Soledad O’Brien added to Chamber’s Sold-out IceBreaker Luncheon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 13, 2016)
Contact: Kevin Little, Vice President, 608-443-1949

MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce annual lunch event, IceBreaker, just got even bigger with the addition of critically-acclaimed journalist and documentarian, Soledad O’Brien as a featured speaker and moderator. O’Brien will share the stage with previously-announced keynote Steve Case, co-founder of America Online.

O’Brien will interview Case about his new book, The Third Wave, and discuss the next era of entrepreneurship and innovation. Together they will bring international insight on business, leadership and Greater Madison’s place in The Third Wave.

Tickets for the event have already sold out, with more than 750 business attendees filling the Kohl Center floor and, new this year, designated student sections in the arena stands with 450 total attendees from Madison Metropolitan High Schools, Madison College, Edgewood College and UW-Madison.

“To witness one of the best journalists in the world interview one of the best entrepreneurial minds in the world right here in Madison will be special,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon. “We are particularly excited to have our future leaders be a part of the conversation as we discuss Greater Madison’s role in The Third Wave and our ability to solve global problems.”

IceBreaker is sold out to the public, but press credentials can be obtained by contacting Kevin Little, Chamber Vice President, at klittle@greatermadisonchamber.com.

Event details:
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Lunch, IceBreaker
Thursday, April 21, 2016
On the Floor of the Kohl Center, Madison
Doors open at 10:30 a.m.

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 8,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.

AOL Co-Founder Steve Case to speak at Chamber’s Annual Lunch, IceBreaker

 AOL Co-Founder Steve Case to speak at Chamber’s Annual Lunch, IceBreaker

Case to discuss his highly anticipated book The Third Wave greater Madison’s role.

MADISON, Wis. (Feb 12, 2016) – One of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and business executives will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce second annual IceBreaker luncheon on April 21 at the Kohl Center in Madison. Steve Case, co-founder of America Online and CEO of Revolution LLC, will discuss how we’re entering the Third Wave of the internet—a period when entrepreneurs will change the way we live our lives by leveraging new technologies to transform the country’s largest sectors and how places like greater Madison can play an increasing role in solving global challenges.

“Steve Case literally got the world online through America Online, created thousands of jobs, and orchestrated the largest merger in business history,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “We’re honored to feature his insight at one of our most dynamic events of the year.”

Case’s visit coincides with the release of his first book, The Third Wave, which is part memoir about Case’s extraordinary business career launching AOL and driving the worldwide adoption of the internet, and part manifesto that predicts we’re at the dawn of the next technological revolution unlike anything we’ve seen before—the Third Wave of the internet— that will transform major industries in the economy.

“In his book, and his recent Rise of the Rest Tour, Steve highlights the potential of mid-American cities like Madison, not just Silicon Valley, to lead the next wave of innovation,” said Brandon. “It is a strong statement that one of the greatest entrepreneurial minds continues to identify greater Madison as a place that is solving global challenges.”

IceBreaker is the spring lunchtime companion to the Chamber’s annual fall dinner, and the only business event held on the Kohl Center floor. The unique setting will be complemented with a diverse audience of business executives, civic leaders, and new this year, a student section for high school, college and university students.

“This year’s Icebreaker will bring together current and future business and community leaders,” said Brandon. “The energy in the Kohl Center is going to be inspiring on April 21.”

For more details and to register for the event, visit greatermadisonchamber.com.

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.

###

Kevin Little Named Vice President of Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce

MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced today that Kevin Little will serve as the organization’s new Vice president. In this role, Little will lead the Chamber’s external relations, including its political advocacy, economic development, communications, programming and events.

Previously, Little served as the Chamber’s Director of Public Policy and more recently as the Managing Director of Economic Development. Chamber President Zach Brandon said Little’s diverse blend of experience and established relationships in the region will enable the organization to accelerate its external activity to serve its nearly 1,300 business members.

“As we accelerate and compete on a global level, our ability to effectively communicate greater Madison’s brand and economic opportunity while strengthening the Chamber’s business advocacy and value to our members requires talent with deep local knowledge and a committed focus,” Brandon said. “With the talent we have in place, the Chamber and greater Madison have never been better positioned.”

