The Milwaukee Advantage:
Building a Region People Choose
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
11:30 AM-5 PM
Italian Community Center | 631 E. Chicago St. | Milwaukee, WI 53202
Explore what makes people choose Milwaukee, build careers here, and stay. The Summit will combine timely regional research, candid conversations, employer and employee perspectives, and interactive peer discussion to identify practical strategies for strengthening attraction, development, belonging, and retention.
The Agenda
11:30 AM – 12 PM
Lunch & Connections
Lunch & Connections. Informal networking focused on Milwaukee careers, workplace experiences and talent challenges.
12:00 AM – 12:08 PM
Welcome
More information to come
12:08 PM – 12:20 PM
Opening Table Talk: Milwaukee and My Career
How has Milwaukee shaped your career?
12:20 – 1:05 PM
Brain Drain: What Does the Data Really Tell Us?
Recent Wisconsin research has generated significant discussion about brain drain. This session will help employers make sense of the headlines and underlying data.
1:05 – 2:05 PM
Why Milwaukee: Why We Stay, Leave and Come Back
A candid conversation exploring Milwaukee through five different career journeys.
2:05 – 2:20 PM | Break
2:20 – 3:10 PM
Belonging at Work: What the Belonging Barometer Tells Us
The Belonging Barometer provides a research-based way to understand belonging. We’ll dig into the findings and discuss them with individuals whose experiences illuminate what belonging actually looks like.
3:10 – 3:55 PM
Talent Talks
More information to come
3:55 – 4:05 PM | Break
4:05 – 4:50 PM
Gen Z at Work: Building a Career Worth Staying For
We will hear from Gen Z professionals about their career expectations and what would make them choose to build long term careers in Milwaukee.
4:50 – 5:00 PM
Closing Reflections: Building a Region People Choose
Highlight ideas captured throughout the Summit and turn them into action.
Following the Summit
Networking & Drinks
Continue conversations with speakers, colleagues and regional employers.
Event Sponsor
QUESTIONS?
Contact Amira Adams at
aadams@mmac.org or 414/287-4168
