Chamber President Zach Brandon Receives Distinguished Service Award from Wisconsin National Guard Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 2, 2017)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

MADISON – Today the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced that Chamber President Zach Brandon is the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Service Award, the Wisconsin National Guard Association’s highest civilian honor. The award was presented Saturday during WINGA’s 67^th Annual State Conference in Elkhart Lake.

The award recognizes Brandon and the Chamber’s involvement in the effort to base the next-generation F-35A aircraft at Madison’s Truax Field, outstanding leadership and community advocacy in support of the mission of the 115^th Fighter Wing through the Chamber’s work with the Badger Air Community Council (BACC).

“While I am humbled and honored to accept this award, I share it with the business leaders, elected officials, advocates, community members and countless others who have supported and shown their appreciation for the remarkable, hardworking men and women of the 115^th Fighter Wing,” said Brandon. “Landing the F-35A at Truax would be both a national defense asset and an economic opportunity for Greater Madison, and we are proud to do everything we can to promote the 1,200 airmen of the 115^th and the significant contributions they make to our community.”

In addition to supporting 1,200 Wisconsin jobs, the 115^th Fighter Wing contributes $100 million in annual economic impact, provides emergency response services for Dane County Regional Airport and pays more than $1 million in tuition assistance to colleges and universities for area students who serve in the Guard.

In January, the Chamber launched Together Truax, the next step of an initiative designed to support the effort to base the F-35A at Truax Field. The initiative includes a new website, TogetherTruax.com, and Facebook and Twitter pages, in addition to ongoing advocacy. The Air Force announced in December that Truax is one of five finalist sites for the F-35A, with the two bases that will receive the next-generation jets to be named at a later date.

About the Wisconsin National Guard Association:
The Wisconsin National Guard Association, Inc. (WINGA) is a nonpartisan organization representing more than 1,800 current and former Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard officers. Formed in 1951, the association promotes the relevance, readiness, and modernization of our National Guard, improving the quality of life for its members and supporting state and national policies to advance the security of the United States. To learn more, visit http://www.winga.org.

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 9,500 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.

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The Alliance Will Host Its Largest Event of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Teri Van Tassel, Vice President, Marketing & Member Services

608.210.6633

E-mail: tvantassel@the-alliance.org

www.the-alliance.org/press

GET HELP MAKING HEALTH CARE’S HARD DECISIONS

The Alliance Will Host its Largest Event of the Year – May 16

MADISON, Wis. (April 18, 2017) – The Alliance is inviting employers and anyone interested in learning about shared decision making to its Annual Seminar event on May 16, 2017.

Do I or Don’t I?
Making Hard Decisions in Health Care

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

8 – 11:30 a.m.

The Monona Terrace, Madison, Wis.

More than 300 people are expected to attend to hear from three national speakers:

• Andrew Lazris, MD, founder and practitioner of a primary care practice in Columbia, MD and co-author of Interpreting Health Benefits and Risks
• Erik Rifkin, PhD, environmental scientist and co-author of Interpreting Health Benefits and Risks
• Catherine DesRoches, DrPH, executive director, OpenNotes

Presentations will cover the importance of shared decision making as well as:

• How to involve the patient in decision making
• Illustrating a pictorial way of showing how few people are helped and how many are harmed by common procedures through Benefit Risk Characteristic Theatre (BRCT).
• Overview of the OpenNotes initiative and how it is being incorporated into many clinics and hospitals today.

The Alliance Board of Directors will also present its third annual Health Transformation Awards to individuals and organizations who have committed to moving health care forward for consumers, employers and purchasers.

Interested individuals who would like to attend for free can register here:

http://www.the-alliance.org/events/

The Alliance is an employer-owned, not-for-profit cooperative that moves health care forward by controlling costs, improving quality and engaging individuals in their health. It has 240 employer members that provide health benefit coverage to more than 100,000 people in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

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Study Features Madison As Place of Industry and Innovation, Highlights Impact of Research on Economic Growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 4, 2017)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

MADISON – Today the Atlantic Council released a new report, “Keeping America’s Innovative Edge,” that provides a strategic framework for reinvigorating innovation in America and includes policy recommendations that cover subjects such as research and development, skills training, education and city planning. Madison was one of four U.S. “tech hubs” – along with Boulder/Denver, Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area – featured in the report, and Chamber board member Aaron Olver, Managing Director of University Research Park, was part of the expert panel at the event launching the report.

In response, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon released the following statement:

“To be one of just four tech hubs profiled in this report is a tremendous validation of the progress the Greater Madison region is making toward being recognized as a place of industry and innovation. As the report states, place matters, and with the right tools, investment and intentional action, Greater Madison is well-positioned for continued growth and recognition.

“While the report includes many encouraging signs for Greater Madison’s economy, there are cautionary notes as well, particularly when it comes to a long-term decline in government-funded university research. This report highlights the critical impact that research has on our innovation economy and serves as another warning lawmakers must heed about the direct correlation between public investment in universities and economic growth.

“UW-Madison is a world-class research institution that supplies the state with skilled talent and technology transfer into the marketplace, but that reputation and associated output cannot be taken for granted. To maintain our global competitive edge, it is imperative for state and federal policymakers to reverse the trend in declining research funding.”

