The Best of Us

As many do this time of year, The Wisconsin 100 team is reflecting on the past year. From our inaugural issue in January focused on debuts to our Thankful Issue in November, we have enjoyed chronicling life and business around the state.

Wisconsin is a state of morning people. Not the peppy kind, but the hard-working, passionate variety that wake up each day on a mission. The industries that call the state home use mornings to get a head start on the day, connect with people they serve and prepare to succeed.

What’s not to love about Halloween? From the costumes to the candy, to haunted houses, corn mazes, pumpkin carving and hay rides, there is something for everyone. This coveted holiday is anticipated by both the old and the young at heart, and Wisconsin does it right, whether you prefer a day of family fun on the farm or a night of heart-pounding fear.

Dining in Wisconsin means experiencing the intersection of timeless comfort and experimental flavor. As the state’s culinary landscape evolves, our beloved cheese curds become dearer to us while James Beard Award nominated chefs continue to put Wisconsin on the map.

Summer is a time for relaxing with family and close friends. Although many individuals remain hard at work, there is almost nothing better than retreating to the family cottage or finding some spot of sun-kissed sand.

Interns are a subtle component to any thriving organization. Whether responsibilities vary from seemingly insignificant coffee runs to drafting an extensive communications deck for a central client, interns are always seeking insightful opportunities on the job.

Wisconsinites know that weather conditions rarely stop us from enjoying our favorite outdoor activities. We plunge into Lake Michigan on the coldest of January days, and we bike over hill and dale in the blazing sun or through wind and rain. But when summer brings optimal conditions, breathtaking scenery and some well-deserved R & R, we don’t want to waste a moment of it.

Along with enjoying the outdoors during our summers in Wisconsin, the season is also busy in the world of home renovations, remodeling and working to cross tasks off the do-it-yourself project lists we all have.

With the number of bands, festivals and related academic programs in our state, Wisconsin has lots to offer on the music front. For some of us of a certain vintage, growing up here meant believing that music can not only entertain, but also change your life.

More homes were bought and sold in Wisconsin in 2017 than any other year in the last decade, and the state’s real estate market is off to a strong start in 2018, with the busiest season still ahead.

In researching this issue of The Wisconsin 100, we quickly realized sustainability isn’t a topic that’s easily wrangled into 100-word articles. From reducing reliance on precious natural resources to finding new ways to reuse waste, to opening up new areas of study for the next stewards of the planet, Wisconsin is wholly invested in the many facets of sustainability.

Wisconsin is fortunate to have two Great Lakes, the mighty Mississippi and some 15,000 lakes and 12,000 rivers and streams within our boundaries. Water has always been part of our identity and our economic DNA — playing a key role in the shipping, manufacturing and recreation economies of our state, past and present.

If a rising tide lifts all boats, the sports industry in Wisconsin helps ensure that the tide is always, and most certainly, in. This issue showcases sports organizations, events and personalities that drive us forward.

The past decade saw an explosion of interest and investment in emotional intelligence, something once dismissed by organizations as an unserious distraction from the primary goal of building shareholder value.

Welcome back to The Wisconsin 100! In this issue, you’ll find success stories about the state’s economy — and we’ve got to admit they weren’t all that hard to find.

Midwestern hospitality takes on new meaning in Wisconsin with the surge in hotel development in Milwaukee and statewide, a certain indicator of economic growth.

We love Wisconsin! Our people, places and companies are an infinite source of fun and discovery. We’ve created The Wisconsin 100 to spotlight the things driving us forward. Using 100 words (or 100 seconds of video), these snapshots provide insights into the places where Wisconsin business and lifestyle intersect.