For Gaby Cabrera, a southern California native and assistant product manager at Milwaukee Tool, there was one standout fear in moving to southeastern Wisconsin.

“For me, one of my biggest struggles, and one of the things I was most scared of when I first moved was the winters,” she said.

Beyond your standard post-shoveling muscle aches and becoming acclimated to driving in the conditions, she confessed “winters here are not that bad.”

Cabrera joined Ayrton Bryan, a sustainability project manager for Rockwell; and Danielle Frees, an assistant designer for Jockey International, during the panel discussion “Milwaukee Ambassadors: What Transplants Say About the Cream City” during last week’s Talent Recruitment Summit, hosted by MMAC and VISIT Milwaukee.

The trio talked at length about the things they like about Milwaukee, tips they would provide employers in helping transplants transition and the challenges they endured.

LANDMARK LEGISLATION, PROGRESS IN WORKPLACE EQUITY, GAME-CHANGING ECONOMIC INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHT AGENDA AT 162ND EVENT

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) will celebrate groundbreaking progress, acknowledge challenges that persist and set a path toward securing our region’s future at the 162nd All Members Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Bradley Symphony Center.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. with the program beginning at 5 p.m. A cocktail reception will follow from 6-8 p.m. To attend, register here.
 

Mount Pleasant, WI – CCB Technology, a nationally recognized leader in business IT solutions and services, announced today that it will celebrate the opening of its new headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local area business and community leaders, elected officials, partners, and CCB customers and supporters have been invited, with 300+ expected to attend.

CCB Technology Ribbon Cutting and Building Dedication
October 5, 2023, 3:00-5:00 PM – Ceremony begins at 3:15 PM
8411 Corporate Drive, Mount Pleasant, WI
Speakers include:

• Karla Krahbiel, Regional President of Johnson Financial Group
  
• Matt Montemurro, CEO of Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce
• Dave DeGroot, Mount Pleasant Village President
  

Upcoming event places focus on mental health in the workplace
According to a 2023 survey by Spill, a digital resource connecting people to online mental health professionals, nearly half of people surveyed (48 percent) say their mental well-being deteriorated in 2022. Twenty-eight percent said they are miserable in their workplace and six in 10 employees feel emotionally detached at work.
 
The figures are stark. And considering that mental health issues cost the global economy about $1 trillion annually in working days lost due to depression and anxiety, there can be strong business case made for providing mental health resources to employees.
 
To commemorate World Mental Health Day on Tuesday, Oct. 10, MMAC will host "Investing in Our People: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace."

How Does it Impact DEI Programs – Three Big Takeaways
In June, the U.S Supreme Court ruled to end affirmative action in college admissions. For many businesses with priority placed on diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring, retention and advancement practices, the 6-3 ruling provided questions about the future of these initiatives.
 
Last week, MMAC held a panel discussion to clear up some of the uncertainties. Corry Joe Biddle, MMAC VP of Community Affairs, moderated the discussion which included experts in employment law, diverse recruitment and DEI practices.

Two men integral in Milwaukee’s hosting of the 2020 Democratic National Convention and 2024 Republican National Convention joined on stage Tuesday to talk about the importance of Milwaukee landing both of these huge events.

“It’s about promoting Milwaukee. It’s about promoting Wisconsin,” said MKE 2024 Host Committee Chair Reince Priebus during a luncheon hosted by WisPolitics in Washington D.C.

Purchasing inclusively impacts people throughout the community. Whether its day-to-day buying, or more formal supply chain programs and contracts – diversifying those purchases can be felt in all corners of the region. Besides creating economic advantages for all involved, the practice drives innovation, competition and helps attract talent.

Second-chance, justice-involved, formerly incarcerated. Whatever term is used, they are people who just need a job. That simple truth served as the theme of a July 18 Region of Choice meeting to discuss opportunities for employers to hire individuals who have served time. As one of the panelists put it, “Remember, you’re working with people, not labels.”

The program was organized in partnership with the African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee (AALAM) and Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH).

By Clare McGinnis

Milwaukeeans are used to great dining thanks to superb culinary talent and the wonderful establishments they work in. Soon, hundreds of thousands of weekly viewers will get a taste of what we’re lucky to have.

Bravo’s Top Chef announced its 21st season will be filmed in Milwaukee and Madison. It’s no surprise that “America’s Dairyland” qualifies as an attractive location for the renowned cooking competition. But locals know that Wisconsin is much more than its cheese.

Paul Bartolotta , chef, co-founder and owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants, believes Milwaukee will pleasantly surprise viewers who aren’t familiar with the city.