Workforce Corner: NWWIB’s conference celebrates 10 years of innovative ideas to Northwoods

Collaboration is at the heart of any successful business plan. In competitive markets, establishing an organizational environment where all parties benefit from the partnership can be very advantageous.

Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (NWWIB) recognizes how important building a consortium can be, which is why this is one of the emphases at our upcoming conference.

A highlight of this year’s conference is a panel discussion, “Strategies for Making Collaboration Work,” led by local business leaders.

The panel is comprised of representatives from Ashland Yoga Studio, Jet Travel and Tour, and Solstice Outdoors. The panel will share their experiences and insights about developing an organizational environment where they could work together effectively to benefit their respective businesses and the community.

Health and wellness programs are also a focus of this year’s conference. Such programs have been gaining in popularity lately since they align the economic incentives of the employer and the employee: Both have a financial stake in engaging in more healthful behaviors, which could drive down health care costs. Last year’s keynote speaker, Ted Schick from Schick Corporate Learning, will be back and presenting on the topic of fitness and health.

The 2012 Northwest Wisconsin Business Development Conference takes place May 9-10 at AmericInn Hotel and Conference Center in Ashland, Wis. NWWIB is proud to be hosting the 10th year of this premiere regional event. The conference opens May 9 at 12:45 p.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. May 10.

Along with Ted Schick, Brad Gingras, chief operating officer of Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program Inc. (CEP Inc.), will also be returning. The full conference line-up includes:

Solutions Thinking

Follow Me! What the Best Leaders do to get People to Follow

Social Media Strategies for Your Business

Strategies for Making Collaboration Work Panel Discussion

Staying in the Game — 10 Ways to Stay Motivated in your Fitness & Health

The E-Myth Revisited

Labor and Employment Law Updates and Legislation

The Data Business Needs to Know: A Presentation on Labor Market Information

Wellness and Ergonomics in the Workplace

The Office: The Past, Present and Preparing for the Future

Deputy Secretaries of the Wisconsin departments of workforce development and tourism: Power of Tourism and its Impact on the Region’s Workforce

Before the event begins, there will be a special Labor and Employment Law for Public Employers Pre-Conference presented by Weld, Riley, Prenn, and Ricci, S. C. The pre-conference is brought to you by CEP Inc.’s Business Services. This workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at noon. Human Resource Managers, Elected Officials, Supervisors, and Business Owners, or others who want a refresher on the basics with a focus on the 2011 Wisconsin Acts 10 and 32 are encouraged to attend.

A reception will be held at AmericInn on Wednesday evening to give attendees plenty of networking opportunities.

Wellness activities, including Zumba! and Yoga, will also be a part of the conference.

Attendees must be register in advance to attend these sessions. To register for the Business Conference and the Pre-Conference, visit http://tinyurl.com/2012NWWIBConference. To attend the two-day conference, the cost is $65. The cost of attending both the pre-conference and the conference is only $100. Other registration options are available.

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