Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce Events Newswire

Corporate Risk Management Series: Reputational Risk in the Digital Age: Protecting Your Business Means Protecting Your Brand in the Workplace and with Employees 8/5/2026 8:30 AM - 8/5/2026 9:30 AM

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:38:22 GMT

Negative online reviews, social media commentary, and employee complaints can create significant reputational and operational risks for businesses. Whether the source is a dissatisfied customer, competitor, or current or former employee, organizations must understand the legal and employment implications of these situations and respond strategically to minimize potential harm.

Join Heather Bailey and Danessa Watkins for a discussion on managing reputational risk in today's digital environment. This session will explore common sources of negative publicity, the legal considerations surrounding online commentary, and practical approaches for addressing workplace-related issues that may impact an organization's reputation.

Topics will include:

Defamatory statements versus protected opinions;
The stages of a reputational risk event;
Responding to negative reviews and publicity;
Employment law considerations involving employee complaints; and
NLRB implications and risk management strategies.

Business BEFORE Hours with FaB Wisconsin at Valentine Coffee - Downer 8/6/2026 8:00 AM - 8/6/2026 10:00 AM

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 19:23:08 GMT

You’re Invited:
Perk Up Your Morning with MMAC & FaB Wisconsin at Valentine Coffee

MMAC, FaB Wisconsin, and Valentine Coffee invite you to a special collaborative networking morning on Thursday, August 6th, from 8:00-10:00 AM.

Kick-start your morning with meaningful connections, great conversation and exceptional coffee at Valentine Coffee - one of Milwaukee's thoughtfully crafted, purpose-driven roasters.

In collaboration with FaB Wisconsin, this Business Before Hours brings together professionals for a relaxed, energizing start to the day. Valentine Coffee is known for its small-batch roasting, ethical sourcing practices and commitment to quality resulting in a lineup that's as flavorful as it is intentional.

Beyond the cup, Valentine is deeply rooted in the community, supporting local nonprofits, prioritizing sustainability and creating welcoming spaces where people come together.

Join us to network with fellow members and industry professionals, learn more about Valentine's approach to coffee and community, and start your day with a local brew that does good and tastes even better! Complimentary drip coffee and Grebe's bakery will be available.

Mosaic on the Lake Yacht Cruise 8/6/2026 6:00 PM - 8/6/2026 8:30 PM

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:41:16 GMT

Mosaic on the Lake - Yacht Cruise

Join MMAC for Mosaic on the Lake, our annual networking cruise aboard the Vista King. More than a networking event, Mosaic on the Lake is a celebration of the leaders, changemakers, and relationship-builders who strengthen our community every day. Cruise Lake Michigan, take in Milwaukee's skyline, and connect with more than 150 professionals while celebrating the diverse leadership shaping our region's future.

This year's theme, Leadership Ladder, brings together leaders from across industries who will share career insights, leadership advice, and the experiences that helped them grow. Throughout the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to meet these leaders, ask questions, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships in a relaxed, unique Milwaukee setting.

Whether you're taking your first step on the leadership ladder, preparing for your next one, reconnecting with familiar faces, or expanding your circle of influence, you'll be part of an inspiring gathering that reflects the diverse perspectives, experiences, and leadership journeys that make Milwaukee stronger.

Seating is limited. Advance registration is required, and walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Agenda :

4:30–6:00 p.m. | Optional Pre-Cruise Networking Gathering

Location: The Spread MKE - 1137 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr Milwaukee, WI 53203

Start the evening with MMAC, Community Partners, featured leaders, and fellow attendees before boarding the Vista King. Enjoy light refreshments, conversation, and networking as you begin building new relationships.

6:00 p.m., we'll gather as a group and make a short walk to the dock for boarding.

6:00 p.m. | Boarding Begins

Registration and boarding will begin at 6:00 p.m. Please arrive early to allow time for parking, check-in, and secure your preferred seating onboard.

The Vista King departs promptly at 6:30 p.m. and cannot wait for late arrivals.

A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. Food will not be provided during the cruise, but guests are welcome to bring snacks or food purchased before boarding.

6:30–8:30 p.m. | Leadership Ladder Cruise

Spend two hours cruising Lake Michigan while networking with professionals from Milwaukee's business, nonprofit, education, and civic communities.

Meet featured leaders and exchange ideas, build new connections, and enjoy spectacular views of the city skyline as the sun sets over the lake.

8:30–10:00 p.m. | Optional After-Party

Location: TBD

Keep the conversations going after the cruise with an informal gathering nearby. Continue building relationships, reconnect with new contacts, and celebrate an evening of leadership and community.

