Support the Madison Schools and the next generation of Madison Entrepreneurs

Madison Metropolitan School District, in partnership with the Chamber, launched a new entrepreneurship curriculum in Madison’s high schools this fall. The new Innovation Zone will challenge students to use an entrepreneurial mindset in a fun, collaborative learning environment.

So what’s the key to success for this new effort? YOU! We need coaches, mentors and other volunteers to help students learn about business topics and tackle problems using IDEA (Imagine, Design, Execute, Adapt).

Please join us and spend a little time to make a big impact on our region’s future. Sign up today!

All Signs Point to Improvement for City Sign Code

Over the last year, the Chamber has led a workgroup of city and business leaders focused on finding solutions to problematic areas of Madison’s sign code that would support city planning, safety, and private business goals. This effort began with the introduction of proposed changes to Madison’s sign code that would have created new, across-the-board restrictions and reduced signage for commercial signage. The Chamber opposed the original proposal and built coalition of partners to encourage a more meaningful, comprehensive discussion on Madison’s sign regulations to address city and business concerns. Read the coalition’s letter to Mayor Soglin here.

The Mayor agreed to hold off on his proposals and proceed with the proposed review. To guide that discussion, the workgroup developed six shared goals:

1. We both seek to appropriately manage the use of commercial messages within the city, to provide attractive signage compatible with surroundings, and to prevent unnecessary clutter within the city.
2. Signage options should be affordable for businesses, functional for their locations, and visible for customers.
3. Ordinances should not limit originality or sense of place but allow for the creation of beautiful, vibrant, and safe buildings with quality design.
4. The sign code should prioritize visibility of business signs and take into account factors such as location while making provisions to be flexible, functional, and allow for creative flair.
5. Businesses should have access to clear and easy-to-understand information about signage, city codes, and sign application process.
6. Finally, the sign permit and approval process should be timely and efficient for city staff, committees, and businesses.

Last week, this work culminated with the introduction of several proposed changes to Madison’s sign code. If adopted, these changes not only will provide more flexibility for businesses, it also recognizes the important role that appropriate and identifiable signage has in helping businesses inform, direct and communicate with customers.

We expect more conversations on signage in the future, but this proposed set of changes is a positive step forward.

Chamber Guides Collaborative Approach to Benchmarking

Earlier this week, the Madison Common Council directed city staff to begin work on the creation of a public/private voluntary energy benchmarking program. Benchmarking is a way to measure a building’s energy usage by comparing to usage from similar-sized buildings.

The adoption of this ordinance is the culmination of nearly two years of work. Originally, the program was proposed as mandatory for every city building over a certain size. The Chamber opposed a mandatory approach, which would have been costly, contentious and created false, negative public perceptions regarding energy usage. Rather than malign businesses, the Chamber advocated for a voluntary program that could educate businesses about the benefits of benchmarking to reduce energy consumption and lower costs.

The Chamber commends city leaders for defeating a mandatory, combative approach, and working towards a collaborative, voluntary program that can do great things for both the city’s sustainability and private business goals. In particular, special thanks goes to Alder Matt Phair for his leadership on this issue.

The Chamber will continue to work with all stakeholders in the design, promotion and execution of the program.

Welcome New Members – August 2015

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce welcomes these new members. Please keep these companies in mind when doing business. View the complete directory listing of all Chamber members.

• 4 Elements Garden Designs
• Angus- Young Associates, Inc.
• AnSer
• Bright Promotions LLC
• Costco Wholesale – Middleton
• Costco Whole Sale – Sun Prairie
• Farmers Insurance
• Feldco Windows, Siding & Doors
• Forward Events, LLC
• GadellNet Technology Solutions
• Kennedy Communications
• LightSky
• LPL Financial Services
• Madcelerator, LLC
• MoonWorks Entertainment LLC
• NOAH’S Event Venue
• Paul Mitchell the School Madison
• Per Mar Security
• Reynolds Oliveira LLC
• Ridgestone Bank
• Rod Hise & Co., Ltd.
• Short Stack Eatery
• Smart Solutions, Inc.
• Snowforest
• Strategic Structural Design, LLC
• The Apu Group
• UW-Madison Arts Institute
• Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

Mission Impossible star at neXXpo

 
Event teams with Forward Fest for a major Pitch Night & Happy Hour (and a Half)

MADISON – For 2015, neXXpo – the Chamber’s reimagined business-in-fast-forward expo – is back for a second year, with lots of new twists. Join us for two exciting pitch events, a huge Pitch Night party, a reveal stage with business and community members showcasing what’s next and not-to-miss networking all day and night long on Aug. 25 at Monona Terrace.

While Tom Cruise is not likely to be behind the wheel, when Ethan Hunt cruised up to a Mumbai party in Mission Impossible, his futuristic BMW i8 was the real eye catcher making the scene. At neXXpo, Zimbrick BMW has secured an i8 for showing—a hybrid sports car star in sustainable design innovation that can go zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. For neXXpo attendees who want to get up-close and personal with such an automobile, its sibling, the BMW i3, will also be in the house.

All across the exhibit hall floor will be businesses showcasing the future of their industry, products and services. Nearby is the Nex7 Stage where select exhibitors will be putting on a 7-minute show with a 7-minute interactive audience time to show off the latest trends from 3D printing to the future of education and cybersecurity.

Our neXXpo ’15 doesn’t end with the exhibition floor. Join us after hours for more networking and celebration at the summer’s must-not-miss happy hour (and a half) sponsored by Zendesk with appetizers and an open bar. Top off this amazing day with the excitement of our Shark Tank-style business pitch contest Pressure Chamber and the evening’s finale celebration of local business success in Startup Showcase.

On Aug. 25 at Monona Terrace, make more connections in one day than most people make in a year. Register to attend at www.neXXpo.com. One $20 ticket gets entrance in to all of the events below:

10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Expo Floor: Showcasing what the future holds – what’s next in products and services – for innovative greater Madison businesses.

11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Nex7 Stage: See what’s next for greater Madison businesses and our community in brief 7-minute talks with a 7-minute Q&A.

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pressure Chamber: Step aside Shark Tank. This pitch contest offers greater Madison’s most promising early-stage companies exposure to the region’s business community and top investors. Contestants compete for an all-expenses paid trip to pitch to investors in Silicon Valley.

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Zendesk Happy Hour (and a Half): This Pitch Night reception falls between two great pitch events, sponsored by Zendesk with a signature cocktail, open bar and appetizers.

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. StartUp Showcase: An evening of startup pitches from some of Madison’s most compelling emerging companies. A select group of rising startups will give a five-minute “demo day” style pitch showcasing their company. Co-hosted by Capital Entrepreneurs and Accelerate Madison, a program of the Chamber.

More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.

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