AT SPREENKLER, SPEAKERS SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE AND CREATIVE SECRETS TO INSPIRE YOU TO THINK IN NEW WAYS!

want to be a speaker?  If you have something to share and would like to be a featured speaker at a Spreenkler meeting, please contact me. I will explain how it works and provide guidance on how to structure your presentation. Speakers receive a complimentary dinner and a special gift as a thank you for taking the time to share and help us be better at what we do.

DECEMBER 5, 2007

IDEA SHARE: WHAT’S KILLING CREATIVITY

I will facilitate an Ideas Share (20 minutes) on what’s stifling creativity in various industries and companies and why creativity ambassadors are more important than ever in this creativity-on-demand world.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Who: Slingshot Marketing Executives Dave Schmidt (Founder/Owner) and Remig Raffanti (VP)

Web: www.slingshotmarketing.com

Discussion: Slingshot Marketing, a Saukville, WI based retail marketing agency has gone from 3 to 30 employees in 5 short years. Dave will discuss how he took his business idea from concept to execution to where it is today - a thriving, creative organization with an admirable client list. Remig is responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of the company and will share the vision for Slingshot’s future as well as the challenges in managing a company that is growing so quickly. Given the experience and personalities both Dave and Remig have, this will be not only informative, but very entertaining!

NOVEMBER 7, 2007

IDEA SHARE: NEW MEDIA

I will facilitate an Ideas Share (20 minutes) on New Media (blogs, podcasting, social networks, etc.). We’ll discuss how these channels are changing the communication rules, how some companies are leveraging the power of these channels and how YOU are utilizing them as well.

FEATURED SPEAKER

Who: Dave Fantle, VP of Public Relations for VISIT Milwaukee.

Web: www.visitmilwaukee.org, www.filmwisconsin.net

Discussion: The exciting initiative to bring TV, movie and video gaming production here to Wisconsin. This is begin done in an effort to build a new creative economy in our city and state. As Dave puts it, “Great new things are on the horizon!”

OCTOBER 2, 2007

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Who: Jordan Dechambre-Childers, Managing (Editor) and Suzanne Fedie (Promotions Director) of M Magazine (Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine).

Web: www.gmtoday.com

Discussion: How they generate and bring to life the ideas for the content that drives the magazine. Plus, we’ll learn more about their view of Milwaukee from their unique perspective and their vision of the future of our city. They’ll then open the discussion to questions and comments.

JULY 11, 2007

FEATURED SPEAKER

Who: Jessica Hastreiter

Contact: designwaitress@yahoo.com

Web: TBD

Discussion: Jessica has designed a high-end product for the pet industry. She would like to share her layout of a prototype concept, materials samples and initial launch plan. Jessica will then turn to the group for feedback on product names, positioning, distribution channels and launch strategy.

JUNE 6, 2007

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Who: Stephanie Kern and Brenda Keller from VanderBloemen Creative, LLC.

Contact: info@vanderbloemencreative.com

Web: www.vanderbloemencreative.com

Discussion: VanderBloemen Creative (VBC) provides marketing and advertising services for small companies to help them enhance their brand or service offering, attract new business and generate revenue. They are fueled by passion, fresh thinking and super talent! We’ll learn about the inspiration and hard work behind the launch of VBC and how they’re using groups like Spreenkler to make connections and grow their business.

FEBRUARY 6, 2008 [MEETING CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER]

IDEA SHARE: Spreenkler Milwaukee Projects

I will share two projects that are on the horizon for Spreenkler. The first is a panel I would like to assemble that will teach and discuss best practices of new media, networking and blending Web 2.0 with real world interaction. Our target audiences will be companies, schools and similar organizations. The second is a project aimed at raising funds for non-profits while highlighting the dynamic, creative people and organizations that reside in our very own city. I will provide further details as well as how you can get involved.

FEATURED SPEAKER

Who: Dean Amhaus

Web: www.spiritofmilwaukee.org

Discussion: TBD, but Dean mentioned they just wrapped up a significant project on January 18 that will be of great interest to the Spreenkler group.

About (taken from their website): The Spirit of Milwaukee is a private non-profit corporation whose mission is to educate the public, both locally and nationally, about greater Milwaukee's many cultural, educational, historical and scientific institutions; and, to encourage greater utilization of these wonderful Milwaukee assets.

Over the past decade Milwaukee has made enormous investments in developments in and around downtown. Those projects include the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater, the Discovery World Museum, Miller Park, the Milwaukee Art Museum expansion, the RiverWalk, Midwest Express Center, downtown housing and restaurant developments and neighborhood revitalization. Spirit of Milwaukee was created to assure that funding is available to cultivate a better understanding, both in the metropolitan area and nationally of the "new Milwaukee." 

