2025 Monroe County Economic Development & Tourism Spring Conference
April 10-11, 2025
Showcasing startup stories, presentations, conversations, and keynotes on Entrepreneurship, Workforce Culture, Child Care, Economic Development, Housing, Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and more.
Monroe County Economic Development & Tourism Spring Conference
April 10-11, 2025 | Three Bears Resort | Warrens, WI
Monroe County is excited to bring together thought leaders in Economic Development and Tourism for its annual conference at Three Bears Resort in Warrens, WI.
Scheduled for April 10-11, 2025, the event will feature inspiring startup stories from local businesses, presentations, and keynote addresses from leaders in Economic Development, Hospitality, and Tourism.
Attendees can look forward to engaging sessions on a variety of topics, including startup spotlights, workforce trends, and economic development. The conference will offer insightful presentations and opportunities for networking with industry experts. Participants will have the chance to exchange ideas, build valuable connections, and learn from success stories to drive economic growth and tourism in Monroe County.
Tickets
- 2 Day Ticket – $125
- Military/Veteran – $90
- Student Ticket – $50
Note: High school students under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. Chaperones with five or more students can attend for free.
Presenters:

Missy Hughes
Secretary and CEO | Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
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:

Diane M. Monahan, Ph.D.
Dean of the College of Business | Viterbo University

Jed Olson
Executive Director | ORA Trails

Derek Daly
Chief Executive Officer | Tomah Health

Marie Barry
Director of Community Economic Development | Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative

Andrew Nussbaum
Tourism Development Specialist | Travel Wisconsin

Janine Smith
Founder | Sparrow Consulting, LLC

Mallory Pierce
Regional Office Coordinator | WWBIC

Brent Hanifl
Owner | River Travel Media

Amy Gabay
Owner | River Travel Media

Teresa Pierce
Executive Director | Workforce Connections, Inc.

Sawyer Meisel
Regional Economist | Department of Workforce Development
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Terms/Conference Waiver
Monroe County Economic Development and Tourism Conference Waiver
All persons attending the Monroe County Economic Development and Tourism Conference assume all risk incident to the event. You hereby release all event participants, Monroe County and their officers, directors, members, employees, representatives, and affiliates from all claims arising from the event, including claims of negligence of released parties.
Monroe County and its affiliates assume no liability and you hereby release Monroe County, sponsors and their respective affiliates and all event participants for loss or damage (including without limitation property damage, injury, illness, and death) by fire, theft, weather, communicable disease or otherwise to guests, personal property and vehicles while at the event.
Patrons grant Monroe County and designees the right to use their image and or likeness in any live or recorded video display or other transmission of reproduction of the event, including without limitation rights of publicity.
Getting Here
Close to Metro Areas
La Crosse, WI – 36 miles
Madison, WI – 116 miles
Milwaukee, WI – 184 miles
Green Bay, WI – 175 miles
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – 173 miles
Rochester, MN – 99 miles
Chicago, IL – 255 miles
Des Moines, IA – 299 miles