2019 Best Practices Conference

July 17-19, 2019

Milwaukee Marriott Downtown Milwaukee, WI

Register today at www.midamericaedc.org!

THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS

PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSORS

GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS

SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 BEST PRACTICES CONFERENCE SPONSORS

RECEPTION SPONSORS

DAILY BREAK SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, July 16th

We hope your schedule will allow you to participate in pre-conference activities! Plan to enjoy great networking with your Midwest colleagues, as well as great baseball!

Be sure to register early for these Tuesday events/transportation, as space/tickets are limited.

3:15 pm Bus departs from Milwaukee Marriott Downtown to MKE Brewing Co Meet in the hotel lobby by 3:00 pm to board buses.

3:30-5:15 pm Pre-game Networking Reception at MKE Brewing Co MKE Brewing Co, 1128 9th St., Milwaukee WI 53233 Join us on the East Rooftop Deck for a private networking event! Food and drinks are included.

5:15 pm Bus departs from MKE Brewing Co to Milwaukee Marriott Downtown and Miller Park Bus will depart MKE Brewing Co promptly at 5:15. If you would like to attend the Brewers game but cannot attend the MKE Brewing Co reception, you may choose to board the bus at the Marriott at 5:30 for transportation to Miller Park.

5:30 pm Bus departs Milwaukee Marriott Downtown to Miller Park Bus will pick up at the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown at 5:30 p.m. Meet at the hotel main lobby entrance.

6:00-10:00 pm Milwaukee Brewers vs Atlanta Braves – $40 additional fee Enjoy an evening with your colleagues in the Northwestern Mutual Legends Club at Miller Park! A great view of the game and food are included with your ticket, and drink tickets will be provided.

After game Bus departs Miller Park to Milwaukee Marriott Downtown

Wednesday, July 17th

8:15-11:15 am WEDA Academy: Impact Through Redevelopment The Wisconsin Economic Development Association is offering an additional educational component at a discounted rate for Mid-America EDC members! This academy will be held at the Marriott Milwaukee Downtown, as well, for added convenience. Please note that this is an optional event held prior to the Best Practices Conference that you may register for separately at the link below.

Visit http://www.weda.org/events/impact-through-redevelopment/ for more information and to register for the academy (registration is separate from the Best Practices Conference). To receive the discounted registration rate ($10 savings), use the promo code maedcmke.

10:00-2:00 pm Best Practices Conference Registration Check In Location: Eastside Ballroom Foyer

10:00-2:00 pm Visit with Vendors Be sure to visit our vendors to check out awesome products and services available to assist in your economic development success! Location: Eastside Ballroom Salon C

11:45-12:50 pm Best Practices Conference Opening Luncheon Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

12:45-1:00 pm Welcome/Opening Remarks from Best Practices Conference Co- Chairs, Kyle Adams and Steve Jahn Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

1:00-2:00 pm Regional Economic Development Leadership Council Moderator: Patrick Schloss, Vice President, First-Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise (FIRE) Presenters: Pat O’Brien, Executive Director, Milwaukee 7; Steve Jahn, Executive Director, Momentum West; Barb LaMue, Executive Director, New North, Inc.; Jerry Murphy, New North, Inc. Learn how Wisconsin’s regional economic development organizations work in conjunction with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to launch programs to attract, develop, and retain talent and business. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

2:00-2:30 pm Break (before departing to Fiserv Forum)

2:30 pm Travel to Fiserv Forum Join us for an afternoon of sessions and a networking reception at the Fiserv Forum - the NEW home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks! Location: Meet in Marriott lobby at 2:30 pm to board buses.

