Madison’s Truax Field Chosen to Receive State-of-the-Art F-35A Aircraft

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Dec. 21, 2017)

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

MADISON – Today the United States Air Force announced it has selected Madison’s Truax Field, home of the 115^th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard, as one of two sites that will receive state-of-the-art, next-generation F-35A aircraft. Madison had been one of five finalist sites previously announced by the Air Force in December 2016. In response to today’s announcement, Chamber President Zach Brandon released the following statement:

“We are extremely proud and excited about today’s announcement for the 1,200 airmen of the 115^th Fighter Wing, as well as for Greater Madison’s economy. The selection of the 115^th to receive the F-35A ensures the benefits of the base – including $100 million in annual economic impact, emergency services for Dane County Regional Airport and tuition support for area students who serve in the Guard – will remain in Greater Madison for decades to come.

“This selection would not have been possible without years of commitment from the Wisconsin Air National Guard, the leadership of the 115^th, the advocacy of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, state leaders and local elected officials from Dane County, the Chamber’s partnership with the Badger Air Community Council and everyone who has shown their support through the Together Truax initiative. We are incredibly thankful to all of them for their hard work and dedication to making this day a reality.

“We look forward to welcoming the F-35A to Madison and continuing to stand with the men and women of the 115^th.”

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.

About Together Truax:
Launched in June 2016 by the Chamber, in partnership with the Badger Air Community Council, Together Truax is a program dedicated to assisting the effort to base the F-35A aircraft at Madison’s Truax Field. The initiative has included advocacy, marketing and lobbying, generating more than $100,000 in private investment and enlisting more than 2,100 supporters. More information can be found at togethertruax.com.

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Restaurateur Susan Bulgrin to Receive Chamber’s 2017 “Ground Floor Award” for Small Business Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Nov. 1, 2017)

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

MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced today that Susan Bulgrin, owner of three area Culver’s restaurants and the Echo Tap & Grill, will receive the Chamber’s second annual Ground Floor Award for small business leadership. The award, which recognizes true champions for small business both within their business and in the community, will be presented during a special nex7 Stage event Nov. 13 at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA).

“Susan’s passionate advocacy for small business and dedication to community service make her the perfect recipient for this year’s Ground Floor Award,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “We greatly appreciate Susan’s commitment to making the Chamber and Greater Madison’s business community stronger, and we look forward to honoring her on the nex7 Stage.”

Following a successful career in nursing, Susan Bulgrin opened her first restaurant – Culver’s on Todd Drive – in 1996. In addition to the Todd Drive location, she now co-owns Culver’s locations on Cottage Grove Road and in McFarland, two Chicago-area Culver’s restaurants and Madison’s Echo Tap & Grill with Paul Kneubuehl and her daughter, Katie Bulgrin.

Bulgrin is the current chair of the Chamber’s Small Business Advisory Council (SBAC) – an advisory committee to the Chamber’s leadership and the Mayor of the City of Madison – and a member of the Chamber’s Membership Committee. She serves on the city’s Economic Development Committee and Safe Food Advisory Committee, the board of Starion Financial Bank and the media board of Bethel Lutheran Church. She is also actively involved in Madison Metropolitan School District’s Culinary Advisory Committee and the Wisconsin-based Asset Builders of America, a non-profit that teaches financial capability and economic empowerment to low- and moderate-income youth and families.

“I am very grateful to receive this award, and I share this honor with my fellow SBAC members whose hard work and input are so critical to the long-term health and success of this region,” said Bulgrin. “Small businesses are the cornerstone of America; they create jobs, grow our economy and provide vital support to our community institutions, and we must continue to support them in return.”

In addition to the presentation of the Ground Floor Award, nex7 will also feature compelling pitches from the seven finalists for the Chamber’s second annual Most Innovative Company (MIC) award. The MIC finalists represent a diverse cross-section of industries, missions and locations across Greater Madison. The winner will be determined by audience vote.

