Every business leader in the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce is asking the same question:
How do we grow when we can’t find the people to grow with us?
Across Wausau, employers are doing many things correctly. They are investing in their companies, serving their customers and building strong teams. And yet, in meeting after meeting, in business retention visits, in roundtable discussions and through the responses to the 2026 Economic Outlook survey, a single challenge keeps rising to the surface:
There simply aren’t enough skilled workers.
This isn’t just a hiring issue.It’s a growth issue.A sustainability issue.A future-of-our-community issue.
And here’s the reality, we’re not alone.
Communities across the country, both large and small, are facing the same demographic shifts. Talent is becoming the most valuable and most limited resource.
And right now, there’s a race happening. A race to attract, develop, and retain the people who will define the next decade of economic vitality.
Some communities are already organizing. They’re aligning partners, mapping resources and building coordinated strategies to compete and win.
Wausau has that same opportunity. But it requires action.
On May 13, we are bringing together leaders, employers, educators and community stakeholders for a pivotal moment.
A moment to step back and clearly understand what the next decade of workforce trends means for the region’s economic well-being.
Attend the Chamber’s high-impact, call-to-action Workforce 2036 event on Wednesday, May 13 at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. The program will feature insights from economist Dennis Winter. You’ll gain a clear, data-driven look at where our workforce is headed and what it means for your organization over the next decade.
Most importantly, this is a challenge each of us won’t have to solve alone.
At this event, the Greater Wausau Chamber will launch the Greater Wausau Workforce Alliance. This new, collaborative initiative is designed to bring employers, educators and community leaders together to tackle our region’s talent challenges head-on.
Because the regions that win the next decade will be the ones who build the strongest workforce, together.
About Dennis Winters:
Dennis Winters is a nationally recognized expert on human resource challenges in the competitive global economic environment. He has presented on the increasing value of talent to numerous audiences, including the Milken Global Conference, the Society of Business Editors and Writers, the National Association of State Legislators and the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Dennis has expertise in economic analysis, modeling and forecasting; encompassing everything from designing commodity derivative strategies to long-term policy initiative scenario assessments. His areas of focus include regional and national macroeconomics, energy and labor markets, and economic impact analysis.
Dennis has served as an advisor to private industry, government agencies, and elected federal, state and local officials. Mr. Winters has testified before governmental investigative bodies and appeared in television and radio interviews and been quoted in the national press such as the Wall Street Journal, Investors Daily, USA Today, the Christian Science Monitor, the Journal of Commerce and the Swedish equivalent of Business Week, as well as many local newspapers.
Dennis Winters’ is retired, previously serving as the Chief Economist, Director of the Bureau of Workforce Information and Technical Support, and Labor Market Information Director for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
This program/event is being hosted by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) and is intended to provide information, education and/or entertainment to individuals and businesses. The content presented does not necessarily represent the position of the GWCC Board of Directors, staff, sponsors, member investors and/or the membership as a whole.
Media Release: The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to use any audio and/or video recorded during this event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the audio or video. The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce may use the audio or video in publications or other marketing materials produced, used or contracted by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce.
7:30 AM Doors Open
8:00 AM Program Intro
8:05 AM Dennis Winters
8:50 AM CWAIC Staff on Artificial Intelligence
9:15 AM Closing
9:30 AM Program End
This program is complimentary to members.
Not sure if you're a member? Contact us at 715-845-6231 to find out.
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