3:00-4:00 pm Industrial Real Estate Redevelopment Moderator: Jeff Hoffman, CCIM, SIOR, Principal Industrial Services, The Boerke Company Presenters: Nate Ellis, Senior Vice President of Real Estate, Rabin; Rob Gerbitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hendricks Commercial Properties; Gale Price, Economic Development Director, City of Janesville, WI You have a vacant factory or industrial real estate property – now what? Hear from experts in the public and private sector on what it takes to combine all the pieces together for a successful redevelopment project. Location: Fiserv Forum

4:00-4:15 pm Networking Break

4:15-5:15 pm Stadium Area Redevelopment This session will be a discussion on the benefits obtained from the developments to the economy, focusing on the surrounding area improvements in addition to the stadium facility itself. Moderator: David Kircher, Phoenix Financial Advisors Presenters/Panelists: • Tim Sheehy, President of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce will speak in general about neighborhood redevelopment as a result of the Buck’s ownership investment in the team, the Fiserv Forum, and its neighborhood, a catalyst for further development throughout the metro Milwaukee downtown area. • Alex Lasry, Senior Vice President, Milwaukee Bucks will discuss their reasons for the investment in Milwaukee and their vision for continuing development in the area. • Aaron Popkey, Green Bay Packers will update us on the continuing process of “Packerville” neighborhood area development, the benefit to the team and to the metro Green Bay area. • Jerry Murphy, New North, Inc. On a smaller scale, the Milwaukee Bucks have also invested in the City of Oshkosh area (Menominee Nation Arena), and its NBA G-League team (the Wisconsin Herd). Learn how this has become a stimulant for the Fox Valley corridor between the cities of Fond du Lac and Green Bay. • Mike Zimmerman, Roc Ventures/Ballpark Commons. In southern Milwaukee County, Mike has expanded areas surrounding and including a Milwaukee County Park. This includes commercial and residential real estate as well as a minor league ballpark for the new Milwaukee Milkmen and the Division I UW-Milwaukee baseball team. Location: Fiserv Forum

5:15-7:00 pm Networking Reception Join us for networking with your Mid-America region colleagues and today’s presenters!

7:00 pm Buses depart to Marriott Milwaukee Downtown

Thursday, July 18th

6:00-7:00 am Morning Run Join us for an optional morning run through Milwaukee! Location: Meet in Marriott lobby at 6:00 am.

7:00-4:00 pm Best Practices Conference Registration Check In Location: Eastside Ballroom Foyer

7:00-7:45 am Networking Breakfast Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

7:00-2:00 pm Visit with Vendors Be sure to visit our vendors to check out awesome products and services available to assist in your economic development success! Location: Eastside Ballroom Salon C

7:30-8:15 am Opportunity Zones: A Bottom Up Approach Presenter: Rebecca Mitich, Partner, Husch Blackwell Created as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Opportunity Zones program is designed to draw private capital into designated low income communities. This session will review the basics of the Opportunity Zone program with a focus on the role of the economic development community. The discussion will cover emerging trends at the state and local level, including the creation of community-centered Opportunity Zone Funds, the issuing of Opportunity Zone prospectuses by municipalities and state and local incentives for Opportunity Zone investments. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

8:15-8:30 am Networking Break/Visit with Vendors Location: Eastside Ballroom Salon C

8:30-9:15 am How To Solve Your Manufacturing Talent Issues & Maintain Global Competitiveness Presenters: Buckley Brinkman Executive Director/CEO, Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity; Kelly Armstrong, Vice President of Economic Development, Greater Green Bay Chamber This session will cover how to leverage your state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership by emulating Wisconsin’s transformational productivity initiative. Featuring case studies with resulting ROI. Learn how you as a local EDO can use this strategy to assist manufacturers in your region. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

9:15-9:30 am Networking Break/Visit with Vendors Location: Eastside Ballroom Salon C

9:30-10:30 am Tomorrow’s Talent Is Here Today: Seizing Opportunity In The Digital Age Presenter: Rebekah Kowalski, Vice President, ManpowerGroup North America Given the pace of change in skills driven by advancements in technology, the future is much more about what employees can do than the specific jobs they’ve done in the past. We can't slow the pace of change, yet we can invest in skills to build the workforce of tomorrow and ensure we have the talent to win in the digital age. Join Rebekah for a discussion on workforce trends and how we become builders of talent so individuals and employers alike to succeed today and tomorrow. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

