October 20, 2023

By Lane Kimble

ARBOR VITAE, Wis. — What is the single most important thing you did in the last year to make your team better?

It’s a question Mike Carr encouraged WTBA Associate Council Fall Retreat attendees to think about this week.

It’s entirely possible their answer may now be: attending this retreat.

The two-day gathering at the Red Crown Lodge in Arbor Vitae provided a wealth of information, networking, and entertainment – all under the focus of strengthening our companies.  About three-dozen people dove into workforce development, employee retention, and communication.

“What we talk about – communication – cuts across so many different industries,” Carr – who works for Lift Consulting in Madison – told WTBA after his presentation.

“When people ask great questions or people say, ‘Yeah, I understand,’ or this is a lightbulb moment for me, that’s when I get a lot of satisfaction out of training and consulting.”

The Associates spent months planning the conference, developing subcommittees to figure out specific topics and find the best presenters.

That work paid off.

Click for full Red Crown photo gallery

Speakers gave great insights into employee training and retention and then went above and beyond – expanding into realms like social media, reaching young and diverse sections of your workforce, and better understanding how people uniquely think in order to better communicate within your team.

“Without any of those things, our companies will never succeed,” Associate Council Chair Travis Wise said.  “The retreat has turned out great, I definitely have learned a lot.”

Monday’s morning session also brought an exclusive look at how Wisconsin could implement a new and impactful work zone safety model – a topic that’s paramount for WTBA member companies.

The evening’s dinner included a roundtable chat with State Senator Mary Felzkowski and State Representative Rob Swearingen.

“Steve and Elise and your team, when we see these guys in our offices, we know they’re representing WTBA,” Swearingen told the group.  “I have no problem reaching out to these guys and using them as a resource in my office if I have a question or an issue or if a bill comes up… so you should know that you guys have a great voice in the Capitol.”

The retreat also offered plenty of camaraderie and fun, with a pontoon ride, golf outing, and indoor tabletop Olympics.

Speaker Mike Carr with Lift Consulting praised the retreat and attendees for being warm, welcoming, and open with him, especially during evening receptions.

The retreat also offered plenty of camaraderie and fun, with a pontoon ride, golf outing, and indoor tabletop Olympics.

Carr (with Lift Consulting) praised the retreat and attendees for being warm, welcoming, and open with him, especially during evening receptions.

“I met some really great people, just a wonderful place to be,” Carr said.

“When you get to learn people’s styles and you get to learn more about them and you get to learn about their kids… and then you get to learn about their business… about the things that might be holding them back or what are some of the things they should put some gas on, that definitely will help with what they’re trying to do and meet their goals.”