Month: September 2017
Photo by Richard Hurd
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Selects Ideas That Evoke® and Hardin Design & Development to Build New Website and Digital Presence
Ideas That Evoke® – a Madison-based social media, influencer and PR agency serving clients in the beauty, lifestyle and luxury industries – was recently awarded a website rebrand project by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Hardin. Since its foundation, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of local businesses working to strengthen the Madison economy while preserving and improving the community’s quality of life.
As one of the fastest-growing independent creative agencies in the country, Ideas That Evoke will be responsible for rebranding the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s digital presence to best represent the organization’s direction for the coming years. Evoke, which was recently named to the Inc. 5000 roster of fastest-growing private companies in the United States and recognized as the No. 8 Top Company in the State of Wisconsin, is well-equipped to position and generate awareness for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce through content development, innovative design and digital strategy.
“As a member of the Chamber and a Madison-based agency, we share and support many of the same ideals as the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce,” said Kelly Ehlers, Founder and President of Ideas That Evoke. “At Evoke, we work to pioneer the digital strategies of a multitude of industry-leading brands around the world, but our agency is deeply committed to our local roots. We are thrilled to partner with the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce to continue growing the local business sector and foster entrepreneurial success in Madison.”
Supporting a network of nearly 1,300 members from a diverse set of organizations, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce champions the cultivation of world-class ideas and promotes the progressive future of Madison-area businesses. Evoke will offer its creative storytelling and design expertise to transform the Chamber’s digital presence, support the organization’s economic development efforts, and emphasize its role as the voice of the vibrant Greater Madison business community. The new digital platform will highlight Madison’s position as an entrepreneurial epicenter, and further detail the Chamber’s mission to make the local region a global hub for future innovators.
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the latest win for Ideas That Evoke, and joins a roster of clients across several industries, including: AC Hotel by Marriott, Procter and Gamble, Coty Beauty, Andis Company, Tide Dry Cleaners and Olivia Garden.
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About Ideas That Evoke®
Ideas That Evoke, a social media, digital and PR agency located in Madison, WI, was recently named the #325th Fastest Growing Private Company in America by Inc. Magazine’s annual Inc. 5000 List. The agency, founded by Kelly Ehlers in 2009, is rooted in solving business challenges through the innovative use of social media, influencer marketing and disruptive creative. To learn more about Ideas That Evoke®, visit http://www.IdeasThatEvoke.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Savant Certified for Fiduciary Excellence for 10 Straight Years
Savant Capital Management, one of the nation’s largest independent registered investment advisory firms, announced today that CEFEX, the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC, has renewed the firm’s certification to the standard described in the handbook “Prudent Practices for Investment Advisors.” This is the tenth year of certification for Savant, and it was among the first Investment Advisors to successfully complete the independent certification process.
The CEFEX standard describes how an Investment Advisor assumes the responsibility for managing a client’s overall investment management process, which includes the selection, monitoring, and de-selection of investment managers, as well as developing processes to implement investment strategies and fiduciary practices on an ongoing basis.
“Savant has demonstrated its commitment to fiduciary excellence for a decade,” said Carlos Panksep, managing director of the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence. “The firm has voluntarily undertaken third party audits to a rigorous best practice standard.”
Savant is certified for investment advisory services, including the role of 3(38) investment manager and non-discretionary 3(21) investment advisor for Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plans, 403(b)/church exempt, personal trusts, and high net worth individuals. Savant is registered at cefex.org/advisor, where the firm’s certificate can also be viewed.
The standard is substantiated by legislation, case law, and regulatory opinion letters from the ERISA, the Investment Advisor’s Act of 1940, Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA), Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA), and the Uniform Management of Public Employee Retirement Systems Act (MPERS) in the U.S.
A full copy of the standard can be downloaded from CEFEX and a summary can be viewed by clicking on Savant’s on-line CEFEX certificate.
Savant employs more than 145 team members. Headquartered in Rockford, IL, Savant also has offices in Chicago, Freeport, Geneva, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Peoria, Sterling, and Wilmette, IL; McLean, VA; and Madison and Park Falls, WI. For more information about Savant, visit savantcapital.com.
About CEFEX®
CEFEX®, Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC is an independent certification organization. CEFEX works closely with industry experts to provide comprehensive assessment programs to improve the fiduciary practices of investment stewards, advisors, recordkeepers, administrators and managers. CEFEX has offices in Pittsburgh, PA and Toronto, Canada.
About Savant Capital Management
Savant Capital Management is a leading independent, nationally-recognized, fee-only firm, serving clients for 30 years with $5 billion in assets under management. As a trusted advisor, Savant Capital Management offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plan and family office services to financially established individuals and institutions. Savant also offers corporate accounting, tax preparation, payroll and consulting through its affiliate, Savant Tax & Consulting.