10:30-10:45 am Networking Break/Visit with Vendors Location: Eastside Ballroom Salon C

10:45-11:45 am Technology Giant Foxconn Selects Wisconsin—How the Deal Came Together Moderator: Kathryn Berger, Business Development Manager, CG Schmidt, Inc. Presenters: Jela Trask, Key Business Liaison Business & Investment Attraction Director, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; Sam Rikkers, Strategic Economic Initiatives Director, Wisconsin Department of Administration; Laura Million, Business Development Manager, Racine County Economic Development Corporation Learn how Wisconsin won the Foxconn deal, the largest corporate attraction project in U.S. history. Insights from the team will reveal the state’s best practice model for supporting projects from attraction to workforce to supply chain to ensure positive impact to the economy. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

11:45-1:30 pm Luncheon/General Session: “Capital Stacking” – Alternate Options to Fund Your Project Presenters: Lynda Templen, Husch Blackwell; Michael Goedheer, BMO-Harris Bank; David Kircher, Phoenix Financial Advisors Panelists will conduct a discussion on alternate sources and application of resources to fund a project. Federal, state, and local resources will be thrown in the mix. Format/Timeline: • 11:45-12:30 – Lunch/Networking/Visit with Vendors • 12:30-1:30 – General Session Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

1:30-2:00 pm Networking Break/Visit with Vendors Location: Eastside Ballroom Salon C

2:00-3:15 pm Best Practices in Talent Strategies Presenters: Janet Ady, President and CEO, Ady Advantage; Ashley Scray, Director of Client Services, Ady Advantage Best Practices Communities: • Perry County, IN – Pick Perry Campaign: Erin Emerson • Hendricks County, IN – Logistics Sector Partnership: Lora Steele • Hutchinson County, MN – TigerPath: Miles Seppelt • Michigan City, IN – Promise Scholarship: Clarence Hulse Communities large and small, urban and rural are struggling to attract and retain the talent their businesses need to thrive and grow. And as current demographic trends continue, the problem is only going to get worse. But what can economic developers do about it? What talent strategies are communities currently using that are scalable, affordable, and – most of all – effective? Are there proven solutions to the talent challenge? Ady Advantage has collected information on over 200 unique talent strategies throughout the U.S. to help communities understand best practices, as well as tailor talent strategies to address their unique issues and challenges. In this presentation, Ady Advantage will discuss key national talent trends, as well as share best practices from Mid-America EDC communities who are working to addressed talent challenges in their regions and how they have been successful in doing so. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

3:15-3:45 pm Break before Milwaukee Presentation in Ballroom/departure for Walking Tours

3:45-5:00 pm Milwaukee Presentation and Walking Tours

A Rising Global City – Milwaukee’s Time to Shine Presenter: Beth Weirick, CEO, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 From Gen Z to Boomers, Downtown Milwaukee is the place to live, work and socialize. Where else can you access world-class cultural arts, best-in-league sport teams, award-wining restaurants, a 3.1-mile RiverWalk, 1,400 acres of beaches and greenspace adjacent to Lake Michigan, and major corporate headquarters all within one-walkable-square-mile? With more than $3.1 billion invested in private and public projects since 2010, downtown Milwaukee is poised to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention next summer. Learn what the world will soon realize from Milwaukee Downtown’s leader for over 20 years. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

Walking Tours Please register for the tour/reception option of your choice on your registration form. Please note that all tours will end at the Networking Event at Jazz in the Park at Cathedral Square - 520 East Wells Street. Please select the appropriate option on your registration.

