The 2025 Central Wisconsin Workforce Solutions Summit

Join us on March 18-19, 2025, at the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, WI for the Central Wisconsin Workforce Solutions Summit. This key event brings together business leaders, industry experts, and regional stakeholders to discuss and develop actionable solutions for the growing workforce shortage in Central Wisconsin. With keynote addresses from:

 

Layla Merrifield, President of the Wisconsin Technical College System

Matt Kirchner, President of ATS/LAB Midwest

Matthew Kures, Community Economic Development Specialist and Researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension Community Development Institute

Edward Erfurt, Director of Community Action at Strong Towns

 

Attendees can expect hands-on workshops, networking sessions, and panel discussions focused on solving workforce challenges in our region. Whether you’re an employer, employee, or a student, this summit will equip you with the tools and insights necessary to address workforce gaps, boost career opportunities, and strengthen the economic future of Central Wisconsin. Don’t miss the opportunity to contribute to this critical conversation.

 

Agenda:

Pre-Reception Networking 3/18/2025 –  5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 

Check In, Networking, Appetizers, and Bar

• Room: Farm Tech Shed

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Remarks from Centergy President and CEO Angel Laidlaw, and featured Speakers Edward Kurfurt and Layla Merrfield

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Networking, Appetizers, Bar

 

Workforce Solutions Summit Agenda 3/19/2025  – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM

Event Registration and Breakfast

• Room: Foyer and Grand Hall

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM

Opening Remarks

• Room: Grand Hall

9:00 AM – 9:40 AM

Opening Keynote: Layla Merrifield, President of the Wisconsin Technical College System

• Room: Grand Hall

9:40 AM – 10:25 am 

Second Keynote: Matt Kirchner, Present of ATS/LAB Midwest and Host of the TechEd Podcast

• Room: Grand Hall

10:25 am – 10:40 AM

Networking Morning Break

• Room: Foyer 

 

10:40 AM – 11:25 AM 

Breakout Session:

Track A: Workplace Technology

Presenters:

• Gautam Malik; Gamber Johnson
• Sarah Ceballos; Gamber Johnson

Room: Kitchen Lab

Track B: Outdoor Recreation Panel

Presenters:

• Renae Krings; Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership
• Cassandra Mordini; Outdoor Recreation
• Mike Repyak; Kayperworks Outdoor Recreation Consulting

Room: Farm Shed

Track C: Veteran Talent Attractions

Presenters

• Angel Laidlaw; Centergy Inc.,
• Steve Janke; Semper Forward

Room: Makers Space

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Breakout Session:

Track A: New AI Center and AI Initiatives

Presenters:

• Darren J Ackley; Northcentral Technical College
• Dr. Chris Severson; Mid-State Technical College
• Israel Squires; Midpoint Consulting

Room: Kitchen Lab

Track B: Your Employee’s Healthcare

Presenters:

• John Preuss; M3 Insurance

Room: Farm Shed

Track C: Refugee Engagement

Presenter:

• Tana Delonay

Room: Makers Space

 

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM 

Lunch Break

• Room: Grand Hall

 

1:15 PM  – 2:00 PM

Breakout Session:

Track A: Bridging Education and Industry: Mid-State Technical College’s Role in Workforce Development and the AMETA Center

Presenter:

• Jackie Essleman; Mid-State Technical College
• Cole Schmidt; Mid-State Technical College

Room: Kitchen Lab

Track B: Know the Numbers – Central Wisconsin in Housing

Presenter:

• Sam Wessel; North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

Room: Farm Shed

Track C: Wood County Broadband

• Jason Grueneberg; Wood County Wisconsin

Room: Makers Space

2:05 PM – 2:50 PM

Session 2: Childcare Discussion Panel

Moderator:

• Kelly Borchardt; Childcaring

Presenter:

• Sara Guild; Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation
• Ann Lemmer; Marathon County
• Erica Sherman; Wood County Health Department
• Sarah Sturm; Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce

Room: Grand Hall

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM 

Third Keynote: Matt Kures, Community Economic Development Specialist and Researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension Community Development Institute

Room: Grand Hall

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM 

Closing Keynote: Edward Erfurt, Director of Strong Towns

Room: Grand Hall