YPWeek Wisconsin Announces 2018 Program Lineup
OnFocus – Marshfield Young Professionals and NEWaukee are proud to announce the expansion of YPWeek Wisconsin to include 27 communities, 200+ events and 30 public projects in 2018.
The grassroots statewide program will run April 20 to 28, 2018 with each community presenting a variety of programs that empower young professionals to take ownership and pride in their hometowns and inspire their peers to think differently and make things happen in Wisconsin.
YPWeek Wisconsin is modeled after a program started by NEWaukee in 2012 to provide a weeklong series of events focusing on discovery, adventure and meaningful conversations about the issues that matter to young professionals in the Milwaukee area.
YPWeek Wisconsin has continued to reach across the state with the support of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) since 2015, and its participants have collaborated with the agency on a shared communication platform designed to retain, excite, and grow the state’s talent pool. YPWeek incorporates this platform into its programming, leveraging “Think-Make-Happen,” an organizing theme.
After three years of successful expansion of YPWeek Wisconsin, NEWaukee has built the nation’s largest millennial talent network. YPWeek Wisconsin currently showcases 27 communities: Beaver Dam, Beloit, Chequamegon Bay, Clark County, Dodge County, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Fox Cities, Green Bay, Jefferson County, Kenosha, La Crosse, Madison, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marshfield, Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, Oshkosh, Racine, Rusk County, Sheboygan, Stevens Point/Plover, Viroqua, Walworth County, Waukesha, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids.
In reflecting on the week’s theme, organizers have uncovered their community’s version of the state’s shared communication platform:
THINK: Bold and inspiring conversations about critical issues such as: ‘Policy and a Pint’ in Wausau featuring newly elected officials and a ‘Political Open Mic’ in Milwaukee allowing people of different political backgrounds to discuss and come up with solutions around an issue affecting the community.
MAKE: Various showcases of historic and present production in Wisconsin such as: ‘Backstage Pass to Stevens Point Brewery’ in Stevens Point, and ‘The Side Hustle’ in Fond du Lac featuring a local entrepreneur.
HAPPEN: Colorful access points to the state’s distinct characteristics such as: Oshkosh’s annual Meat Raffle, Poker Bowling in Marinette & Menominee, and ‘We Are Wausau’, a cultural fair showcasing all that Wausau has to offer.
“Curating these events allows young people in our state to highlight what living here means to them and create new experiences that spark engagement in their communities.” says Angela Damiani, CEO and Co-Founder of NEWaukee. “YPWeek gives everyone a chance to work collaboratively and passionately towards making Wisconsin the ultimate destination.”
Continuing this year, each community will complete at least one public project that leaves a lasting positive imprint on their town. With the correlation of Earth Day falling within the week once again, many communities have organized large-scale neighborhood and park clean-ups. Marshfield Young Professionals will be cleaning up a section of South Highway 80 they adopted a couple of years ago.
Green Bay will host this year’s statewide kickoff event on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Millennials from across the state will travel to Green Bay for the official launch of the week and participate in the largest statewide young professional event.
To learn more about the kickoff party and to view the entire lineup of events visit: www.ypweek.com.
