive into hiring for youth apprentices, recognize high school seniors transitioning directly into the workforce, apply for summer jobs, and prepare to welcome interns and co-ops!
Employers, consider offering youth apprenticeships for the 2026-27 school year and start the application and hiring process now. Educators, encourage high school sophomores and juniors to participate in career experiences by visiting employers and applying for youth apprenticeships. High school seniors should start applying for the full-time, parttime, and seasonal opportunities that employers have available. For more information on all these early talent opportunities, visit the student pages on employer career sites.
Here are the best ways to stay involved and support workforce development in 2026: - Attend the Sheboygan County Economic Outlook Breakfast.
- Participate in the Workforce Development Symposium.
- Join the Business Education Partnership
- Explore Youth Apprenticeship opportunities.
We invite all Business and Education Workforce Development Leaders to join us for the next Business Education Partnership (BEP) meeting. During this meeting, we will discuss building talent pipelines based on business needs for talent and skills. These talent pipelines include Registered Apprenticeship, Youth Apprenticeship, Internships, Co-ops, and other innovative student career-based learning experiences.
The BEP meeting agenda is as follows: March 20, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce Office
- Introductions
- Explore Your Future Recap
- Workforce Development insights, needs, and recommendations from Businesses
- Workforce Development Symposium Topics Discussion
- 2026-27 School Year BEP Initiatives Discussion
- Adjourn & Networking
Looking forward to collaborating and creating valuable opportunities for our future workforce!
