Madison, Wisconsin Officials Welcome Delegation From Greater Lexington

Leadership Visit participants at the Pyle Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin - Madison. (Photo by Bill Straus Photography)

​Commerce Lexington’s Leadership Visit trip to Madison, Wisconsin (May 14-16) presented by Central Bank & Trust Co. included a delegation of 160-plus regional business, education, government, and nonprofit leaders. The group kicked off the agenda on May 14 at The Pyle Center Alumni Lounge on the campus of the University of Wisconsin - Madison. After a brief welcome, the delegation heard from Jason Ilstrup, President of Downtown Madison Inc., Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.  Day one sessions concluded with a higher education discussion featuring University of Kentucky President Dr. Eli Capilouto and Dr. Jennifer Mnookin, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Day two provided a look at the Greater Madison Chamber’s talent attraction initiative called Be Madison, the tourism industry with representatives from Lexington and Madison, and how the region is confronting its housing challenges. Later that afternoon, participants experienced Madison through a variety of elective tours featuring the downtown area, an eBike tour, an engagement lunch at The Coopers Tavern, the Wisconsin State Capitol, a visit to the Epic campus in Verona, and a tour of the Black Business Hub. 

The final day included sessions with Madison Chamber President and CEO, Zach Brandon, and Kurt Bauer, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, followed by a moderated session to help the group reflect on their experience and harness ideas from the trip.

Photos by Bill Straus Photography