Study Features Madison As Place of Industry and Innovation, Highlights Impact of Research on Economic Growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 4, 2017)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

MADISON – Today the Atlantic Council released a new report, “Keeping America’s Innovative Edge,” that provides a strategic framework for reinvigorating innovation in America and includes policy recommendations that cover subjects such as research and development, skills training, education and city planning. Madison was one of four U.S. “tech hubs” – along with Boulder/Denver, Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area – featured in the report, and Chamber board member Aaron Olver, Managing Director of University Research Park, was part of the expert panel at the event launching the report.

In response, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon released the following statement:

“To be one of just four tech hubs profiled in this report is a tremendous validation of the progress the Greater Madison region is making toward being recognized as a place of industry and innovation. As the report states, place matters, and with the right tools, investment and intentional action, Greater Madison is well-positioned for continued growth and recognition.

“While the report includes many encouraging signs for Greater Madison’s economy, there are cautionary notes as well, particularly when it comes to a long-term decline in government-funded university research. This report highlights the critical impact that research has on our innovation economy and serves as another warning lawmakers must heed about the direct correlation between public investment in universities and economic growth.

“UW-Madison is a world-class research institution that supplies the state with skilled talent and technology transfer into the marketplace, but that reputation and associated output cannot be taken for granted. To maintain our global competitive edge, it is imperative for state and federal policymakers to reverse the trend in declining research funding.”

You can read the full report here.

About the Atlantic Council:

The Atlantic Council promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the Atlantic Community’s central role in meeting global challenges. The Council provides an essential forum for navigating the dramatic economic and political changes defining the twenty-first century by informing and galvanizing its uniquely influential network of global leaders. Through the papers we write, the ideas we generate, and the communities we build, the Council shapes policy choices and strategies to create a more secure and prosperous world. Learn more at http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/.

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.

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Doyenne Hosts Its First Movie Night to Celebrate the Courage of Women Entrepreneurs

Contact:
Heather Wentler
Executive Director, Doyenne
608.620.3479 heather@thedoyennegroup.com

Doyenne Hosts Its First Movie Night to Celebrate the Courage of Women Entrepreneurs

Community Invited to Screening of “Dream, Girl” at Sundance Cinemas in Madison

Madison, WI — April 4 , 2017: Doyenne is hosting its first Movie Night, sponsored by Clark & Gotzler, at Sundance Cinemas as part of its FUNdraising event series.

“Our FUNdrasing events are opportunities for the larger community to engage with Doyenne in a ‘fun’ experience to promote women entrepreneurs within our community, learn about the organization and the work we do, and as a way to bring in funds for Doyenne to be able to continue to provide the excellent programming and coaching opportunities Doyenne organizes for women entrepreneurs,” said Heather Wentler, Co-founder & Executive Director, Doyenne.

Members of the Madison–area community are invited to gather together to support women entrepreneurs and participate in a screening of the film Dream, Girl. This movie examines the struggles and successes of women-owned businesses and entrepreneurship, and was selected as a must-see for members and those considering joining or supporting Doyenne. It provides an honest portrayal of the diverse experiences of women entrepreneurs from a variety of different backgrounds, highlighting their joys successes and challenges.

The event will provide participants with a relaxed evening of cocktails, popcorn, welcome by Doyenne leaders and screening of the movie. In addition, attendees can join a unique post-film discussion amongst three to four local entrepreneurs. The women selected for the panel will interview each other about specific themes of interest from the film in a real-time conversation.

“We are excited to share this film because it makes a strong case for why women’s entrepreneurship, and more specifically, why organizations to support the advancement of women’s entrepreneurship are critical. It highlights the challenges women face,” said Amy Gannon, Co-Founder & Director of Programming, Doyenne. “Doyenne works relentlessly, in Madison and beyond, to address these challenges and create opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive.”

Doyenne’s Movie Night will take place on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Sundance Cinemas in Madison, Wisconsin. Tickets cost $20 per person and include free popcorn, movie screening and networking. Tickets at the door cost $30 per person. Discounted rates for students and groups of 5 and 10 attendees are also available.

For more information about the event, please visit: https://www.doyennegroup.org/event/special-doyenne-screening-of-dream-girl/

For more information about the film, please visit: http://dreamgirlfilm.com

Doyenne encourages members of the community to gather friends to attend for an evening of inspiration, information and an understanding of the work Doyenne does and how they can get involved in the movement.

About Doyenne
Doyenne was founded in 2012 to address the gender gap within the entrepreneurial community in Madison, WI. Unlike other entrepreneur organizations, Doyenne takes an individualized approach in developing transformative learning opportunities for women. It’s programming is focused on four pillars of success: Community Collaboration, Connect Networks, Developing Entrepreneurs and Funding Ventures.