Walking Tour #1 – The Hop Streetcar, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Streetcars do more than simply improve mobility and connections. Among the primary benefits of fixed-rail transit systems, such as The Hop, are the numerous potential economic development opportunities it provides and supports. Learn more about Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 efforts to support and promote development along and near the streetcar corridor in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

Walking Tour #2 – Activating Wisconsin’s Main Street Since 2014, 16 flagship properties along Wisconsin Avenue have announced plans for new construction, reinvestment, or repurposing. Coupled with a series of new activations, including Sculpture Milwaukee, utility box murals, Otocast, and Key to Change, Wisconsin Avenue has reestablished its identity as Milwaukee’s “main street.” The programs, launched in 2017, have received global recognition as best- practices from the International Downtown Association.

Walking Tour #3 – Urban RiverWalk Exploration Serving as a catalyst for transforming vacant warehouses, breweries and an abandoned industrial corridor into a thriving destination to live, work and socialize, the Milwaukee RiverWalk has helped define Milwaukee as the Fresh Water Capitol of the World. With a total investment of $52 million since the late-1980s, the RiverWalk has generated a $1 billion increase in property values. Recognized as one of the world’s best urban riverfronts, the Milwaukee RiverWalk received the 2017-2018 Global Awards for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute.

5:00-9:00 pm Networking Event at Jazz in the Park at Cathedral Square Jazz in the Park is Milwaukee’s favorite outdoor summer music series, featuring everything from Jazz and big band to R&B, Funk and Salsa! Dinner and beverages will be provided. Location: Cathedral Square – 520 East Wells Street (located in the white tent set up for our private event)

Friday, July 19th

7:00-9:00 am Best Practices Conference Registration Check In Location: Eastside Ballroom Foyer

7:00-7:45 am Networking Breakfast Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

7:00-10:00 am Visit with Vendors Be sure to visit our vendors to check out awesome products and services available to assist in your economic development success! Location: Eastside Ballroom Salon C

7:45-8:30 am Cluster Diamonds in the Midwest Moderator: Kathryn Berger, Business Development Manager, CG Schmidt, Inc. Presenters: Dean Amhaus, Executive Director, The Water Council; Norb Biderman, President & Founder of Growth Enterprises, LLC; Ed Morrison, Director, Purdue University Agile Strategy Lab Through a combination of great “DNA,” chance opportunities, hard work, and good decisions, industry cluster groups in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and St. Louis have made great strides in establishing robust regional ecosystems for their respective industries. In an armchair discussion with the top executives of these three leading industry cluster groups, learn about these organizations’ accomplishments, traits of successful cluster initiatives, investment returns for their states, and organizational structures through which each engages industry leaders, public entities and academia to cluster around their particular industry base. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

8:30-8:45 am Networking Break/Visit with Vendors Location: Eastside Ballroom Salon C

8:45-9:30 am Electrification of The Transportation System – Is Your Community On Board Moderator: John Drury, Business Development Manager, Madison Gas and Electric Presenters: Debbie Branson, New Market Manager for Energy Products and Services, Madison Gas and Electric; Mahanth Joishy, Fleet Superintendent, City of Madison Municipalities, utilities, employers and vehicle manufactures are investing in, and planning for the continued development and growth of the electric transportation system. Hear from industry experts as they share current trends, benefits, and best practices for going electric in your community. Location: Eastside Ballroom Salons AB

9:30-10:00 am Break (before departing to Harley-Davidson Museum)

10:00 am Travel to Harley-Davidson Museum Location: Meet in the Marriott lobby at 10:00 am to board buses Three transportation options are available, please indicate your desired option on your conference registration form. 1. Transportation from the Marriott to the Harley-Davidson Museum and then to the Airport (MKE) The bus will depart at 10:00 am for the Harley-Davidson Museum. While at the Museum your bags/suitcases may be left securely on the bus. The bus will start loading at 12:15 and leave promptly at 12:30 for the airport (Mitchell International Airport (MKE). The bus should arrive at the airport at 1:00 pm. Please plan your departing flights accordingly. 2. Transportation from the Marriott to the Harley-Davidson Museum and back to the Marriott The bus will depart at 10:00 am for the Harley-Davidson Museum. Return trips to the Marriott will depart the Museum at 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, and 2:00. 3. If you prefer to drive/uber/taxi, you may do so. Please be sure to indicate this option on your registration form. Parking is complimentary at the Museum. The Museum address is 400 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53201.

