Bank of Sun Prairie Takes Gold in Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals’ Prestigious MarCom Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2024

Contact: Jimmy Kauffman, President and CEO
608.837.4511 ● jimmy.kauffman@bankofsunprairie.com

Bank of Sun Prairie Takes Gold in Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals’ Prestigious MarCom Awards
Commercial Showcasing Bank’s ‘Sweet Spot’ Campaign Wins

Sun Prairie, Wis.— Bank of Sun Prairie has won a Gold Award in the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) MarCom Awards for their commercial highlighting a barista and customer with extremely specific coffee preferences.

“This recognition is such a treat for all of us,” Bank of Sun Prairie’s Chief Retail Officer John Loeffler shared. “The Sweet Spot campaign highlights the meaning behind our corporate tagline The Right Balance and our strength as a service-driven community bank with the ability to customize solutions to the granular needs of our customers.”

The spot was produced in partnership with Sioux Falls, South Dakota Marketing Agency Epicosity. “We couldn’t be happier the spot has been received so well,” said Epicosity Account Executive Seth Bjordal. “The reward for us is collaborating with wonderful clients like Bank of Sun Prairie, and we couldn’t be happier for them and their continued success.”

About the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) is an international organization, founded in 1995, consisting of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, digital and web professionals. AMCP administers recognition programs, provides judges, and rewards outstanding achievement and service to the community. The MarCom Awards honors excellence in marketing and communication while recognizing the creativity, hard work, and generosity of industry professionals. Since its inception in 2004, MarCom has evolved into one of the largest, most-respected creative competitions in the world. Each year 6,500 print and digital entries are submitted from dozens of countries. Visit https://marcomawards.com

About Epicosity is a full-service agency with deep experience in brand development, media and the ever-evolving digital and social strategies. Its mission is to awaken champions of the new economy. https://www.epicosity.com/

About Bank of Sun Prairie bankofsunprairie.com
Bank of Sun Prairie is a locally owned, full-service community bank with $749.6 million in assets and five locations in Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove, Wis. Its mission is to be trusted advisor for families, businesses and communities offering a complete range of services, while delivering fair returns for stockholders. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

Photograph attached. Video: https://youtu.be/FcmX0t6ahAQ

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Endres Manufacturing Company Acquires Skyline Steel, Inc.

Waunakee, WI—February 2, 2024

Endres Manufacturing Company announced today that it has acquired the assets of Skyline Steel, Inc. located in Arlington, WI.  Skyline Steel is a structural steel and miscellaneous metals fabrication that is family-owned and has been in business since 2000. The acquisition will allow Endres Manufacturing to expand its offerings and increase its production to meet customer demands.

Jerry Raflik, President of Skyline Steel says, “Endres is a great organization, and we are excited for this new opportunity to work with Endres and to create a smooth transition for our customers and employees.” Sam Ballweg, President of Endres Manufacturing says, “We are thrilled to join forces with Skyline Steel. This acquisition will support our goal of being the top structural steel fabricator in Southern Wisconsin. With the addition of this new location, we will have additional capacity to better serve the customers of both organizations.”

Skyline Steel will be integrated into Endres Manufacturing’s existing operations, and Skyline Steel employees will become part of the Endres Family.  Endres is an AISC-certified family-owned steel manufacturing company that has been in business since 1926.  Endres works on everything from the most complicated construction projects down to individual beams for home builders and are specialists in decorative railings and specialty metals. The asset acquisition will allow each location to serve more customers at an even higher level. A genuine commitment to customers and employees has always been a vision shared by both companies.

For more information, visit www.EndresMfg.com.

Madison Black Chamber of Commerce Announces 6th Annual Black Business Awards Dinner

Madison, WI – The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the 6th Annual Black Business Awards Dinner, a prestigious event recognizing and celebrating the exceptional achievements of Black-owned businesses in our vibrant community. The event is Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center and starts with a Red Carpet Arrival at 5:00 PM.

Spotlighting the resilience, innovation, and triumphs of Black entrepreneurs and businesses across South Central Wisconsin, the awards dinner has established itself as a triumphant celebration of Black Business Excellence during Black History Month. This year’s event promises an evening of Ebony Elegance and inspiration as we celebrate the often overlooked “Supporting Players” in our community that help us be our best selves! 

Winners of the Beauty Innovator Award, Style & Grace Award, Retail Excellence Award and nine other unique award categories will be announced during the ceremony.  