You can read the full report here.

About the Atlantic Council:

The Atlantic Council promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the Atlantic Community’s central role in meeting global challenges. The Council provides an essential forum for navigating the dramatic economic and political changes defining the twenty-first century by informing and galvanizing its uniquely influential network of global leaders. Through the papers we write, the ideas we generate, and the communities we build, the Council shapes policy choices and strategies to create a more secure and prosperous world. Learn more at http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/.

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.

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Doyenne Hosts Its First Movie Night to Celebrate the Courage of Women Entrepreneurs

Contact:
Heather Wentler
Executive Director, Doyenne
608.620.3479 heather@thedoyennegroup.com

Doyenne Hosts Its First Movie Night to Celebrate the Courage of Women Entrepreneurs

Community Invited to Screening of “Dream, Girl” at Sundance Cinemas in Madison

Madison, WI — April 4 , 2017: Doyenne is hosting its first Movie Night, sponsored by Clark & Gotzler, at Sundance Cinemas as part of its FUNdraising event series.

“Our FUNdrasing events are opportunities for the larger community to engage with Doyenne in a ‘fun’ experience to promote women entrepreneurs within our community, learn about the organization and the work we do, and as a way to bring in funds for Doyenne to be able to continue to provide the excellent programming and coaching opportunities Doyenne organizes for women entrepreneurs,” said Heather Wentler, Co-founder & Executive Director, Doyenne.

Members of the Madison–area community are invited to gather together to support women entrepreneurs and participate in a screening of the film Dream, Girl. This movie examines the struggles and successes of women-owned businesses and entrepreneurship, and was selected as a must-see for members and those considering joining or supporting Doyenne. It provides an honest portrayal of the diverse experiences of women entrepreneurs from a variety of different backgrounds, highlighting their joys successes and challenges.

The event will provide participants with a relaxed evening of cocktails, popcorn, welcome by Doyenne leaders and screening of the movie. In addition, attendees can join a unique post-film discussion amongst three to four local entrepreneurs. The women selected for the panel will interview each other about specific themes of interest from the film in a real-time conversation.

“We are excited to share this film because it makes a strong case for why women’s entrepreneurship, and more specifically, why organizations to support the advancement of women’s entrepreneurship are critical. It highlights the challenges women face,” said Amy Gannon, Co-Founder & Director of Programming, Doyenne. “Doyenne works relentlessly, in Madison and beyond, to address these challenges and create opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive.”

Doyenne’s Movie Night will take place on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Sundance Cinemas in Madison, Wisconsin. Tickets cost $20 per person and include free popcorn, movie screening and networking. Tickets at the door cost $30 per person. Discounted rates for students and groups of 5 and 10 attendees are also available.

For more information about the event, please visit: https://www.doyennegroup.org/event/special-doyenne-screening-of-dream-girl/

For more information about the film, please visit: http://dreamgirlfilm.com

Doyenne encourages members of the community to gather friends to attend for an evening of inspiration, information and an understanding of the work Doyenne does and how they can get involved in the movement.

About Doyenne
Doyenne was founded in 2012 to address the gender gap within the entrepreneurial community in Madison, WI. Unlike other entrepreneur organizations, Doyenne takes an individualized approach in developing transformative learning opportunities for women. It’s programming is focused on four pillars of success: Community Collaboration, Connect Networks, Developing Entrepreneurs and Funding Ventures.

Together these areas of emphasis ignite and empower smart, aspirational, modern women to come together and drive each other forward on the path to success. Ultimately, Doyenne is a movement to change the face of entrepreneurship in Madison and beyond. For more information please visit: http://www.doyennegroup.org/

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SVA and BBB team up for ShredFest 2017

SVA and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are set to host ShredFest 2017 in Madison and Milwaukee. Complimentary shredding services will be available to the public on April 29, 2017 at Warner Park in Madison and on May 6, 2017 at the SVA offices in Brookfield.

Every three seconds someone is a victim of identity theft. Criminals can use your stolen personal and financial information to access your bank accounts, open new accounts, and apply for loans, credit cards and other goods and services. Prevention is key and one way to protect yourself is to shred documents that are no longer needed.

“In today’s environment where identity theft is continually on the rise, it is vitally important to dispose of confidential documents properly to protect one’s personal information,” states Carl Schultz, President & CEO of SVA. “We are excited to provide this complimentary shredding event to our clients and the community so they can feel safe and secure.”

For more information including times and locations, visit www.SVAaccountants.com/events.

About SVA

Since our inception in 1974, we have focused on developing long-standing business relationships.  As our clients’ businesses and personal interests have grown, we have increased our service offerings to meet their expanding needs.

Now over 40 years later, SVA and its affiliates are recognized leaders offering a wide range of professional services including audit and accounting, tax, business information technologies, wealth management, trust and estate administration services.

The cornerstone of SVA will always remain the same, providing service and value to help our clients achieve measurable results, while exceeding their expectations.  SVA is not only dedicated to the clients we serve, we are dedicated to the communities we serve, maintaining a long tradition of involvement and support.

SVA is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, employs over 300 staff, and has additional offices in Milwaukee and Appleton, Wisconsin and Rockford, Illinois.

www.sva.com