Inventors |
Do you have an idea for an invention or new product? Would you like to start your own business? The Inventors and Entrepreneurs (I&E) Club can help you explore your idea and turn it into a product or business. At our meetings you can share your ideas, network with other creative people and find resources to help you. New ideas are just a spark away!
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at the Western Technical College Community Room, 220 South Main Street in Viroqua. Networking starts at 5:30 p.m., the program begins at 6:00 p.m. The meetings are free and no reservations are required. Everyone is welcome!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Emerging Opportunities in the Food Processing Industry
Learn about the latest trends and new opportunities in the food processing industry related to Food Safety, Sustainability/Environment, Operations, and Processing.
Wade Nolte has more than twenty years of food operations experience with both Privately Held small companies and Fortune 100 Public companies. As Vice President of Operations, Mr. Nolte’s responsibilities with Century Foods include all plant operations (strategy, budgeting and capacity planning), engineering and maintenance (reliability, project management and preventative programs), logistics, supply chain management, safety, and continuous improvement functions. His education background includes a BA in Business Management, an MBA from the University of St Thomas, and formal training in Six Sigma and Lean Management.
Century Foods International was founded in rural western Wisconsin in 1991 as a broker /trader operation for dairy products. Century Foods has grown into a full service manufacturing and service provider. The company specializes in dairy and vegetable proteins, nutraceuticals including muscle-building and weight-loss powders, and ready-to-drink beverages. Today, Century Foods has four manufacturing facilities with more than 400 employees and serves customers in more than 45 countries.
Whether you have an idea or just like to think business, plan to attend for a dynamic evening of networking with lots of creative people. Everyone is welcome!
We hope to see you at the club!
Past Topics and Speakers
April 11, 2012
“Need Cash: Tap Federal Dollars, Crowdfunding and other Initiatives to Fund Your Project”
Anne M. Hlavacka, Director of the Small Business Development Center, UW-La Crosse
March 14, 2012
“Lessons on inventing from Wile E. Coyote”
Herb Goetz & Mark Payne, product development experts from the Fab Lab at Fox Valley Technical College
February 8, 2012
“Teaching a New Dog Old Tricks”
Joel Gordon, retired businessman from New York's Madison Avenue
January 11, 2012
Cancelled due to weather
December 12, 2011
Holiday Party at Dave’s Pizza in Viroqua
Featuring Dave Goss. Owner and Serial Entrepreneur
November 9, 2011
Selling to the Federal Government
Kim Garber, Small Business Programs Manager for the Wisconsin Procurement Institute in Milwaukee
October 12, 2011
“The Story of Bluedog Cycles”
Pete Taylor, Owner of Bluedog Cycles in Viroqua
September 14, 2011
“Does your idea need research and resource help”
Sandra Beccue, Market Research Manager for the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center (WISC) at UW-Whitewater
August 10, 2011
“What You Need to Finance Your Venture”
Terri Urbanek, Internal Financial and Operations Auditor at Community Credit Union in La Crosse
July 13, 2011
Meeting cancelled due to schedule conflict
June 8, 2011
“Business Planning Based on Reality”
Rick Terrien, Executive Director of the Iowa County Area Economic Development Corp.
May 11, 2011
“The Kickapoo Coffee Story”
TJ Semanchin and Caleb Nicholes, Co-owners of Kickapoo Coffee in Viroqua
April 13, 2011
“Managing your Intellectual Property”
Chuck Sara, Patent Attorney with Dewitt Ross & Stevens Law Firm
March 9, 2011
Cancelled due to weather
February 9, 2011
“Think Funded! Grant Writing 101”
Sue Noble, Director of Vernon Economic Development Association
January 12, 2011
“How to Use Social Networking to Increase Your Sales”
Stephen Woessner, UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center
December 8, 2010
Holiday Party and Networking at Optimo Café in Viroqua
November 10, 2010
“From Idea to LLC”
Roald Gundersen, co-owner Whole Trees Architecture and Construction
October 13, 2010
“Making Your Dream Profitable”
Jim Gage, business consultant and grant writer
September 8, 2010
The Wedding Barn
Diane Hunter, owner of Huntington Farm near Viroqua
August 11, 2010
Powering Vehicles with Cow Pies
Chris Schneider, owner/founder of Honda Motorwerks and Greendrinks in La Crosse
July 14, 2010
A Legal Smorgasbord
Jason Sytsma, Attorney at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
June 9, 2010
Building a Year Round Sustainable Tourist Destination
Donna Justin, Owner of Justin Trails
May 12, 2010
Guerilla Marketing
Sarah Arendt, Marketing Director for AVS Marketing Group, La Crosse.
