Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce Events Newswire

The AM Exchange 11/4/2026 8:00 AM - 11/4/2026 10:00 AM

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 19:16:01 GMT

The MMAC AM Exchange

A Fresh Way to Start Your Morning and Your Network

The MMAC AM Exchange is a morning networking experience designed for members who want to reconnect, expand their network, and make the most of their MMAC benefits all before the workday is in full swing.

Originally launched as a pilot program, the AM Exchange received strong feedback from participants and has become a valuable opportunity for members to build meaningful connections. A registration fee is now required to ensure an engaging small-group experience, high quality networking and accommodate the event's limited capacity.

The AM Exchange is for new and long-time members who are looking to build relationships in a low-pressure, high-impact setting to aid in growing business and strengthen connections across the MMAC network.

What to Expect

Open Networking
Grab coffee, make connections, and ease into the morning with fellow MMAC members.
Small-Group Conversations
Break into facilitated, small-group sessions with structured talking points to help spark meaningful conversation (no awkward icebreakers required).

Agenda

8-8:30 AM - Open Networking
8:30-9:45 AM - Breakout Networking
9:45-10AM - Closing Discussion

Coffee will be hot. Conversations will be intentional. The rest of the day is yours.

Leadership Luncheon w/ Kristin Dufek 11/5/2026 12:00 Noon - 11/5/2026 1:00 PM

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:47:04 GMT

Leadership Luncheon w/ Kristin Dufek

Milwaukee’s skyline tells a story—and EUA has helped shape it. From the Milwaukee Rep and St. Augustine Preparatory Academy to the Baird Center, 875 East Wisconsin and American Family Field, EUA’s work is woven into the places where Milwaukeeans gather, learn, work and connect. Kristin Dufek, AIA, LEED AP, has spent more than two decades contributing to that work while growing into a leadership role that now places her at the helm of EUA as CEO and President.

For Kristin, leadership is about more than designing buildings. An architect herself, she has spent more than two decades at EUA, moving from project work into executive leadership and helping guide a multidisciplinary firm through growth, change and increasingly complex work. Her experience spans healthcare, workplace, education and community environments, giving her a unique perspective on what it takes to turn a big idea into something people can actually experience.

And the scale of the work is worth paying attention to. EUA’s $80 million transformation of the Milwaukee Rep is reimagining a historic downtown theater complex, while the 174,000-square-foot St. Augustine Preparatory Academy North Campus is creating a new educational environment designed to serve up to 1,000 students, with a future vision to serve more than 2,000. These are not simply buildings. They are major investments in how Milwaukeeans experience culture, education and community.

So what can building a city teach us about building a career and leading people? Join us over lunch as Kristin takes us behind the projects and into the leadership decisions that make them possible. We’ll talk about leading through growth and change, developing talent, navigating the unexpected, building trust across disciplines and what it means to have a hand in shaping the future of a city. Whether you work in architecture and development or simply live, work and build your career in Milwaukee, this is a conversation worth having a seat at.

More About the Speaker:

Kristin Dufek, AIA, LEED AP, is CEO and President and Principal at EUA, a leading architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Milwaukee. A 22-year veteran of EUA, Kristin joined the firm as an architect in 2002, became Vice President in 2015 and was named President in 2021.

An architect by training, Kristin works across EUA’s Community, Healthcare and Workplace markets and brings a people-centered approach to both design and organizational leadership. She describes her role as balancing clients, teams, people and processes while embracing the “organized chaos” that comes with complex work.

EUA’s Milwaukee portfolio includes some of the city’s most recognizable spaces, including the Baird Center, 875 East Wisconsin, American Family Field, Milwaukee Rep | Associated Bank Theater Center, St. Augustine Preparatory Academy North Campus and Komatsu Mining Corporation’s Milwaukee headquarters. The firm also works extensively across healthcare, education, workplace and community environments throughout Wisconsin.

Kristin holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Her leadership has been recognized through her inclusion in the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Wisconsin 275 Most Influential Business Leaders.

About the Leadership Luncheon Series

The Leadership Luncheon Series connects early- to mid-career professionals with the influential leaders shaping Milwaukee’s future. These fast-moving, 60-minute conversations are designed to deliver practical leadership lessons, local insight, and meaningful connection before sending you back into your workday energized and ready to lead.

*Lunch is provided with registration*

Milwaukee Talent Summit 11/10/2026 11:30 AM - 11/10/2026 5:00 PM

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:44:06 GMT

The MMAC and Visit Milwaukee are excited to present the fourth annual Milwaukee Talent Summit!

