Description

Next Wave+ is an advanced professional development series created by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce for young professionals ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.

Building on the success of Next Wave Wausau, this six-session series dives deeper into leadership, community understanding, and cross-industry collaboration. Each session is designed to give participants executive-level insights, real-world perspectives, and opportunities to connect with influential leaders shaping the Greater Wausau region.

Through Next Wave+, participants will:

• Strengthen leadership and communication skills through focused, discussion-based sessions.
• Learn directly from community executives, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders.
• Explore key topics like economic development, quality of life, entrepreneurship, and regional heritage.
• Expand professional networks with peers and established leaders across industries.

This series bridges the gap between early-career engagement and advanced leadership development, providing the tools, relationships, and perspective needed to lead confidently in today’s workplace.

2025–2026 Program Themes

• Executive Reception - December 10th, 2025 
  • Cohort participants and their management representative will be invited to join us for an executive reception at the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce. In addition, community executives will join the group and set the tone for the bright future the participants have. 
• History & Heritage – (TBD Week of January 26th) 
  • Taking place at one of Wausau's historically significant locations, the Cohort will be exposed to some of the historical impacts that built our community and how their legacies still live on today. 
• Quality of Life – (TBD Week of February 23rd) 
  • In our community, we take pride in our Quality of Life, and this key statistic is a significant draw for many as soon as they engage with the community. This session will showcase how that is possible while having a little fun along the way. 
• Entrepreneurship – March 25th, 2026
  • This region was built on the success of entrepreneurs in our area, many of whose stories have yet to be told. During this session, participants will hear from Entrepreneurs, big and small, about their process of contributing to the region, all taking place at our region's Small Business Incubator. 
• Regional Economic Development – May 28th, 2026
  • Our community is in the midst of significant economic investments and shifts, and participants will have the opportunity to hear directly about them while at a regional hub of the Central Wisconsin Airport. 
• Leadership – (TBD Week of June 22nd)
  • This session will serve as a launching point for cohort participants to integrate the information and relationships that they have gained throughout the program. 

Audience: Emerging and mid-level professionals looking to grow as leaders and deepen their community and business acumen.

Capacity: Limited to 40 participants per series.

Registration Fee: $300 per participant (includes all six sessions)

Register today and be part of the region’s next generation of leadership.