Little says he looks forward to the work ahead, noting the encouraging economic trends and opportunities for greater Madison’s business community.

“There has never been a more exciting and meaningful time to be doing this work, especially in a place with as much potential as greater Madison, and an organization with as much momentum as the Chamber,” said Little. “I look forward to contributing more in this new role to serve our valued members, support our talented team and community partners, and capitalize on this opportunistic moment for our region.”

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 8,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.

###

Statement: Chamber Disappointed by Unexpected Kraft Heinz Closure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 4, 2015)
Contact: Kevin Little, Managing Director of Economic Development, 608-443-1949

MADISON – In response to today’s decision by the Kraft Heinz Company to close its Madison operations, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon released the following statement:

“To say this unexpected news is both sad and unfortunate is an understatement. Oscar Mayer is deeply rooted in Madison’s history, and we expected it would be a part of greater Madison’s next chapter.

Nearly 100 years ago, the Mayer brothers saw great opportunity and purchased a failing meat-packing plant in Madison. As a community, we grew with Oscar Mayer and took pride in its success. Over the years, the company has not only been a major employer, it has been a major investor in our community institutions.

Today, our attention turns to the employees, families, and suppliers affected by this decision, and the need for coordinated, intentional, public and private economic development efforts to ensure greater Madison continues to be a place of great opportunity.”

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 8,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.

###

Greater Madison Startups Return to Silicon Valley

Chamber Bringing top emerging companies to represent ecosystem and meet with investors
MADISON – Some of Greater Madison’s most promising startups are headed west to meet with prominent venture capital firms next week as part of a regional business delegation led by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. The trip marks a return visit for the Chamber, state economic development partners and emerging business startups, all working together to promote the economic momentum in Greater Madison’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Greater Madison is entering a new Golden Era in business, led by competitive innovation sectors and a rapidly-scaling entrepreneurial landscape,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “As we continue to build and compete with cities across the globe, it is imperative that we travel with purpose and actively tell our story as a world-class place to build and invest.”

The Silicon Valley trip is the culmination of the Chamber’s popular Pressure Chamber pitch competition, this year held in conjunction with the Forward Technology Festival. A crowd of more than 400 attendees and a panel of invited out-of-state investors crowned Katie Brenner and the team at bluDiagnostics winner, and with it, an all-expenses paid guaranteed spot on the coveted trip. BluDiagnostics’ win caps a big year for the life sciences startup, having also won the Doyenne Group’s 5x5x5 pitch event and the statewide Governor’s Business Plan Competition.

Joining bluDiagnostics will be four equally exciting companies representing different strengths of Greater Madison’s economy, including health, tech and gaming. They include:

• Fetch Rewards – A mobile application that allows shoppers to scan items as they shop, receive real-time savings and virtual cash back, and track their spending and checkout with the scan of a single barcode on their phone.

•  Healthmyne – Provides clinicians with real-time evidence-based imaging insights and solutions that significantly aid improved decision-making for optimized patient care and reduced care delivery cost.

• PerBlue – An independent mobile gaming company with a strong portfolio of mid-core progression based Role-playing and Strategy games, including DragonSoul, Titan Empires, and Greed for Glory.

• Redox – The modern API for healthcare integration, Redox connects to existing health system infrastructure, helping developers integrate with EHRs and health systems manage their connections to the cloud.

“We are proud to connect coastal investment to a sampling of our talent and business opportunities,” said Brandon. “We look forward to a productive trip, making new connections, strengthening existing ties and being an ambassador for all of the innovation happening throughout Greater Madison.”

The trip begins with a tour of Googleplex, Google’s Headquarters, made possible by the growing Google hub in Madison. Later in the evening an exclusive invite-only dinner will provide an opportunity for investor interaction and private discussion with business partners. The following day will include company pitches with a dozen global investment firms, followed by a reception sponsored by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation with support from the Badger Entrepreneurship Forum, a Bay-area organization of UW-Madison alumni.

Pressure Chamber and the Silicon Valley trip are supported by Michael Best & Friedrich, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, American Family Ventures, Baird Capital, 4490 Ventures, HealthX Ventures, Lindsay Stone & Briggs, Three Oaks Venture Fund and Venture Investors.