Havenwood Event Center

Monday–Tuesday, March 30–31, 2026

Showcasing business spotlights, presentations, conversations, and keynotes on AI ethics, entrepreneurship, workforce culture, housing, economic and community development, tourism, outdoor recreation, and more, the event will bring together thought leaders and innovators from across the region.

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Monroe County Economic Development & Tourism Spring Conference

March 30-31, 2026 | Havenwood Event Center | Sparta, WI

Conference Agenda

Monday, March 30, 2026

MC: Cedric Schnitzler

Day One - Monday, March 30, 2026

9:15: Welcome and Opening Remarks: Shobi Zietlow, Owner of Referral Staffing Solutions

9:30: State Representative Jill Billings - Assembly District 95

10:00: Break

10:15: Sylvia Burgos Toftness - President, Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, and Sheila Everhart, Executive Director, Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association

11:00: Panel Exploring the Intersection of Economic and Community Development - Chris Hardie, moderator

Errin Welty, CEcD, EDFP Senior Downtown Development Director, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Steven C. Deller, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a Community Economic Development Specialist within the UW-Madison Division of Extension

11:45: Luncheon brought to you by the Referral Staffing Solutions

12:15: Keynote Speaker: Cassie Mordini, Director, Office of Outdoor Recreation

1:15: Break

1:30: Business Spotlight: TBD

2:00: Business Spotlight: Melissa Revels, St. Mary’s Distillery

Topic: From Farm to Glass: Building a Local Distillery Destination

2:30: Rebecca Giroux, Community and Economic Development Officer - Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

Topic: Affordable Housing in Wisconsin and Monroe County

3:15: Adjourn

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

7:45: Welcome and Opening Remarks: State Representative Nancy VanderMeer

8:00: Speaker: Kahya Fox, Executive Director - Habitat for Humanity

Topic: Building Affordably at Scale: Lessons from Hillsboro’s Factory-Built Housing Project

8:30: Business Spotlight: TBD

9:00: Speaker: Claire Bakalars, Interim Director, Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Board

Topic: Workforce Development Boards: The Best-Kept Secret in Economic Development

9:30: Break

9:45: Speaker: James Hanke, Vice-President - Wisconsin, Community and Economic Development Associates

Topic: Positioning Rural Communities to Grow and Thrive Through Staff Capacity

10:15: Speaker: Sawyer Meisel, Regional Economist - Office of Economic Advisors (Wisconomy)

Topic: WisConomy in Action: Tools, Trends, and Monroe County Insights

10:45: Speaker: Stewart Eskew, Ethics of A.I. Political Philosophy

11:15: Business Spotlight: Greg Zingler, Zingler Sign

Topic: What College Never Taught Me About Running a Small Business

11:45: Speaker: State Senator Brad Pfaff

Topic: Legislative Updates

12:00: Luncheon Brought to you by the Tomah Chamber and Visitor Center

12:30: Communities Keynote

1:30: Adjourn

The Monroe County Economic Development & Tourism Spring Conference is back March 30–31, 2026, at the beautiful Havenwood Event Center in Sparta, WI!

This two-day event will highlight businesses, keynote presentations, and in-depth sessions exploring the issues shaping communities across the region, including A.I. ethics, entrepreneurship, workforce culture, housing, economic & community development, tourism, and outdoor recreation.

While centered on Monroe County, the conference offers valuable insights and connections for leaders, businesses, and organizations across neighboring counties and cities looking to collaborate and share regional solutions.

It’s your chance to connect with regional leaders, innovators, and change makers while gaining fresh insights into what’s driving growth across Monroe County and beyond.

Follow the Monroe County Facebook page for updates and details on sponsorship opportunities.

Tickets

2-Day Ticket: $100 (Early Bird Ends March 2, 2026)
Military/Veteran Ticket: $80 (Early Bird Ends March 2, 2026)
Student: $50 – 1st Community Credit Union is proud to offer 100% off for the first 50 student registrations. Use promo code ISTCCU at checkout.

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