This dynamic, half-day event explores workforce development efforts at the local, regional and state levels. Attendees share best practices and concerns during facilitated conversations. Whether you are a small, medium or large business owner, a company executive, human resource professional, K-12 administrator, educator or school counselor, post-secondary educator, technical education or community leader — you will benefit from attending this educational and wide-ranging event.
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM 2025: Pine Hills Country Club
Featured Speakers for Workforce Development Symposium 2025:
WEDC Update by Mike Ward Senior Vice President - Business and Community Development at WEDC
Mike Ward joined WEDC in September 2022 as vice president for business and community development. To his work at WEDC, he brings more than 25 years of experience in banking with U.S. Bank and its predecessors. Mike has held leadership positions in sales management, commercial lending, marketing, sales support and underwriting—all focused on small business. Helping and learning about small businesses and the communities they support has been Mike’s passion for his entire career. Mike has done volunteer work with a number of groups including various United Ways, the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, the Waukesha Redevelopment Authority and the Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation. He is a current board member of BizStarts and the Urban Economic Development Association as well as an active volunteer with Kiva. He also serves as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Wisconsin Economic Roundtable. A Madison native, Mike received his bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota. He lives with his wife in Waukesha and has three adult children.
Panel Discussion: on Cell Phone Restrictions in Schools featuring Mike Trimberger, Random Lake Superintendent and more.
Mike Trimberger - Superintendent at Random Lake
As a member of the School District of Random Lake Team, we are now focused on three core principles: STRONG CLASSROOMS, STRONG SCHOOL CULTURE and STRONG CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY. We are generating Strong Classrooms by creating PLCs to produce a Guaranteed Viable Curriculum that addresses the academic needs of all our students. We are cultivation a positive school culture by implementing PBIS through “The Ram Way” and teaching students positive behaviors. Strong Community Connections are helping excite students about learning by engaging our community in ways to get students of all ages exciting about career and college readiness. Our focus on community service and Career Pathways will ultimately help every student leave the School District of Random Lake with a Distinct Advantage. Public schools need strong leadership. I feel that public education is at a pivotal time in history. I am proud to be part of the solution for a stronger public educational system. #RLAdvantage
More speakers to be announced soon...please check back for more details...
2025 Golden Apple Workforce Development Award Nominations are Open
Awards will be presented at the Workforce Development Symposium
Please nominate a deserving individual for the Golden Apple Workforce Development Awards 2025 by completing the following form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXMFYGR
Award Categories:
Workforce Development Educator of the Year - Sheboygan County
Workforce Development Business Education Partner of the Year - Sheboygan County
Nominations are due by July 18, 2025 at the latest.
Event Sponsors
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Platinum Sponsors
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Award Sponsor
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Silver Sponsor
Date and Time
7:30 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Agenda:
7:30am- Registration & Breakfast
8:00am- Presentations
10:45am- Golden Apple Awards
11:00am- Event End
Fees/Admission
Tickets (Includes Breakfast Buffet)
$50 - Members
$60 - Non-Members
*No cancelations or refunds after August 13, no exceptions*
Sponsorships
$3,500 - Platinum WDS Sponsor
$2,000 - Gold WDS Sponsor
$1,500 - WDS Award Sponsor
$1,250 - Silver WDS Sponsor
$1,000 - Lanyard WDS Sponsor
Business Education Partnership Educator Sponsorships
Sponsorships have been created to help our education partners attend. To help support this initiative and sponsor a group of educators for the Workforce Development Symposium send us an email.
$500 - Educators Friend Sponsor
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