Savant is regularly recognized among the top wealth managers in the United States. Savant was the recipient of the 2015 Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™, part of Schwab’s IMPACT Awards® program to recognize excellence in the business of independent financial advice. Savant has consistently received other industry recognitions including recently being included on the Forbes top 200 financial advisors list, the Barron’s top 20 independent advisory firms list, being named the #9 rated RIA firm by Financial Planning magazine, and included in additional top advisors lists by Financial Advisor magazine and InvestmentNews.
Savant Capital Management is a Registered Investment Advisor. Savant’s marketing material should not be construed by any existing or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if they engage Savant’s services and may include lists or rankings published by magazines and other sources which are generally based exclusively on information prepared and submitted by the recognized advisor. Click here for more information about Savant or to view our Important Disclosures.
Savant Capital Management and its employees are independent of and are not employees or agents of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab does not prepare, verify or endorse information distributed by Savant Capital Management. The Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™ is not an endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral to Savant Capital Management with respect to its investment advisory and other services.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin Welcomes Summit Credit Union as Presenting Sponsor
Madison, WI – Summit Credit Union will be the Presenting Sponsor for the inaugural observance of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin (WEDWisconsin) on Tuesday, November 14, 2017. Women leaders in tech, business, science, non-profit, and education will come together to celebrate, empower and support each other at this full day conference to be held at Monona Terrace. The event is part of a weeklong celebration culminating in the global recognition of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on November 19th.
“Summit is proud to sponsor the first ever Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin and to be a part of a global celebration of the powerful impact women make when we lead in business.” said Kim Sponem, CEO/President Summit Credit Union. “We know that investing in women entrepreneurs is a win-win for our community and a powerful engine for growth, innovation, and social change both locally and globally. We embrace this opportunity to convene and empower women entrepreneurs from across Wisconsin and to support them in building viable, sustainable enterprises.”
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) ignites women leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to initiate startups, drive economic expansion, and advance communities worldwide. The flagship United Nations event is celebrated in 144 countries and by 110 universities/colleges internationally. This is the first time the event will be hosted in Wisconsin.
Women in the U.S. are now starting businesses at twice the rate of men. Between 2007 and 2016, the number of women-owned firms increased by 45%, compared to just a 9% increase among all businesses according to American Express Open’s research. Over the past nine years, the number of women-owned firms has grown at a rate five times faster than the national average.
“WEDWisconsin is privileged to be working with Summit Credit Union to bring this preeminent event to women business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders in this region,” explained Laura Gallagher, Chairman of the Board for WEDWisconsin. “They are wisely investing in the future of Wisconsin by investing in the economic hope and future for women business owners and leaders. Summit Credit Union’s commitment to financial literacy, to financial inclusion and to community and economic development make them an ideal partner. We are thrilled to have them on board and leading the way!”
At the WEDWisconsin conference, attendees will:
- Learn from entrepreneurial greats about the triumphs and trials of being a business owner.
- Enjoy high-value content and unique social experiences, with a focus on authentic relationship building.
- Participate in a live “think tank” where entrepreneurs are pulled from the crowd to share a challenge they are facing that is then turned over to the tables to solve.
- Hear real stories about funding.
- Connect with other business owners and those who support them.
- Grow as a leader.
- Be inspired.
- Be a part of making history here in Wisconsin
The WEDWisconsin Advisory board includes women in various fields with diverse backgrounds and experiences. From technology to the sciences, education to social good initiatives and start-ups to businesses that are expanding, the board is made up of leaders who are familiar with entrepreneurship eco-systems, education and policy creation that will help women in business to thrive.
For more information please visit WEDWisconsin.
About Summit Credit Union
Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone in Wisconsin. Summit holds $2.8 billion in assets and has more than 168,000 members and 510 employees across 33 locations throughout south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560.
About Laura Gallagher, Ambassador and Chairman of the Board for WEDWisconsin
Laura Gallagher is a community, local and national business leader serving successful entrepreneurial companies and nonprofit organizations primarily in Wisconsin. In 2016, she was recognized by the Governor as a Trailblazer in Wisconsin. She is the founder and CEO of The Creative Company and is a 2017 Alumni of Babson College’s 10,000 Businesses Program with a Certificate of Entrepreneurship and a 2016 graduate of Harvard Professor Michael Porter’s Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. The Creative Company is certified by the State of Wisconsin as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise.
About Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) is the world’s largest entrepreneurial and financial empowerment initiative dedicated to celebrating, supporting and empowering women worldwide. WED encourages four billion women worldwide to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, with the goal of bringing hope and alleviating poverty.
