Nominees and winners recognized at November 2 awards ceremony
The Fox Cities Chamber recently named its 2023 Business Award recipients at “The Connection – an Afternoon for Learning, Celebrating and Networking.” The annual awards recognize businesses and organizations in the Fox Cities that help make this a vibrant, innovative, and dynamic community.
The winners are:
Community Attraction Award – Appleton Downtown Inc. (ADI)
The Community Attraction Award highlights a business or organization that has had major influence on attracting visitors and residents of the Fox Cities to engage in the community; making the Fox Cities a more attractive place to work, live, visit, and have fun. ADI puts on dozens of events each year, most notably the Downtown Appleton Farmers Market and Thursday Night Concerts in Jones Park. Along with these summer long events, ADI has multiple other “walking” events along Downtown and the Riverfront that help create a vibrant Downtown for Appleton.
FAB (Food & Beverage) Award – Xe54: A Wine & Cocktail Lounge
The FAB Award highlights a local establishment that has an uncompromising, passionate devotion to the quality of their business to be a “one-of-a-kind” here in the Fox Cities. At Xe54, the ocean blue walls, well-appointed art, and modern lighting create an atmosphere of urban chic that invitingly captures attention. Xe54 is impressively collaborative and generous. The owner, Pamela Barnes is a former event coordinator for a non-profit. Because of that experience, giving back and offering local non-profits opportunities to raise money and awareness was written in her business plan.
Collaboration Award – The Monthlies Project
The Collaboration Award recognizes a collaborative Fox Cities project, activity, or event for its success, progress, innovation, and/or contributions to the community. The Monthlies Project is a community initiative providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates. The “founding members” of The Monthlies Project represent the following organizations and companies: Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, Bellin Health, ThedaCare Family of Foundations, Coalesce Marketing, and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
Large Business of the Year – Plexus Corp.
The Business of the Year Award recognizes the accomplishments of Fox Cities businesses for outstanding performance, including growth, commitment to quality, economic impact, and the contributions they make to our community.
The Plexus vision is to help create the products that build a better world. They partner with customers to create highly complex products that impact the way we live, work and experience the world. These products range from life-saving medical devices and mission-critical aerospace and defense products to industrial automation systems and semiconductor capital equipment. Through their responsible, sustainable product lifecycle solutions offerings, their passionate team creates products that define and influence everyday lives.
Small Business of the Year – Wisconsin Herd
The Wisconsin Herd has been in business for seven years and is starting its sixth season in November. Over the years, the Herd has grown externally through fans, partners, and community but also internally through their staff. The Herd is always looking for more ways to get involved and to benefit the community. The Herd has steadily increased in giving back to the community and last year hit an all-time high of over $90,000 given back to our community through donation requests, theme jersey auctions, fundraising, and much more.
Employee Friendly Workplace of the Year – The Boldt Company
The Employee Friendly Workplace of the Year Award recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance and innovations in creating a positive work culture. Boldt has incorporated a variety of different programs to benefit their employee’s professional development and overall wellbeing. With a culture focused on people Boldt strives to provide benefits that assist their employees in building extraordinary lives and gaining their full potential. They ensure employee feedback is heard by developing action plans to address survey results.
Champion of Young Professionals of the Year – Walbec Group
This award highlights and celebrates one of our existing Champions of Young Professionals. Becoming a YP champion allowed Walbec to demonstrate their commitment to supporting and developing young professionals within the organization. By investing in the growth and development of young professionals, they ensure a strong talent pipeline for the future and foster a positive work environment. Additionally, embracing young professionals brings fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and technological skills that can enhance productivity and efficiency.
About Fox Cities Chamber
The Fox Cities Chamber captures the energy of one of Wisconsin’s most dynamic regions and transforms it into innovative programs and services for its business members. The Fox Cities Chamber serves all of the Fox Cities communities within the counties of Outagamie, Calumet and the northern portion of Winnebago. The Fox Cities Chamber plays a leadership role in regional economic development efforts in Northeastern Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.foxcitieschamber.com.