To register for this free event, visit: www.greatermadisonchamber.com.

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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News Release: 10/19/2017

James Kademan recently released The BOLD Business Book on Amazon.  The book is geared towards entrepreneurs, small business owners and people that love to read about small business follies.  The book includes stories and tidbits about starting and running a small business in a manner that keeps the reader entertained and educated. 
The book also includes contributing stories from many other small business owners that discuss success, failure and all of the rights of passage for an entrepreneur that happen in between.
The BOLD Business Book is available as a softcover as well as an eBook on Amazon now. 

James Kademan – (608) 210-2221 – james@drawincustomers.com

The Beacon Homeless Day Center Needs Volunteers!

The Beacon Homeless Day Resource Center will open in October and we need YOUR help!

Madison – show those who are living in poverty in our City and County that we care, that YOU CARE. With your help people who are experiencing homelessness will have their basic needs met, find housing and employment, and have a more stable life. The Beacon will provide a SAFE, WELCOMING, and ACCEPTING environment while they find resources that give them real help to address the causes of homelessness.

Please Volunteer at The Beacon.

You can volunteer every week or even just 4 hours a month. There are many opportunities from 8 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year: Laundry and Shower Services, Computer Lab, Guests Advocates, Greeter, Repair & Maintenance, and Food Prep.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and complete an application and background check. Apply at www.TheBeaconHelps.org. Questions? Contact Tami Fleming at 608-826-8022 or tfleming@ccmadison.org.

The Beacon is operated by Catholic Charities Madison.

Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Selects Ideas That Evoke® and Hardin Design & Development to Build New Website and Digital Presence

Ideas That Evoke® – a Madison-based social media, influencer and PR agency serving clients in the beauty, lifestyle and luxury industries – was recently awarded a website rebrand project by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Hardin. Since its foundation, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of local businesses working to strengthen the Madison economy while preserving and improving the community’s quality of life.

As one of the fastest-growing independent creative agencies in the country, Ideas That Evoke will be responsible for rebranding the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s digital presence to best represent the organization’s direction for the coming years. Evoke, which was recently named to the Inc. 5000 roster of fastest-growing private companies in the United States and recognized as the No. 8 Top Company in the State of Wisconsin, is well-equipped to position and generate awareness for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce through content development, innovative design and digital strategy.

“As a member of the Chamber and a Madison-based agency, we share and support many of the same ideals as the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce,” said Kelly Ehlers, Founder and President of Ideas That Evoke. “At Evoke, we work to pioneer the digital strategies of a multitude of industry-leading brands around the world, but our agency is deeply committed to our local roots. We are thrilled to partner with the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce to continue growing the local business sector and foster entrepreneurial success in Madison.”

Supporting a network of nearly 1,300 members from a diverse set of organizations, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce champions the cultivation of world-class ideas and promotes the progressive future of Madison-area businesses. Evoke will offer its creative storytelling and design expertise to transform the Chamber’s digital presence, support the organization’s economic development efforts, and emphasize its role as the voice of the vibrant Greater Madison business community. The new digital platform will highlight Madison’s position as an entrepreneurial epicenter, and further detail the Chamber’s mission to make the local region a global hub for future innovators.

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the latest win for Ideas That Evoke, and joins a roster of clients across several industries, including: AC Hotel by Marriott, Procter and Gamble, Coty Beauty, Andis Company, Tide Dry Cleaners and Olivia Garden.

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About Ideas That Evoke® 
Ideas That Evoke, a social media, digital and PR agency located in Madison, WI, was recently named the #325th Fastest Growing Private Company in America by Inc. Magazine’s annual Inc. 5000 List. The agency, founded by Kelly Ehlers in 2009, is rooted in solving business challenges through the innovative use of social media, influencer marketing and disruptive creative. To learn more about Ideas That Evoke®, visit http://www.IdeasThatEvoke.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.