State of the Association – WEDA President and CEO Mary Perry

Greetings. WEDA Family… Who else loves summer in Wisconsin? It’s finally here, and I hope you and your loved ones are ready to make every moment count. This season let’s focus on creating memorable experiences that will last a lifetime, whether they happen right here in Wisconsin or beyond.

Summer also marks the beginning of nomination season for the 2024 Community and Economic Development Awards (CEDA). We encourage you to nominate projects, initiatives, and efforts that enhance your hometown’s quality of life, growth, and prosperity. Categories include Business Retention and Expansion, Community Impact, Real Estate Redevelopment, and Talent. CEDA is your chance to celebrate the exemplary contributions of individuals, communities, and businesses driving economic growth in Wisconsin. Nominations will open soon, so stay tuned…

I’d like to take a moment to congratulate and thank Suzanne Zwaska, a long-time WEDA board director, on her retirement. Suzanne, your dedication to WEDA’s vision of making Wisconsin a better place to live and work has been invaluable. With strong financial support from Keystone Sponsor US Bank, Suzanne has been instrumental in advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging within the Association. Thank you, Suzanne, for enhancing our Academy, Conferences, and Basic Economic Development Course over the years.

With Suzanne’s retirement, we are pleased to welcome Coleman Peiffer of Alliant Energy to the WEDA board. Coleman, we are excited about the passion, leadership, and knowledge you will bring to our Association.

In other news, the Fall Best Practices Conference planning and production committee is wrapping up its work – and is even looking for musicians to join our house band during the conference reception. If you want to perform, see Join the Jam Session information here and contact Travis Peterson to learn more. Mark your calendars for September 25-27 and join us at the Lismore Hotel in beautiful downtown Eau Claire!

Planning for the 2025 WEDA Governor’s Conference is also about to begin. As a member-driven organization, we value your input! If you’re interested in serving on the planning and production team, please let us know. Look for the session RFP coming out this fall.

Have a safe and happy summer!