Photo by Richard Hurd
S.C. Swiderski Announces Urban West in Wausau
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE 9/5/17
Media Contact: Jacqui Miller. Real Estate and Marketing Manager, jmiller@scswiderski.com, 715-693-7823
S.C. Swiderski Announces Urban West in Wausau
Mosinee, WI – S.C. Swiderski, LLC, a construction and real estate investment company, has announced a new project in Wausau, WI. Urban West is a 22 million dollar luxury multifamily development on N. 12th Avenue and Merrill Avenue on the west side of Wausau. The company expects to break ground in early September 2017. The first phase of the project includes a three story apartment building with secured, underground parking.
Urban West will house 132 luxury apartment homes offering a variety of studio, efficiency, one and two bedroom floorplans. The apartments will range from 654 to 1334 square feet with 9 foot ceilings, private laundry, covered balconies and upgraded finishes such as granite counters and stainless steel appliances. The building will have a large community room with a full kitchen, fireplace and spacious entertaining area as well as a fully equipped fitness room. Other building features include secured entrances, elevators, storage lockers and indoor and outdoor lounge areas. The exterior will have aluminum panels, brick and oversized windows bringing a sophisticated, urban look to the neighborhood. To embrace the area’s vibrant art community, Urban West will display works by local artists in the common areas and model home.
S.C. Swiderski is the architect, builder and owner of Urban West. S.C. Swiderski Construction will manage the project with their excavation department handling the excavation and site utility installation for the project.
The Property Management Division of S.C. Swiderski will provide professional leasing, maintenance and grounds keeping for this site. Leasing Department Manager Kari Kussow said, “We are thrilled to bring our new, contemporary building design to Wausau. These apartments will fill an under-served niche in Wausau providing an upscale rental option with great community amenities and the convenience of underground parking. We believe the tenant experience at Urban West will be second to none in the market.”
About S.C. Swiderski, LLC: S.C. Swiderski is a comprehensive construction and real estate investment company. The Construction Division provides complete planning, architectural and landscape design, excavation and construction services. The Real Estate Division acquires property and develops plans for the portfolio which includes multifamily, commercial, retail and resort properties as well as commercial, residential, waterfront and recreational land. The Property Management Division handles the professional management, grounds keeping and maintenance of their portfolio.
S.C. Swiderski is expanding and actively pursuing opportunities for acquisition and investment in the Midwest. scswiderski.com
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Midwest Prototyping Announces Partnership with UK-based firm to Bring New PostProcessing System to United States
Midwest Prototyping announced today its partnership with the UK-based Additive Manufacturing Technologies Ltd (AMT), manufacturer of additive manufacturing post processing equipment. Additionally, Steve Grundahl, President of Midwest Prototyping, has joined the board of AMT.
Both companies have recognized the need for effective post processing of 3D printed parts and independently have been working towards developing integrated solutions for the 3D industry. This partnership deal brings together a unique industry combination of 3D printing experience from Midwest Prototyping and surface finishing solutions, from AMT which together provide the ‘missing piece’ in the digital process chain.
“Demand for surface finishing 3D printed parts is significant in the US. We are delighted to enter into this partnership as it will enable us to satisfy this demand. The partnership achieves our long-held vision of providing an automated high-quality surface finish to 3D printed parts,” said Steve Grundahl, President and founder of Midwest Prototyping. “The first PostPro3D machine, arriving at our facility in Blue Mounds, enables Midwest to deliver the quality surface finishing expected from our customers. We see our relationship with AMT developing further as both our businesses grow.”
As part of the partnership deal Midwest Prototyping will take delivery of a PostPro3D automated surface finishing machine in Q4 2017. PostPro3D, allows automated surface finishing of Laser Sintered and Multi Jet Fusion parts – Including Nylon and elastomeric materials. This enabling technology achieves for the first time an injection molded like surface finish on 3D Printed parts.
AMT and Midwest Prototyping will work together jointly to further develop manufacturing processes that integrate the full post processing work flow into the digital process chain.
CEO of AMT, Joseph Crabtree, said on the partnership announcement: “The deal with Midwest Prototyping is a major step in our growth story. The arrangement will provide a US presence for our PostPro3D machine with a company who is able to print parts on site then demonstrate and showcase our technology to wide range of potential customers. Having the support of Midwest provides a great springboard for future US sales … Steve’s wealth of additive manufacturing and commercial experience will strengthen the board significantly.”
This partnership will give AMT direct access to the world’s largest 3D printing market as the two companies will work together to market and sell PostPro3D machines, made by AMT, in the USA.