Together these areas of emphasis ignite and empower smart, aspirational, modern women to come together and drive each other forward on the path to success. Ultimately, Doyenne is a movement to change the face of entrepreneurship in Madison and beyond. For more information please visit: http://www.doyennegroup.org/

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SVA and BBB team up for ShredFest 2017

SVA and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are set to host ShredFest 2017 in Madison and Milwaukee. Complimentary shredding services will be available to the public on April 29, 2017 at Warner Park in Madison and on May 6, 2017 at the SVA offices in Brookfield.

Every three seconds someone is a victim of identity theft. Criminals can use your stolen personal and financial information to access your bank accounts, open new accounts, and apply for loans, credit cards and other goods and services. Prevention is key and one way to protect yourself is to shred documents that are no longer needed.

“In today’s environment where identity theft is continually on the rise, it is vitally important to dispose of confidential documents properly to protect one’s personal information,” states Carl Schultz, President & CEO of SVA. “We are excited to provide this complimentary shredding event to our clients and the community so they can feel safe and secure.”

For more information including times and locations, visit www.SVAaccountants.com/events.

About SVA

Since our inception in 1974, we have focused on developing long-standing business relationships.  As our clients’ businesses and personal interests have grown, we have increased our service offerings to meet their expanding needs.

Now over 40 years later, SVA and its affiliates are recognized leaders offering a wide range of professional services including audit and accounting, tax, business information technologies, wealth management, trust and estate administration services.

The cornerstone of SVA will always remain the same, providing service and value to help our clients achieve measurable results, while exceeding their expectations.  SVA is not only dedicated to the clients we serve, we are dedicated to the communities we serve, maintaining a long tradition of involvement and support.

SVA is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, employs over 300 staff, and has additional offices in Milwaukee and Appleton, Wisconsin and Rockford, Illinois.

www.sva.com

The Alliance® Receives $50,000 Grant to Develop QualityPath® for Colonoscopies

MADISON, Wis. (March 22, 2017) – The Alliance® has received a matching grant of up to $50,000 to expand its QualityPath® program to create a pathway to high-value colonoscopies.

The matching grant was made by the Purchaser Value Network (PVN), an initiative of the Pacific Business Group on Health, San Francisco, Calif. PVN aims to accelerate the adoption of high-value health care delivery and payment models through policy advocacy, education and purchaser engagement.

The Alliance received one of eight PVN grants made nationwide with funding provided by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. PVN announced the grants in press releases on Feb. 6 and March 21.  The grants provide funding of up to $50,000 for regional business coalitions implementing innovative practices in value-based purchasing and health care payment reform.

The Alliance plans to introduce QualityPath for colonoscopies in June 2018. Launched in 2015, the QualityPath program currently guides patients to high-quality providers for CTs and MRI scans and knee replacement, total hip replacement and coronary artery bypass graft surgeries.

QualityPath offers these benefits:

• For surgeries, using a bundled payment approach, which means that all participating doctors, clinics and hospitals receive a single, pre-determined payment. In a traditional approach, each component of the surgery is billed separately.
• Eliminating out-of-pocket costs or deductibles for patients on a traditional health plan when using QualityPath (savings vary for patients with a plan that has a health savings account).
• Identifying high-quality care based on national quality measures. For surgeries and for colonoscopies, quality measurements are based on the combination of a specific doctor working at a specific hospital.
• Providing a warranty for care provided as part of QualityPath.

Employers who are members of The Alliance can enroll in QualityPath, which is then offered to employees and family members enrolled in health plans that use The Alliance network. A list of participating doctors, hospitals and clinics is available on The Alliance website (www.the-alliance.org).

The Alliance is a not-for-profit cooperative that moves health care forward by controlling costs, improving quality and engaging individuals in their health. Members include more than 240 self-funded employers and multiemployer plans in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

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Alliance President and CEO Cheryl DeMars is available for interviews on request.

ABOUT THE PURCHASER VALUE NETWORK

The Purchaser Value Network, an initiative of the Pacific Business Group on Health, aims to accelerate the adoption of high value health care delivery and payment models through policy advocacy, education and purchaser engagement. The network seeks to inject purchaser perspectives and innovative best practices into federal and state policy decision making, educate employers about value-based purchasing and advocacy opportunities, and aligns three critical purchaser sectors – private employers, states, and the federal government – around evidence-based practices. For more information, visit www.pvnetwork.org.

Circle of Friends Luncheon

Now in its 12th year, the annual Circle of Friends luncheon provides an opportunity for Madison individuals, business leaders and supporters to come together and learn about the work of the Foundation in Madison’s public schools. The Circle of Friends Luncheon showcases innovative and creative programs that enrich classroom learning and generates a shared enthusiasm for what we can do as a community to support our 27,000 students. For the past several years, the event has hosted over 700 attendees at the Alliant Energy Center for lunch, networking and inspirational videos and speeches.

https://circleoffriends2017.splashthat.com/