Nominations are now open to the public, and the Chamber encourages community participation in recognizing well-deserving Black-owned businesses and Black entrepreneurs. Members of the public can nominate across 12 award categories, with a limit of one ballot per person. Nominations can be submitted through https://bit.ly/mbccvotes.

Featured players of the evening include a curated collection of premium vendors selling a wide variety of luxurious goods and sophisticated services at the Black Wall Street Marketplace. Bolstering the vendors is the official Black Wall Street exhibit from the Tulsa Historical Society & Museum, a beautiful tribute showcasing the prosperity and perseverance of Black-owned businesses.

Key Event Highlights

1. Date and Time: Thursday, February 22, 2024. Red carpet rolls out at 5:00 PM.

2. Venue: The Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, a distinguished location providing a backdrop for an elegant and uplifting evening. Tickets can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/mbcctickets

3. Award Categories: Recognizing Black Business Excellence and showcasing the diversity and strength of our local business community. Nominate a business here through February 5.  https://bit.ly/mbccvotes

4. Black Wall Street Marketplace: Visit the Black Wall Street art exhibit from the Tulsa Historical Society & Museum while shopping from a curated collection of local businesses, artists, and vendors that embody Black Business Excellence.  Vendors can register here through February 11. https://bit.ly/mbccvendorcall

The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce extends a warm invitation to community members, business leaders, and supporters to join in this celebration of entrepreneurship, empowerment, and economic growth.

For media inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or ticket purchases, please contact: 
George Smith  
Public Relations and Outreach Specialist 
Madison Black Chamber of Commerce   
(312) 305-0130 
george@madisonblackchamber.com

About Madison Black Chamber of Commerce: 
The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is committed to promoting economic empowerment and fostering a thriving business community for Black entrepreneurs throughout South Central Wisconsin. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, the Chamber aims to create an environment that supports the growth and success of Black-owned businesses. General information available at https://www.madisonblackchamber.com/ 

Stirling, Schwartz now members of the Klaas Financial Asset Advisors

Klaas Financial announced on February 1, 2024 that Josh Stirling and Eric J. Schwartz have become members of the Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC.

Josh Stirling, CFA, Director of Portfolio Management joined Klaas in 2017. Eric J. Schwartz, CFP®, Investment Adviser Representative began his career at Klaas back in 2020. Both gentlemen work in Klaas Financial’ Fitchburg, WI location.

Wellness Advocate, Author Jessamyn Stanley to Speak on Yoga, Empowerment at Wisconsin Union Directorate Event Feb. 28

MADISON – Entrepreneur and yoga instructor Jessamyn Stanley will share her thoughts on inclusive wellness approaches and intersectionality at Tripp Commons in Memorial Union Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) Committee’s free lecture lineup.

The event, titled “Yoga, Diversity, and Empowerment: A Journey with Jessamyn Stanley,” will feature a 60-minute lecture followed by a 30-minute audience Q&A. No tickets are necessary – admission is free and open to the public, with live captioning and American Sign Language interpreters provided. 

Co-founder of The Underbelly, a virtual yoga studio focused on creating authenticity and approachability within the yoga community, Stanley believes in transforming wellness from a universal idealized look to an approach that adapts to the unique needs of each person and body.

Her books, “Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body.” and “Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance,” have reached global audiences and provide perspectives on a body-positive and inclusive approach to yoga, wellness and loving oneself.

“Yoga peels back the edges of your mask, pushing you to the edge of who you’re pretending to be, introducing you to the luminance that lies beneath,” Stanley said in a 2021 interview with CNN. “You can find the answers to life’s biggest questions within that light inside you.” 

In addition to her video and outreach content, Stanley was also the host of relationship podcast “Dear Jessamyn” and was on Essence’s Future 15 List in 2020.

This event is supported in part by the Ed Garvey Lecture Fund.

The WUD DLS Committee brings engaging and influential people to the UW–Madison campus to encourage thought-provoking conversations. WUD includes 12 committees and six Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that program thousands of events each year.

University of Wisconsin–Madison students interested in becoming a leader of WUD DLS – or any WUD committee or club – during the 2024-2025 academic year may apply online. WUD student leaders may be eligible for reimbursement of the equivalent of up to 80% of in-state tuition. Applications for WUD officer positions close Feb. 9 and applications for WUD directors and summer coordinator positions close March 1.

Patrons can learn more about the upcoming free talk featuring Jessamyn Stanley here.