April 14, 2010
Growing a Grassroots Organization from the Ground Up
Tamara Dean, President of Driftless Community Radio, WDRT 91.9FM
March 10, 2010
Approaching investors and more
David Banner, an engineer, professor and entrepreneur
February 10, 2010
Getting Your Business Web Site Online
Stephen Woessner, UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center
January 13, 2010
Building a Business on Your Values
Richard de Wilde, owner of Harmony Valley Farm
November 11, 2009
What Makes an Idea POP
Brad Biddick, owner of Rural Route 1 Popcorn
October 14, 2009
Cooperatives as a Business Model
Margaret Bau, USDA Rural Development Cooperative Development Specialist
September 9, 2009
Branding your Business or Product
Lois Federman, Marketing consultant for Something Special from Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
August 12, 2009
Managing Intellectual Property, Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks.
Chuck Sara, Patent Attorney with Dewitt Ross & Stevens Law Firm
July 8, 2009
Social Networking Tools and Tricks
Tim Puyleart, Business Development Manager for IEA, Inc
June 10, 2009
Turning a Product into a Business
Peter Weber, Potter's Crackers in Madison
May 13, 2009
Turning Opportunity into Success
Ivan Davis, Marketing Specialist with Output Generation
April 14, 2009
Business Etiquette for Entrepreneurs
Sue Marino, Director
The Etiquette Center, Richland Center
March 10, 2008
Step by Step Guide to Developing Your Marketing Plan
Mark Thorne
Marketing Consultant at La Crosse Sign
February 10, 2009
Understanding Taxes and Finances
Mary McEvoy, CPA, CFP in Viroqua
January 13, 2009
How to Survive as a New Business
Bob Starks and Loren Cade
Vernon Vineyards, Viroqua
December 9 and November 11, 2008
Meetings were cancelled due to weather
October 14, 2008
Licensing & Marketing: Getting Your Invention Sold
Chuck Sara, Patent Attorney
Dewitt, Ross, & Stevens in Madison
September 9, 2008
Keys to Success & Resources to Get You There
Greg Wise, UW-Extension Community Development Specialist, Madison
August 12, 2008
Using Innovation to Grow Your Business
Dave Franchino, President, Design Concepts, Madison
July 8, 2008
What Makes A Good Business Idea?
Jan Gallagher, Director
La Crosse Small Business Development Center
June 10, 2008
Meeting cancelled due to weather
May 13, 2008
Making the Right Connections for your Invention or Business
Julann Jatczak, Vice President
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The Serial Entrepreneur
Al Waller, Out of the Box Publishing
March 11, 2008
Growing your Online Business
Ivan Davis, Marketing Specialist with Output Generation
February 12, 2008
Star Valley Flowers…Sharing Their Story
John Zehrer and Phil Mueller
Star Valley Flowers, Soldiers Grove
January 8, 2008
Managing Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyrights & Trademarks
Chuck Sara, Patent Attorney
Dewitt, Ross, & Stevens in Madison
December 11, 2007
Meeting cancelled due to weather
November 13, 2007
Creating a Culture of Innovation and Networking
Terry Whipple, Executive Director
Juneau County Economic Development Corporation
October 9, 2007
Taking Risks…How to Get to Success
Jan Rasikas, General Manager of the Viroqua Food Co-op
September 11, 2007
First Meeting Kick-off
Innovation in our Economy
Greg Wise, UW-Extension Community Development Specialist, Madison
and Ten Steps to Marketing Your Product
Ivan Davis,Marketing Specialist with Output Generation