Tips, advice and conversations on what matters to businesses in and around Menomonie and Dunn County.
New Episodes Drop the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
Episode #19 Click Here to Listen
Karen Hatfield – Get it Dunn Run
Coming up on June 10th, the Get it Dunn Run returns for its 10th year and Karen Hatfield joins Tammy to discuss the event. This is a 5k, half marathon and new this year a kid’s run, that takes place in Menomonie.
Profits go towards the Mind over Matter Organization.
Hear about why this event keeps growing and why its for everyone whether you are a runner, jogger, walker or a spectator.
Episode #18 Click Here to Listen
Mike is with Wisconsin Business Development and he sits with Ashley to discuss exactly it is that they do. We routinely hear news reports and updates and the such from organizations like this. Mike dives deeper into their focus and how important they are for helping small businesses grow in our area.
The WBD partners with banks and with business borrowers to facilitate growth and projects.
Episode #17 Click Here to Listen
Tammy is joined by Brad Waznik, a 33-year member of the Lion’s Club. We learn about the local Lion’s Club and their efforts in the area. The Menomonie chapter is one of the largest in the state and is very active in the community, most notably with their work towards the eye sight research.
- The Lion’s Club’s Game Park
- Hosting hundreds at a state bowling tournament in recent months
- Diabetes awareness work
- Various holiday celebrations throughout the year from Easter through Christmas
- Local Scholarships
- How can you become a Lion
Episode #16 Click Here to Listen
Ashley welcomes Padraig Gallagher on the program to learn more about the Stepping Stones organization that has been helping countless people in the Menomonie area for decades. Stepping Stones has three main facets including operating shelters, food assistances and a program to assist individuals to continue to live independently.
What is on the horizon for Stepping Stones, including progress on a new shelter.
The need for more volunteers, especially with the food pantry program
The process for getting food to the pantries and what is the pantry the most in need of
The homelessness along with the overall housing deficiency
Episode #15 Click Here to Listen
Ashley and Tammy chat with Lucas, the executive director of the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. There is so much going on this spring and summer and out in the future. The theatre is a cornerstone of the area for locals and tourists alike. Some 25,000 visitors over 250 events annually take advantage of this gem in the area.
Lucas details a few of the nuances you likely don’t notice whenever you visit, including certain types of lumber and the history of the lighting inside of the place.
He details some of his favorite shows and previews what he has planned coming.
Episode #14 Click Here to Listen
Jill Rassbach Pember – Rassbach Realty
Grady Richartz – UW-Stout
Jill and Grady were two of the people who helped start the Young Professionals group in Menomonie years ago and they join Ashley to talk all about the program. They tell us the goal of the program and how that has evolved since.
At its core, its about personal and business development through networking opportunities and chances to hear speakers with a specific expertise.
Why is YP important and why leaders should encourage their employees to join.
Episode #13 Click Here to Listen
Covering tourism in general and what the chamber does in terms of that. Things don’t just happen; the process has to start somewhere and we learn all about it.
How is it funded? Yes, where does the money come from! What are the goals? What is the actual mission statement?
Partnering locally, regionally, and nationally.
Spending advertising dollars and tracking those funds.
Episode #12 Click Here to Listen
Jim is a former president of the chamber who takes us on trip down memory lane. Memories, highlights, growth and changes over the years.
Jim is a master storyteller, so lean back and enjoy the tales he recounts. Including controversies over certain businesses that came to town (and remain to this day) and the time Barbara Bush visited to celebrate a grand opening of a new structure.
Episode #11 Click Here to Listen
Phil is the new President of Downtown Menomonie INC and updates us on what is happening with the organization. What is the group focusing on and how are businesses responding to all the momentum?
What is the role with the organization in the community and why does it matter to everyone, not just the downtown district.
Also, what exactly is “downtown” in Menomonie?
And Phil’s vision for a focal piece for downtown.
Episode #10 Click Here to Listen
The past and new presidents of the Menomonie Chamber of Commerce discuss the happenings of the organization and the evolution of its purpose.