Our educational sessions will explore the issues that matter most to talent leaders today, including recruitment, employer branding, and creating cultures of belonging. Attendees will gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to help their organizations attract, engage, and retain talent in new ways.

This year's summit will explore The Milwaukee Advantage: Why people come, grow and stay

Sessions will include these topics and more:

Brain Drain: What Does the Data Really Tell Us?
Why Milwaukee? Why We Stay Leave and Come Back
Beyond Belonging: What the Belonging Barometer Tells Us
Gen Z at Work: Building a Career Worth Staying For

Detailed agenda with speakers will be announced soon.

Interested in sponsorships? Check out the opportunities or contact Bryan Kubel or Karen Powell for more information.

For the Love of Sales - The Gift of Critical Feedback 11/12/2026 3:00 PM - 11/12/2026 5:00 PM

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 19:33:18 GMT

The Gift of Critical Feedback

Do you see critical feedback as a "gift"? Giving and receiving feedback is an essential capability for people - leaders and team members alike, and it plays a key role not only in team effectiveness, but also in strengthening client relationships and supporting business growth. It's also one of the most challenging interpersonal skills to develop. In this "train-the-trainer-style" workshop, participants will explore practical tactics for effectively giving "the gift" of critical feedback as well as how to receive feedback from others with gratitude, empathy and confidence.

Learning Objectives:
-Identify common misconceptions and flaws related to giving and receiving a "critique"
-Explore tactics for addressing defensive reactions and other factors that deter honest, authentic feedback
-Learn to coach proven methods for giving and receiving critical feedback
-Recognize how effective feedback can strengthen client relationships, uncover opportunities and support long-term business development

AGENDA:
3:00-3:30PM | Registration & Networking
3:30-4:45PM | Program
4:45-5:00PM | Questions & Wrap-Up

YOUR SPEAKER:

AJ Kruse
Co-Founder & Concept Illustrator at humanworks8

Speaker Bio:
AJ needs to make things make sense, not only for himself, but for you too. This quality, along with his knack for joining backstage design and front stage presentation paved the way for a dynamic professional career that began in elementary education. After making the leap to corporate education, AJ led learning & development at two Milwaukee organizations before co-launching humanworks8 in 2019. Now, he guides strategic planning and leadership development for clients throughout the U.S.

About humanworks8
At humanworks8, we help organizations reach their next level of success through building sustainable and effective people practices. Our solutions are grounded in "The 8" universal truths about people, and each truth translates to a core people touchpoint that exists in every organization. When these touchpoints are strengthened, they enliven workplace culture and drive meaningful business results. humanworks8 partners with owners, executives, and HR leaders across industries, operating as an extension of their team. Our engagements include one-on-one coaching, backstage program development and frontstage facilitation. We're ready to show you how human works.

Business After Hours @ The Grain Exchange 11/12/2026 5:00 PM - 11/12/2026 7:00 PM

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:38:42 GMT

You're Invited: Business After Hours at The Grain Exchange

Join us for an evening of networking at one of Milwaukee's most iconic venues, The Grain Exchange.

Located in the historic Mackie Building in downtown, The Grain Exchange offers a truly unforgettable setting with soaring ceilings, stunning frescoes and elegant architecture that reflects the city's rich history. The grand three-story ballroom combines timeless character with modern hospitality, creating the perfect atmosphere to connect with fellow business leaders and professionals.

Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar provided by the The Bartolotta Restaurants while engaging in meaningful conversation in one of Milwaukee's architectural gems. Whether you're looking to make new connections or strengthen existing relationships, this Business After Hours is one you won't want to miss.

BizTimes Commercial Real Estate & Development Conference 11/18/2026

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:55:59 GMT

The annual Commercial Real Estate and Development Conference, presented by BizTimes Milwaukee, the Vieth Institute for Real Estate Leadership at Marquette University and the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin (CARW), is southeastern Wisconsin’s premier networking and information event for the industry. This conference examines the latest trends in commercial real estate and development and explores the possibilities for the year ahead.

More details to follow

MMAC Member Orientation 11/19/2026 8:00 AM - 11/19/2026 9:30 AM

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:15:56 GMT

Take a customized journey through the MMAC and learn how to maximize your membership.

This briefing shows you what tools are available to help your business grow and provides opportunities to become involved. Whether you are a new member, ‘seasoned’ member or prospective member, come learn about what the MMAC does for you.

AGENDA
8:00AM - 8:30:AM - Registration and Networking
8:30AM - 9:30 AM - Program
9:30AM - 10:00AM - (Optional) Speak with members of our staff
**Team members will be available after the program to answer any additional questions or provide more specific information.