Community Partners

African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee (AALAM)
AALAM is a cross-sector network that develops, connects and positions Milwaukee’s leadership talent, offering professionals and business leaders opportunities to strengthen their leadership capacity, expand relationships and contribute to the region’s growth.

Hispanic Collaborative
Hispanic Collaborative brings business, civic and community leaders together to improve outcomes for Milwaukee’s Latino community through data, advocacy, investment and systemic change—providing valuable insight into the people, businesses and opportunities shaping the region’s future.

Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM)
HPGM connects and advances Wisconsin’s Hispanic professional community through leadership development, educational investment, networking and community engagement, creating opportunities for professionals and employers to build relationships and support a stronger regional talent pipeline.

ElevAsian
ElevAsian celebrates and elevates Wisconsin’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through cultural experiences, education and support for AAPI businesses, helping professionals and business leaders build relationships and deepen their connection to an important part of the region’s culture and economy.

First Generation Professionals of Milwaukee (FGPM)
FGPM helps first-generation students and professionals navigate professional life through practical career guidance, mentorship and cross-generational connections, while giving established professionals and business leaders meaningful opportunities to share their experience and strengthen Milwaukee’s future workforce.

MMAC Annual Golf Outing 8/10/2026 8:30 AM - 8/10/2026 6:00 PM

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 20:39:44 GMT

We are currently at capacity.
Please email Becky Glass (bglass@mmac.org) if you would like to be put on the waitlist.

MMAC's 36th Annual Golf Outing is a popular social gathering for MMAC members and C-Suite Executives. This year we are excited to invite our golfers to the Tripoli Country Club.

GOLF PACKAGE
Golfer fees include 18 holes of golf (scramble format), brunch, shared golf cart, on-course beverages, contest prizes and after-round heavy hors d'oeuvres.

Come alone, bring a guest, or fill a foursome!

THE DAY'S SCHEDULE
8:30 AM – Registration and Practice Range
9:30 AM – Brunch
10:30 AM – Shotgun Start

Immediately following Golf
• Cocktails (cash bar) and dinner

Registration is limited. Reservations are guaranteed upon receipt of payment. Cancellations/refunds are accepted until the registration deadline of Monday, August 3rd.

REGISTER NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

Strategic Exit Planning: Building Value and Preparing for a Successful Business Transition 8/11/2026 8:00 AM - 8/11/2026 10:00 AM

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:42:37 GMT

For many business owners, their business is their largest financial asset – and their biggest opportunity to fund retirement, preserve a legacy, and achieve long-term financial security. Yet too many wait until they're ready to exit before discovering gaps that reduce business value, limit transition options, or complicate the sale process.

Equip yourself with a practical roadmap for preparing your business for a successful transition long before your exit is on the horizon. Learn how to evaluate exit options, increase business value, reduce owner dependency, prepare for a sale or ownership transfer, and better understand the valuation and transaction process.

Whether you're years away from exiting or just beginning to think about succession, you'll discover what buyers value most, the steps you can take to command a higher purchase price, and how proactive planning can create greater flexibility and improve long-term outcomes.

Key Topics

Exit planning fundamentals and transition options
Assessing exit readiness
Building business value and reducing risk
Understanding valuation and value drivers
Preparing for a sale, due diligence, and negotiations
Aligning business goals with personal and financial objectives

Register at https://accountants.sva.com/event/strategic-exit-planning-building-value-and-preparing-for-a-successful-business-transition

Chicago Fed Wisconsin Economic Roundtable 8/11/2026 12:00 Noon - 8/11/2026 2:30 PM

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 22:05:28 GMT

Invitation to the Chicago Fed Wisconsin Economic Roundtable on August 11, 2026

You are invited to participate in the next Wisconsin Economic Roundtable, which will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm CT at HellermannTyton, with an optional factory tour afterwards. The Chicago Fed holds quarterly meetings of business leaders from a broad range of industries in order to get input about current economic conditions and emerging issues in the Wisconsin economy. Normally meeting in Madison, these roundtables help inform the process of preparing Fed leadership to engage in monetary policy decisions.

When you register for this event, please select if you will be attending the meeting in-person or virtually. The regular discussion will begin at 12:30 pm after a lunch for those attending in-person. For those who are interested in a manufacturing tour after the meeting, please indicate such during registration. Then after the roundtable, drive to 6701 W. Good Hope
Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223 (2 miles from main meeting).

Here is the roundtable registration link: https://cvent.me/wV0qNm).

AI Roundtable with SVA Consulting 8/13/2026 8:00 AM - 8/13/2026 10:30 AM

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:42:20 GMT

Join SVA Consulting and a cross-industry group of innovators for a morning of insight, collaboration, and connection.

Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or already experimenting with tools and automation, this session is designed to help make AI feel more approachable and practical. You’ll hear how others are thinking about and using AI in their businesses, see real examples, and have the opportunity to reflect on where it might fit within your own organization.

Through a mix of practical overview, real-world use cases, and guided table discussions, you’ll leave with new ideas, fresh perspective, and a clearer sense of what your next step could be.

Why Attend:

Make AI Feel More Practical: Gain a clear, grounded understanding of what AI is and where it can realistically fit in your business.
Get Inspired by Real Examples: See how tools like custom GPTs, automation, and data-driven AI are being applied in everyday scenarios.
Learn from Peers: Hear what others at your table are trying, what’s working, and where they’re running into challenges.
Identify Your Next Step with AI: Walk away with ideas ranging from simple starting points to longer-term possibilities.

Event Highlights:

AI Overview & Use Cases: A practical introduction to AI, how we got here, and where it fits, followed by three example use cases that demonstrate how AI can support business processes and decision-making.
Facilitated Table Discussions: A guided roundtable conversation to help you reflect on: where you currently stand with AI, what’s holding you back, and where opportunities may exist in your business
Wrap-Up: Practical takeaways, key trends, and how SVA Consulting can help you continue the momentum.
Optional Networking: Stay after to connect one-on-one with peers and SVA advisors.

This session is designed to help AI feel less intimidating, spark new ideas, and give you a better sense of where to begin or where to go next.

Register at https://consulting.sva.com/event/ai-roundtable-with-sva-consulting-1

For the Love of Sales - Modern Sales in the Age of AI 8/13/2026 3:00 PM - 8/13/2026 5:00 PM

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:52:27 GMT

Modern Sales in the Age of AI: How to Stay Relevant and Close More Deals

Sales is changing! Today's buyers are more informed, more independent and often further along in their decision-making before ever speaking with a salesperson.

At the same time, AI is reshaping how sales professionals research, communicate and close deals. With so much noise surrounding tools and tactics, it can be difficult to know where to start or what actually works.

In this practical, no-fluff session, Lori Highby breaks down how to use AI to sell smarter, move faster and show up more prepared in every interaction.

Designed for both business owners and sales professionals, this session blends strategy with real-world application so you can immediately put AI to work in your sales process. Attendees will learn:
-How AI is changing the modern buying journey (and what it means for your sales approach)
-Where AI fits into your current sales process
-Practical ways to use AI to prepare for meetings, write better outreach and think more strategically
-How to use AI as a "thinking partner" to improve confidence and decision-making
-The most common mistakes people make with AI in sales

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

YOUR SPEAKER:

Lori Highby
CEO & Founder

Speaker Bio:
Lori has over two decades of experience in digital marketing and sales alignment, Lori specialized in bridging the gap between strategy and execution. She is a nationally recognized speaker, workshop facilitator, and instructor for the Agency Management Institute, teaching marketing and agency professionals how to think more strategically, communicate more effectively, and leverage emerging technologies like AI in practical, impactful ways. A frequent speaker on AI, marketing, and business growth, Lori's approach is grounded, actionable, and focused on helping professionals apply what they learn immediately.

About Keystone Click
Keystone Click is a strategic digital marketing agency that helps B2B organizations - particularly in construction, manufacturing, and professional services - generate leads and drive measurable business growth. With a strong focus on SEO, AI-driven marketing, and customer journey optimization, Keystone Click partners with organizations to build scalable marketing systems that align with how modern buyers research and make decisions. Known for its research-first approach and commitment to doing things the right way, Keystone Click acts as a trusted partner to clients seeking clarity, consistency, and long-term results.

Business After Hours w/ Visit Milwaukee @ Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Building 8/20/2026 4:30 PM - 8/20/2026 7:00 PM

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:22:37 GMT

You're Invited!

Join us at the Dairy Building at Wisconsin State Fair Park for our August Partner Mixer! This event is presented in partnership with Visit Milwaukee.

You'll have a chance to network with hundreds of MMAC members and Visit Milwaukee partners while enjoying apps, drinks, and fun activations within the space of the newly-renovated Dairy Building.

We look forward to seeing you there!

BizTimes Women in Business Symposium 8/21/2026 7:30 AM - 8/21/2026 12:00 Noon

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:49:13 GMT

This half-day symposium filled with valuable insights will help you take your career and leadership skills to the next level. Hear a panel of women from a range of industries discuss their journeys, attend breakout sessions to go deeper on important topics, network with women from across the southeastern Wisconsin business community and join in celebrating the 2025 Woman Executive of the Year.

For Speakers and Additional Information, please visit Women in Business Symposium

AGENDA
7:30-8:00AM | Networking & Breakfast
8:00-10:00AM | Welcome & Program
10:20-12:00PM | Breakout Sessions