Episode #9 Click Here to Listen
Tammy talks with Mitchell Stai, the new recreation manager, about the current and planned offerings from the Menomonie Parks and Recreation Program.
Mitchell tells us about his background and how he ventured into the youth sports business. How that experience influences his current role he has been in for a year.
The tie-in between the recreational opportunities and the tourism industry. What Mitchell has seen already that is drawing people to the community at different times of the year. Pickleball, fishing, disc golf, ice skating and so much more…
Episode #8 Click Here to Listen
Tammy and Melissa guide us through this episode and they are previewing the 2023 calendar of events. What is there to look forward to in the Menomonie area.
From networking events to fun for citizens locally and visitors alike.
They also discuss Menomonie’s involvement in the “Chippewa Valley Rally”, a partnership with multiple local promotional agencies that lobbies in Madison for various projects and issues.
Episode #7 Click Here to Listen
Tammy is with John Freeman with the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and they are talking all things with the creamery including their recently opened retail location in Menomonie.
What, if any differences are there between the location in Menomonie and the original 1910 location in Ellsworth?
What is produced (and not produced) at each location?
How many people are employed?
Why the Menomonie location was destined to be a destination for locals and visitors alike.
What cheeses are produced in Menomonie?
Episode #6 Click Here to Listen
Tammy Simon, the chamber’s tourism director and the mayor Randy Knaack join Ashley DeMuth on this latest episode. December and the holiday season is here, so what’s happening in the area.
It’s been a big year for events in the area and the calendar year is ending strong. The mayor reports local hotel occupancy rates that have been amazing. In the coming weeks, the area has Parade of Lights, Winter Days Parade, events at Wolske Bay Park, fun downtown and all over.
Outdoor ice skating and snow shoeing. Hot Chocolate and Live Music. So much to do
Episode #5 Click Here to Listen
Its a full room on this podcast as Ashley DeMuth is joined by guests to discuss the Home Sweet Menomonie Program
Lowell Prange – City Administrator
John Kroening – Synergy Retirement Planning Strategies
Randy Knaack – Mayor
They discuss workforce development, talent attraction and tackle some of the issues as well as the myths.
What is being done locally? It’s the “Home Sweet Menomonie” program.
Episode #4 Click Here to Listen
Melissa Kneeland from the Dunn County Historical Society jumps on this episode to discuss tourism and some of the events and activities going on. She discusses updates and hands-on interactive exhibits that draw the attention of the young and old at the Rassbach Museum.
Melissa tells us about a plan to create a “solar victory garden” that will help power the museum. Its all part of a sustainability initiative.
We also learn about the sculptures that have popped up around Menomonie.
And what’s this about the “parade of lights”?
Episode #3 Click Here to Listen
UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank is the guest on this episode, discussing what is happening on campus and its partnership with the community. She discusses personally being welcomed to the community when she first arrived and how those introductions have carried over.
They also breakdown what the “investiture” actually is. We bet its something you know all about, but you know it by a different name.
Episode #2 Click Here to Listen
On this episode Scott and Ashley and talking with Tammy, the tourism manager about all things…touristy! The focus on this episode is on the “visitor” aspect of what the organization does
Tammy has been with the organization for a year and we learn what she does and plans for the future.
What are her responsibilities and the goals for a person in a role such as hers.
What visitor draws exist?
Funding opportunities that exist for organizations
Getting ideas from other communities
Episode #1 Click Here to Listen
The podcast that provides a window in the Menomonie business community and what goes on with the chamber and visitor’s center.
On this episode Scott and Ashley, welcome the community into this new podcast series that will provide a window in the Menomonie business community and what goes on with the chamber and visitor’s center. Melissa (Program Manager) and Tammy (Tourism Manager) give added insight.
- What is the role of the chamber and what do they do?
- Melissa, the program manager, tells us about her role and what she does
- What is “Leadership Menomonie”
- Tammy tells us how the leadership program opened her eyes to the area.
- Fall, winter events to look ahead to on the tourism front.
- All the various opportunities coming up for members
Check out our other Menomonie Based Podcasts
