Make48 is coming to UW-Stout from July 31-Aug. 2 for the final Regional Playoff event of Season 10. Make48 is a fast-paced invention competition where teams have just 48 hours to come up with an idea, build a working prototype, and pitch it to judges, all based on a real-world challenge from a sponsoring company.
The event will take place at the UW-Stout Fab Lab. A social will be held from 3-5 pm on Saturday, Aug. 1. Meet with the teams and network with others. Drinks and hors d-oeuvres will be served. Registration is required.
Registration is now OPEN for the Fourth Annual Tossing for Inclusion Bag Toss Tournament and Fundraiser!
Join us on Wednesday, August 19, at GameDay Sports Bar in Appleton for an inclusive bag toss tournament and fundraiser that brings our community together in the spirit of fun, connection, and friendly competition.
Whether you’re tossing for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, this event is all about celebrating inclusion and making an impact. Proceeds from Tossing for Inclusion directly support our community programs, empowering over 2,000 individuals with disabilities and disadvantages throughout the Fox Cities and surrounding areas.
Casual and competitive brackets available
Great for friends, coworkers, families, and teams of all abilities
A meaningful way to support inclusive programs while having fun
Round up your teammate and get in the game—spots are limited!
The Swing Big with GBIG was an outstanding success in 2026. We had 215 golfers and 63 Hole-Sponsors with just under three hundred attendees.
We want to thank First Business Bank as the Major Sponsor for the event.
We want to thank Steve Van Dyke, Joan Koehne – Packerland Websites, Caity Wilhelm – Membership Director of GBIG, AJ Buran, Cassie Diedrick & Nicole Onesti – Women in the 5P Industries, VARC, Apricity, and ALL the other volunteers to make this an extraordinarily successful outing.
We will be donating the profits from the event to:
Apricity
Einstein Project
EPH
St. John’s Shelter/Ministries
Trees for Tomorrow
University of Wisconsin-Madison
VARC
Women in the 5P Industries
We thank Amundsen Davis for raising $525.00 at their hole with the marshmallow drive. Congratulations to the winners: Andrew Maus in the men’s division and Corey Snyder of Stora Enso in the women’s division.
Sign up for the Driven by Partnerships an appreciation reception at The Automobile Gallery event on Thursday, June 25, from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. sponsored by Amundsen Davis.
The Green Bay Innovation Group Foundation thanks all golfers and hole sponsors for supporting Swing Big with GBIG Golf Outing. Proceeds from the event will be donated to six outstanding nonprofits that support our communities and education.
We have attached a list of the companies participating in the golf outing. Please review it to confirm whether you are listed! The event is close to being sold out. At check-in, please go to the pro shop and provide your company name. In cases, we have arranged foursomes for players to join, as noted on the attached list. Mid Vallee will assign carts.
I have attached for the hole sponsors assigned a hole identified as the White, Red, Blue, and a number. Pick up a map at the Pro Shop to help you find your hole. We ask that you bring your own table, chairs, tents, etc. We will have the signs set up around 8:30 a.m. and tee off is at 9:30 a.m. Mid Vallee and volunteers will be able to provide transportation.
Finally, we have a FREE NETORKING event starting at 3:00 p.m. for guests. We are expecting close to three hundred people at the event. Bring your business cards too!
Thank You, Marty Ochs Green Bay Innovation Group Foundation 608-698-3333
Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry came together for a two-day summit on June 1 and 2 at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay. The Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit attracted academic and industry leaders who talked about the challenges and opportunities manufacturing companies face today. The UW-Madison Grainger Institute of Engineering organized the event, and Green Bay Innovation Group signed on as a co-sponsor. Nearly 700 people registered for the summit.
Rockwell Automation: The Next Era in Manufacturing
Bob Buttermore, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer of Rockwell Automation, told the audience that we create a stronger Wisconsin together. “We need to work together across the organization as one team to drive innovation,” he said. Manufacturing is a key economic generator in Wisconsin. “Manufacturing has been a heart of our communities,” he said. “What you do in this room matters.”
