Description

Join us for the 2022 Future in Focus program, headlined by Wade Goodsell, Executive Director with the WMC Foundation. 

Workforce and talent were a significant challenge ahead of the pandemic.  Today, the challenge is greater and poses a serious economic threat to our region’s economic viability.  Goodsell is acutely aware of the talent issues facing our state and our region. Goodsell’s keynote will focus on the WMC Foundation's most recent report, ‘Wisconsin 2035; A vision for Wisconsin's economic future.’ This publication, released in December of 2021, is an active blueprint for the future of business development in Wisconsin and how it relates to our workforce challenges.

“Wisconsin 2035 is an economic blueprint for the state to be successful.” said Goodsell. “The state is likely to change in many ways over 15 years. To ensure sustained economic growth, Wisconsin cannot sit back and watch as other states pass it by.”

The Wisconsin 2035 report proposes a number of strategies, including breaking down barriers to entry to the state’s labor force, beginning with proposed tax reform. The role that taxes play in talent attraction and retention will be highlighted in Goodsell’s presentation, which will also touch upon aligning education with business needs and a talent attraction campaign.

Three years ago, the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce unveiled the Greater Wausau Region Strategic Economic Development Plan to its members and the community at large. A core strategic pillar in the plan is focused on talent, to develop, attract and retain skilled and knowledgeable workforce that empowers our companies to innovate and compete in the 21st century knowledge economy. This focus on talent is mirrored in the Wisconsin 2035 report.

Dave Eckmann, President/CEO of the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, detailed the workforce challenges facing our region in a Two Minute Drill video earlier this month.  This event will look ahead to the solutions which our state will need to explore to compete nationally.

Featured Speaker

Wade Goodsell, Vice President of Membership & Partnerships; Executive Director, WMC Foundation

Wade Goodsell is Vice President of Membership & Partnerships and Executive Director of the WMC Foundation, an affiliate of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. WMC Foundation houses the Future Wisconsin Project and Wisconsin Business World. In his role, Goodsell leads WMC Foundation’s strategy and fundraising initiatives. Prior to joining WMC Foundation, Goodsell worked at Baker Tilly in a national consulting and business development role, as well as for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation where he served as Business Attraction Director. While at WEDC, he was recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultants Connect in 2016. Goodsell started his career at WMC working in membership and government relations.

Goodsell serves on the board of the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing Productivity and has previously been involved in the Industrial Asset Management Council, the National Association of Industrial and Office Professionals and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association. Goodsell is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of Bethel University.

Lunch

 A lunch buffet is included in the price of admission.  The lunch includes:

• Chicken Forestiere
• Beef Tips
• Salad Bar
• California Blend Vegetables
• Ranch Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
• Fresh Fruit Salad
• Pasta Salad
• Warm Rolls & Butter
• Water & Fresh Brewed Coffee

Special dietary requests must be submitted as the time of registration.  Every attempt will be made to accommodate requests, however, they cannot be guaranteed if they are not submitted a minimum of two weeks prior to the event.