2025 Monroe County Economic Development & Tourism Spring Conference Announces Keynote and Early Bird Deadline
April 10-11, 2025 | Three Bears Resort, Warrens, WI
*Call the resort directly at 608-378-2500 and ask for the Conference rate (deadline March 10, 2025).
Monroe County, WI – The 2025 Economic Development & Tourism Spring Conference is set to take place April 10-11, 2025, at Three Bears Resort in Warrens, WI. This premier event will bring together industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovators to explore key topics such as economic development, leadership, small business growth, rural healthcare, workforce challenges, hospitality, and tourism.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes will deliver a keynote address, offering valuable insights into Wisconsin’s economic landscape. As the head of the state’s leading economic development organization, Hughes has played a pivotal role in fostering business growth and community development. Before joining WEDC in 2019, she served as General Counsel and Chief Mission Officer at Organic Valley and has held leadership roles with the Environmental Working Group and the Organic Trade Association. Hughes holds a B.A. in Political Science from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Wyoming College of Law.
In addition to Hughes, a lineup of esteemed professionals will share their expertise, strategies, and success stories, including:
Featured speakers and moderators include Derek Daly, CEO of Tomah Health; Andrew Nussbaum, Tourism Development Specialist at Travel Wisconsin; Marie Barry, Director of Community Economic Development at Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative; and Jed Olson, Executive Director of ORA Trails. Also joining the lineup are Kara L. Schuster, Southwest Regional Director at WWBIC; Mallory Pierce, Regional Office Coordinator at WWBIC; Diane M. Monahan, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics at Viterbo University; and Amy Gabay & Brent Hanifl, Co-Owners of River Travel Media.
Sessions:
Business & Community, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Speaker: Missy Hughes
Organization: The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
From Idea to Impact: WWBIC’s Role in Small Business Development
Speakers: Kara Schuster & Mallory Pierce
Organization: WWBIC – Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation
We Don’t Need Trails: the Social Capital of Outdoor Recreation
Speaker: Jed Olson
Organization: The Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA Trails)
The Power of Wisconsin Tourism – Are You Connected with this $25 Billion Industry?
Speaker: Andrew Nussbaum
Organization: Travel Wisconsin
Workforce Culture & Political Climate
Speaker: Diane Monahan, Dean, College of Business, Leadership & Ethics
Organization: Viterbo University
Countywide Tourism Collaboration
Speakers: Tina Thompson, Brent Hanifl, Amy Gabay, and TBD
Organization: Tomah Chamber & Visitors Center, River Travel Media, and Monroe County
Additional speakers, sessions, and presenters will be announced soon.
Ticket Information
2-Day Ticket: $125 ($100 Early Bird – Ends March 1, 2025)
Military/Veteran Ticket: $90 ($80 Early Bird – Ends March 1, 2025)
Student Ticket: $50
Attendees can register for the event and view conference details online at https://exploremonroecounty.org/conference.
Stay Connected
For updates, follow us on Facebook and join the event page for the latest announcements.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
A special thank you to the event sponsors: Tomah Chamber & Visitors Center, Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls, Cardinal IG Tomah, Workforce Connections, Inc., Tomah Health, Oakdale Electric Cooperative, Advantage Realty Wisconsin, Lynxx Networks, TDS Telecommunications LLC, River Travel Media, WWBIC, Xcel Energy, Mayo Clinic Health System, Maple Valley Cooperative, Monroe County and Explore Monroe County.
Media Inquiries
Adrian Lockington | Executive Assistant
Monroe County Administration Department
📧 [email protected]
📞 608.269.8006
📍 Executive Center Building | 124 N Court St, Sparta, WI 54656
🌐 www.co.monroe.wi.us