Bob said it’s an exciting time to work in manufacturing, especially with technology transforming the industry. Today’s manufacturers deal with market disruption and volatility, driving the industry to rewire the global supply chains. AI automation is revolutionizing the supply chain, giving the industry opportunities to combat the shortage of labor and transform manufacturing in the U.S. As a result, manufacturers can provide a better customer experience and still remain competitive.
“Transformation has to happen with ROI,” Bob said. He challenged manufacturers of small, medium and large manufacturing companies to empower their workforce. “Perform and deliver for your customers every single day,” he said.
Integrating Automation, Robotics and AI
Bob spoke about world-class manufacturing facilities in Singapore and how Rockwell Automation is bringing this advanced technology to the company’s Wisconsin facilities. The Singapore site uses automation, robotics and AI extensively. He described four ways to optimize end-to-end processes across the supply chain.
The Singapore facility used a digital twin, a virtual replica of a physical asset.
The facility automated some processes that it had never automated before. Innovative use of robotics decreased labor by 33%.
The facility also reduced its carbon footprint with the aid of energy management software.
AI-integrated training programs made training 67% faster. Technicians learned to troubleshoot and repair systems in 4 months instead of 9-12 months.
Developing a Highly Skilled Workforce
In addition to developing technology, Bob emphasized the importance of developing people. “Technology is driven by people,” he said. He also recommended redundancy, advising manufacturers to build the same product in two different locations to maintain a resilient supply side. Tight cyber security protections were another recommendation. He also promoted disciplined innovation, advising manufacturers to come up with one or two use cases, then develop and scale. He spoke about partnering with schools, government agencies, and other organizations to attract more people to the manufacturing industry. The future of manufacturing depends on a skilled workforce.
The Rockwell Automation presentation was one of dozens of presentations focusing on the next era in manufacturing.
Green Bay Innovation Group took its place among the leaders of Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry at Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on June 1 and 2. Nearly 700 people attended the vent which featured keynote speakers, break-out sessions, networking opportunities, and expo booths. GBIG co sponsored the event, organized by the UW-Madison Grainger Institute of Engineering. GBIG board members interacted with Summit participants in the Lambeau Field Atrium, exchanging information about GBIG and other topics related to manufacturing.
Marty Ochs, GBIG Executive Director, said the Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit was in a class all its own. “I’ve never seen a manufacturing event this impressive. The summit brought manufacturing and education together, with world-class presenters and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies,” he said. “We had a tremendous opportunity for learning and networking at an exceptional venue, Lambeau Field.”
Wisdom from the Harley-Davidson CEO
Artie Starrs, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, presented the first keynote address on June 2. Drawing from his experience at the Wisconsin-based motorcycle company, Arnie encouraged attendees to understand their customers’ needs. “Do your best to walk in the shoes of your customers,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining brand integrity. Everyone working at a Harley dealership wears the company logo on their shirt. “It was a powerful statement,” Artie said.
Artie described the company’s humble beginnings in a 10 X 15-foot shed in Milwaukee to its rise as an international icon. People can see a replica of the shed at the Harley-Davidson Museum where William Harvey and Arthur Davidson designed their first motorcycle in 1903.
William and Arthur built their first factory in 1907 with the help of a $170 loan. Just 17 employees worked at Factory No. 1, and the company quickly took off. In 1913, the young company built and sold more than 17,000 motorcycles. In 1963, Harley-Davidson opened a manufacturing facility in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. It became the sole supplier of body work, with the level of craftsmanship only Harley-Davidson can achieve. Meanwhile, the world-class manufacturing facility in Milwaukee continually adapted over the decades, thanks to its highly skilled workforce.
The iconic motorcycle, designed by engineers in Wisconsin, is one of the state’s most well-known brands. Plus, Harley owners are one of the most loyal groups of riders. “We see this all around the world, people who have tattooed this brand (on their arms),” Artie said.
Harley-Davidson is a Wisconsin manufacturing success story, one of many successes showcased at the Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit.