Spirit of Milwaukee does not administer major programs, Rather, it leverages current and new marketing educational efforts by encouraging partnerships and collaborations among civic organizations and private businesses that effectively utilize its resources to communicate clearly the value of Milwaukee as a cultural destination. Spirit of Milwaukee provides grant awards to qualified organizations capable of delivering quality programs which meet the goals of the organization.

SPREENKLER MEETING CALENDAR

MARCH 5, 2008

IDEA SHARE: LAUNCH MILWAUKEE and USING NEW MEDIA

I have two concepts to share with you to get your expert feedback, creative direction and, hopefully, your participation. More details and next steps will be provided at the meeting.

Inspired by the initiatives of organizations such as VISIT Milwaukee, FILM Wisconsin and Spirit of Milwaukee, the Launch Milwaukee concept intends to generate awareness of the innovative and creative people and organizations in Milwaukee, communicated via the artistic vision and design and placed on display throughout the city.

The second concept, USING NEW MEDIA, seeks to utilize the experience and insight of members of the Spreenkler group. I’d like to have at least one “expert” for each major category of new media (i.e. blogs, social networks, file sharing, etc.) so that we might advise each other or any other organization in understanding how new media can be used to engage an audience, grow business or connect people.

FEATURED SPEAKER:

Who: Erica Conway, Milwaukee’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2008.

Web: www.c2gps.com

Discussion: Erica is super energetic, creative and what I’d call an ultra-connected person. She has a true passion for helping people. All of this must come in handy as Co-Owner of C2, a firm that provides leading edge training and talent placement for the graphic design industry. Proof of her hard work is her recent selection to Milwaukee’s 40 Under 40, a group comprised of Milwaukee’s influential, creative leaders who are shaping the future of the community. I asked Erica to tell us more about what it’s like to be part of this distinguished group and how it’s changed work and life.

APRIL 2, 2008

IDEA SHARE: Standout Design and Marketing

April’s Idea Share will examine how web-only companies such as Netflix and eHarmony depend on traditional marketing to solidify their integrated approach to capture new customers. We’ll look at direct mail and print media creative from these and other companies and share opinions and observations on how great design and traditional marketing elements are blending with interactive tactics to create a more effective campaign.

FEATURED SPEAKER:

Who: Cd Vann, Editor and Publisher of Magazine SOHO.

Web: www.SOHOBizTube.com

Discussion: Our featured speaker will be Cd Vann, Editor and Publisher of Magazine SOHO. Cd is on the verge of launching SOHOBizTube.com, a website that will provide growing businesses with an opportunity to Profile, Promote and Position their business nationwide while enjoying the benefits of monthly articles about how to grow every aspect of the business. There will also be information on maintaining a balance between your personal and professional life with up to date information on health and fitness. Cd will share more on this, as well as unveil the new website. Plus, we’ll learn more about the inspiration behind this project.

MAY 7, 2008

IDEA SHARE: Bucketworks, Milwaukee

I will provide an inside look to this innovative facility after an in-depth tour.

FEATURED SPEAKER

Who: Dean Amhaus, President of Spirit of Milwaukee

Web: www.spiritofmilwaukee.org

Discussion: Dean will give an overview of Spirit of Milwaukee and Milwaukee7 (Dean is part of the Core Team). He will then lead a brainstorm session to generate ideas with the Spreenkler group for a big event this fall. Wisconsin will once again be a pivotal state in the election and we have an opportunity to maximize this status in a positive way. Dean will look to us for ideas on how we can help make sure every politician, national media representative, and the occasional celebrity will have a great experience in Milwaukee!

About (taken from their website): The Spirit of Milwaukee is a private non-profit corporation whose mission is to educate the public, both locally and nationally, about greater Milwaukee's many cultural, educational, historical and scientific institutions; and, to encourage greater utilization of these wonderful Milwaukee assets.

Over the past decade Milwaukee has made enormous investments in developments in and around downtown. Those projects include the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater, the Discovery World Museum, Miller Park, the Milwaukee Art Museum expansion, the RiverWalk, Midwest Express Center, downtown housing and restaurant developments and neighborhood revitalization. Spirit of Milwaukee was created to assure that funding is available to cultivate a better understanding, both in the metropolitan area and nationally of the "new Milwaukee." 

Spirit of Milwaukee does not administer major programs, Rather, it leverages current and new marketing educational efforts by encouraging partnerships and collaborations among civic organizations and private businesses that effectively utilize its resources to communicate clearly the value of Milwaukee as a cultural destination. Spirit of Milwaukee provides grant awards to qualified organizations capable of delivering quality programs which meet the goals of the organization.