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Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
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MMAC Member Appreciation Tour


As members, you trust MMAC to drive solutions for our region’s business challenges and keep Milwaukee a world class place to do business.

In 2022, the MMAC team began its Member Appreciation Tour by randomly selected more than 100 businesses located across southeastern Wisconsin to discuss their views on the top opportunities and challenges facing their businesses and the Milwaukee Region.


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We were welcomed into organizations of all sizes and industries including:
  • Industrial & manufacturing
  • Professional services
  • Shopping & retail
  • Restaurants
  • Real estate & construction
  • Education
  • Health care
  •  Public utilities
  • Advertising, media & communications
Top opportunities
for their business

  • Growing revenue & sales
  • Providing family supporting jobs in their communities
  • Opportunities created by the work returning from overseas

Businesses are providing professional development or upskilling training for their employees while they continue to search for additional talent – earning more our working age population sought-after skills.

Many of the businesses we visited are growing. Those hit hardest during the global pandemic – specifically in hospitality – are excited to see increased activity. Others, especially manufacturers, are encouraged to be finally tackling the backlog of projects and/or production that accrued.
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BiltRite Furniture, Inc.
Member since 1971

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Wixon, Inc.
Member since 1999
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Barry Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. Member since 1966
Top opportunities
for the Milwaukee region

  • Having businesses from outside the region relocate here  
  • Freshwater resources
  • Impact of the RNC convention

The work of the Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development in supporting businesses moving or growing within the region was often mentioned, including its efforts to attract businesses from neighboring states.

As well as increasing the commitment towards our untapped workforce (those formally incarcerated or without a high school degree, etc.) During the appreciation tour, MMAC connected a company with …

Thank you for your continued investment in the MMAC.

Biggest challenges
for their business
  • Retaining current employees & finding more talent
  • Crime/safety of employees
  • Government regulations


While finding talent remains on the top of everyone’s list, many sited other talent challenges such as hybrid working and the loss of tribal knowledge due to retirement. They also commented on the loss of potential sales/revenue opportunities due to lack of staff.

Due to the number of people working from home, volunteer involvement has also dropped significantly for many nonprofits across the region.
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Biggest challenges
for the MKE Region
  • Recruiting talent
  • Crime
  • Higher inflation
  • Disrupted supply chains


Unsurprisingly, recruiting talent is not only an issue for your business but the entire region. Many remarked on potential candidates not having necessary skills or education needed to fill positions. Yet, overall student population continues to decline at several higher education institutions we spoke with.

Regional infrastructure also present difficulties for commuters with deteriorating roads, lack of direct flights to large metros, and transporting employees to their production facilities.
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All rights reserved.

301 W Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 220 | Milwaukee, WI 53203 
Tel 414/287-4100 | Fax 414/271-7753 | info@mmac.org
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  • JOIN
  • Membership
    • The benefits of joining
    • Member Appreciation Tour
    • Member directory >
      • Member Spotlights
      • Talent Solutions Directory
    • What we do >
      • Talent >
        • Ranking Milwaukee County Schools
        • Education recommendations
        • Technology Education & Literacy in Schools (TEALS)
        • Career-based learning experiences
      • Growth
      • Livability
      • Equity
      • Peer metro comparison
    • Cost saving programs >
      • Health insurance plan
      • Office supply discount program
    • Events >
      • 2021 All Member Meeting
      • 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit
      • Talent Solution Series
      • Emerging Leaders Series
      • Global Business Insights Series
      • Member Orientation
      • Replay: The Business of MKE Series
      • Replay: Race Bridge Series
    • For members only >
      • Fall 2022 Impact Report
      • Sponsorship
      • Advertising
    • Need more info?
  • Networks
    • Leadership Council
    • President's Huddle
    • Executive roundtable program
    • FUEL Milwaukee for young professionals
    • Future 50 Awards Program
    • Networking Forum for referrals
    • Region of Choice Initiative
    • Roundtables for high-growth companies
    • World Trade Association
  • Advocacy
    • 2021-2022 Legislative Scorecard >
      • Senate Votes
      • Assembly Votes
    • Recent Legislative Wins
    • Funding Local Governments
    • Miller Park economic impact study
    • Wisconsin State Legislature
    • K-12 Education Recommendations
  • Economic Development
    • Attracting or expanding businesses in the MKE region >
      • Milwaukee 7 Partnership
    • Supporting local startups >
      • MKE Venture Mentoring Service
      • M7 Venture Capital Fund
      • New business planning guide
    • Milwaukee Development Corp. >
      • Rebuild & Revitalize Program
    • Milwaukee Urban Strategic Investment Corp. (MUSIC)
    • Milwaukee EB-5 Visa program
  • Metro MKE
    • 2023 Navigate Business MKE
    • State of Manufacturing
    • Business outlook survey
    • Economic trends
    • Local media listings
    • Major employers in metro Milwaukee
    • Metro Milwaukee demographics
    • Order a publication
    • Relocating a business
  • About
    • Board of directors
    • Career Opportunities at MMAC
    • Staff
    • Milwaukee Commerce magazine
    • News
    • Members of the media >
      • Recent Media Coverage
    • Scholarships for minority students