The Swing Big with GBIG Golf Outing is filling up fast. We have 160 golfers signed up with room for 216 with just fifty-six spots still available. This is a SELL-OUT Event so please REGISTER NOW! We have 49-hole sponsors signed up with sixty available for you! We do have a FREE Networking event starting at 3:00 p.m. so register so we can get a count for planning purposes!
Golf Outing Schedule for June 18:
8:30 a.m. Registration
9:15 a.m. Instructions
9:30 a.m. Shotgun Start
3 p.m. Awards and Socializing
Mid Vallee Golf Course, 3850 Mid Valley Drive, De Pere, Wisconsin.
Go to: greenbayinnovationgroup.com/events/ to sign up to golf, sponsor, and attend Swing Big with GBIG. We are expecting close to three hundred people to attend.
Sign Up Today to Participate in Manufacturing Summit
If your goal is to lead, not to follow, then register today for the Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit June 1-2 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay. The Summit brings together manufacturers, innovators, researchers, and technology leaders to tackle the challenges shaping the future of American manufacturing. View the agenda, speakers, and speaker profiles on the Summit’s website.
Day 1 (Monday, June 1) features an Innovation Showcase from 3-6 p.m. Day 2 (Tuesday, June 2) features keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This isn’t a conference you attend; it’s a platform you work within. GBIG is proud to co-sponsor this event and encourages GBIG members to register.
The Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit brings together manufacturers, innovators, researchers, and technology leaders to tackle the challenges shaping the future of American manufacturing. This isn’t a conference you attend; it’s a platform you work within. The summit takes place June 1-2 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay. GBIG is co-sponsoring this event.
GBIG pledged its support because we believe in providing opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration. As a business-to-business consortium, we understand the importance of relationships in the business world. By interacting with powerful allies, companies set themselves up for success. Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing opens the door to building relationships in the 5P Industries (Paper, Pulp, Plastics, Printing, Packaging) and Converting.
The summit also brings together some of the best minds in manufacturing. We’ll learn from industry experts as they share strategies to improve operations and solve industry challenges.
The Manufacturing Summit drives innovation forward with featured topics including:
Technology adoption and workforce needs
Upskilling for industry 4.0
Navigating the PFAS pivot in manufacturing
A manufacturer’s guide to the bio-health ecosystem
See you at the Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit June 1-2 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay.
Register today for Swing Big With GBIG, a golf outing sponsored by the Green Bay Innovation Group and First Business Bank.
Swing Big with GBIG is a 4-person scramble on Thursday, June 17, at Mid Vallee Golf Course, 3850 Mid Valley Drive, De Pere, Wisconsin. The golf outing starts with registration at 8:30 a.m. and ends with a FREE NETWORKING event at 3:00 p.m. Join us for a day of golf and camaraderie for a worthy cause. The golf outing raises money to support local food pantries and nonprofit organizations.
In addition to golf, we will have raffles and contests on the course. Try your luck at sinking a hole-in-one to win $10,000 from contest sponsor Packerland Websites.
Swing Big with GBIG offers opportunities to promote your organization by sponsoring a hole ($300) or donating raffle items. Hole sponsors can register at the GBIG Events webpage. Email a high-resolution logo to Marty Ochs at martinpochs@gmail.com to make signs for you!
Golf Outing Schedule for June 17
8:30 a.m. Registration
9:15 a.m. Instructions
9:30 a.m. Shotgun Start
3 p.m. Awards starting and Socializing
Registration Information
Registration includes 18 holes of golf with cart, two drink tickets, and lunch on the course.
Single player: $150
Foursome: $600
Hole Sponsor: $300
Do not miss out! The registration deadline is June 4 for the June 17 outing. We have room for 216 golfers, and we sold out last year. Let us make this golf outing a tremendous success. GBIG is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization, and all of the profit goes right back to the community to support local charities. Sign up today as a golfer or hole sponsor.
Bringing Green Bay Companies Together. Green Bay Innovation Group is committed to building an authentic networking experience where innovation can thrive.
