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.
Agenda
Thursday, April 10th
8:00 Registration
9:15 Welcome
9:30 to 11:45 Sessions
11:45 Lunch
12:30 to 4:15 Sessions
4:30 Cocktail Reception
5:00 Dinner with Entertainment to follow
Friday, April 11th
7:00 Breakfast
8:00 to Noon Sessions
Additional speakers, sessions, times, and presenters will be announced soon. Subject to change.
Tickets
- 2 Day Ticket – $125 ($100 Early Bird)
- Military/Veteran – $90 ($80 Early Bird)
- 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.
Exclusive Room Rates Now Available
Call the resort directly at 608-378-2500 ask for the Monroe County Economic Development & Tourism Spring Conference rate (deadline March 10, 2025)
Major Sponsors
Presenters: More Coming Soon!
Sessions:
Additional speakers, sessions, times, and presenters will be announced soon. Subject to change.
Business & Community, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Speaker: Missy Hughes
Organization: The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
Workforce Culture & Political Climate
Speaker: Diane Monahan, Dean, College of Business, Leadership & Ethics
Organization: Viterbo University
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
Future-Proofing the Workforce: Retention, Reskilling, and Economic Resilience
Speaker: Teresa Pierce
Organization: Workforce Connections
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.
Missy Hughes
Secretary and CEO | Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
Jed Olson
Executive Director | ORA Trails
Derek Daly
Chief Executive Officer | Tomah Health
Kara L. Schuster
Southwest Regional Director | WWBIC
Mallory Pierce
Regional Office Coordinator | WWBIC
Diane M. Monahan, Ph.D.
Dean of the College of Business | Viterbo University
Marie Barry
Director of Community Economic Development | Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Amy Gabay
Owner | River Travel Media
Brent Hanifl
Owner | River Travel Media
Andrew Nussbaum
Tourism Development Specialist | Travel Wisconsin
Sawyer Meisel
Regional Economist | Department of Workforce Development
Teresa Pierce
Executive Director | Workforce Connections, Inc.
Janine Smith
Founder | Sparrow Consulting, LLC
The agenda will be available soon! For ongoing updates, make sure to follow us on Facebook and stay tuned for the latest info.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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
Get in touch