10:30-2:00 pm Harley-Davidson Museum Event & Tours Join us and tour the world-famous Harley-Davidson Museum! A private space for the Mid-America EDC group is reserved to allow for additional networking, as well. Light food and beverages will be provided. Please note: you must register by June 21st if you wish to participate in a guided tour. Registrations received after June 21st may still attend the event/reception and tour on their own.

12:30-2:00 pm Departures (see bus schedules above)

The 2019 Best Practices Conference is recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a professional development event that counts toward recertification of Certified Economic Developers (CEcD).

Best Practices Conference Hotel/Travel Information

Marriott Milwaukee Downtown 323 East Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53202 https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mkedn-milwaukee-marriott-downtown/

This year’s Best Practices Conference location and host hotel is the Marriott Milwaukee Downtown.

You may reserve your hotel room at the Marriott for the Best Practices Conference online now through June 17, 2019 at https://book.passkey.com/e/49771816. The discounted rate is $154 per night. Reservations at the discounted rate are available for the nights of July 16, July 17, and July 18.

For directions, airport transportation, and parking information for the Marriott Milwaukee Downtown, visit https://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/mkedn-milwaukee-marriott- downtown/. Please note that valet parking for hotel rooms reserved in the Mid-America EDC Best Practices Conference block receive a discounted overnight valet rate of $15 (billed to hotel room).

Additional Parking Options Valet parking at the Marriott for daily guests is $14.00. When you arrive for the day, please let the valet know that you are with the Mid-America EDC event and qualify for the discounted daily parking rate of $14.00. If you prefer self-parking options, please visit http://www.parkmilwaukee.com/destinations/121-milwaukee-marriott- downtown#main_content.

2019 Best Practices Conference Registration

Register online through July 5th via check OR credit card at

https://maedc5.wildapricot.org/event-3170134

Registration Options:

• MID-AMERICA EDC Member Conference Registration - $350

• Non-Member Conference Registration - $450

• MID-AMERICA EDC New WISCONSIN Member Package - $500 New WISCONSIN Members Only! ($750 Value: Membership Valued at $300 plus non-member Conference Registration $450) Join MID-AMERICA EDC now AND register for the Best Practices Conference for only $50 more than the non-member conference registration! Because Wisconsin is the host state for the 2019 Annual Best Practices Conference, new MID-AMERICA EDC members from Wisconsin receive this special membership discount for the remainder of 2019! For full details about membership benefits visit http://www.midamericaedc.org/media/userfiles/subsite_185/files/memberbrochure-both.pdf.

Policies:

Deadline for online registration is July 5, 2019. You may register onsite only after this date. (Conference registration/check in opens on Wednesday morning, July 17th at 10:00 am in the Eastside Ballroom Foyer at the Marriott Milwaukee Downtown.)

If you are an established Mid-America EDC Annual Sponsor or Best Practices Sponsor receiving a complimentary registration as a sponsorship benefit, you may register online. Your main sponsorship contact will be sent an email with a Registration Code. Once you have the code you can register online by selecting the “SPONSOR” registration option. After you have selected your desired “SPONSOR” registration option, you will then be asked for the registration code. Once you enter the code you, will then enter your registration information and click next. You will then be asked to review and confirm your information, if everything is correct select “Confirm” and your registration will be submitted without any payment due.

With written cancellation notice, received by July 5th, you will receive a full refund, less a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations after July 5th are nonrefundable. Notices of cancellation must be emailed to the Mid-America EDC office at [email protected]. Sorry, no-shows are not eligible for refunds and are responsible for the full amount due.