​2025 Sponsorship Opportunities:

​SPONSORSHIP LEVEL	​PRICE	​Logo on Marketing Materials	​Logo/link on website	​Ad shared through email blasts	​Physical ads displayed during conference	​Logo on main hall PowerPoint	​Recognition during welcome presentation	​Complimentary Conference Registrations	​Exhibitor Table
GOLD	​$3000	​X	​X	3 times	​X	3 times	​X	4 tickets	​X
SILVER	​$2000	​X	​X	2 times​	​X	2 times	​X	3 tickets	X
​​NETWORKING (Sponsor provides Happy Hour Drinks through Kalahari​)	​$1000	​X	​X	​​​1 time	​X	​2 times	​-	​2 tickets	​X
​BRONZE	​ $650	​X	​X	​1 time	​-	​1 time	​X	​1 ticket	​X

To view all details of each sponsorship tier, view our Sponsorship Flyer: ​WLC Sponsor Opportunities 2025.pdf

Registration is now closed. 

Sponsorships are non-refundable.​

​2025 Exhibitor Opportunity

Showcase your products and services to a highly engaged audience of lending professionals as an event exhibitor:

Pricing: $425

Electricity: +$75​

As an exhibitor, you'll receive:

• One skirted exhibitor table inside the main conference room.
• One conference pass for your booth attendee (includes conference meals, breaks, and reception).
• Your company name listed on our event webpage.
  

Registration is now closed. 

Please note that we will accept registrations for an exhibit booth on a first-come-first serve basis until space is filled. Exhibit booths are non-refundable. 

To view all details of the exhibitor opportunity, view our Exhibitor Flyer: WLC Exhibit Opportunity 2025.pdf

​Join WBD for a SBA Fundamentals workshop, whether your new or just need a refresher. ​​

​Wednesday, May 14, 2025 |​ 1:30 - 4 p.m.

Kalahari Resort & Convention

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Registration is now closed. ​

​Must pre-register to attend. For more information on the workshop and to register, please visit the WBD workshop webpage. 

​​​

Please note: Although this workshop is scheduled the day before the Wisconsin Lenders Conference at the Kalahari, it is a separate event and separate ​registration from the Wisconsin Lenders Conference. You must pre-register for this workshop in order to attend. You do not have to be a Wisconsin Lenders Conference attendee in order to qualify to register. 

WBD will be hosting an evening reception following their SBA Fundamentals workshop. Workshop attendees, Lenders Conference attendees and anyone is welcome to attend, network, and enjoy happy hour drinks.​ 

​Wednesday, May 14, 2025 |​ 4-6 p​​​.m.

Kalahari Resort & Convention

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Registration for the reception is collected alongside the SBA Workshop registration. Please indicate on your registration that you will be attending the reception.

Start your morning early!

​The Culture Multiplier: Driving Business Growth from the Inside Out​

Prese​​​nter: ​Scott Kunes, Chief Operating Officer, Kunes Auto & RV Group​​​

Many compan​ies chase growth, but few achieve it sustainably. In this keynote, Scott Kunes discusses how Kunes Auto & RV Group's commitment to organizational health and employee well-being has led to exceptional business performance, customer satisfaction and industry leadership. Discover the direct link between organizational culture and business scalability and how investing in people, leadership development and company values can create a resilient, high-performing organization ready for long-term growth.​

A1) Updates to SOP 50 10 8 - Part 1​

This session has been updated from SOP 50 10 7.1 Updates to SOP 50 10 8. 

Presenter: James Keig,​ Attorney at law, Jellum Law, P.A.

                  Spring Nelson, Attorney at law, Jellum Law, P.A.

Join us for this two part series as we delve deeper into a discussion regarding revisions affecting SBA loan originations in the new SOP 50 10 8. ​

B1) Considerations of Using SBA 7a Loans for Construction 

Prese​nter: Ryan Black, ​​Vice President of SBA Lending, First Business Bank

                   Andrew Hendricks, ​​First Business Bank​

This session will discuss best practices for approving, closing and disbursing SBA 7a construction and leasehold improvement loans for borrowers. ​​

C1) Support Your SME's Ability to Get Access to Working Capital

Present​​er: Keith Schlegel, Export Finance Manager, Office of International Trade, SBA

Explore ways the SBA Office of Interational Trade can provide increased opportunities for SME's to gain access to capital to sustain growth & support for larger orders through our Export & Working Capital Finance Programs.​

​D1) Stop Selling, Start Solving: A Client-Centric Approach to Banking Success

Presenter: Dan Truehl, Director of Training, LIFT Consulting

Shift from a traditional sales mindset to a client-centric approach that prioritizes understanding client needs, building trust, and fostering long-term relationships. Learn how to ask the right questions, qualify prospects effectively, and create win-win outcomes that drive lasting success in banking.​

A2) SOP 50 57 3.1 Update

Presen​​ter: Lindsay Cremona, Attorney at law​, Jellum Law, P.A.

A discussion regarding relevant changes affecting SBA loan servicing and liquidations in the new SOP 50 57 3.1.​​​

B2) 504 Loan Program

P​​resenter: Kyle Kuntz, Vice President, Loan Officer, Northeast WI Team Lead, WBD

                   Wesley Walsh, Vice President & Loan Officer, Business Lender Partners (BLP)​

C2) Taming Chaos: Your Competitive Edge

Presenter: Kate Halfwassen, Owner, MKE Business Coach

                   Lorry Rifkin, CPA, We Tame Your Chaos

                   Gregory Fritsch, Managing Director, Fritsch Consulting, LLC​

Success in banking goes beyond transactions—it’s about building trust, credibility, and long-term relationships. Lorry Rifkin will help you identify and manage chaos, ensuring you stay ahead of challenges. Kate Halfwassen will share her experiences from the client side of the banking relationship, offering key do’s and don’ts to help you better understand your clients’ perspectives. Greg Fritsch will dive into the personal side of banking, emphasizing that your career is yours alone to shape. From internal credibility and bonus incentives to promotion materials and long-term career growth, this session will reinforce a simple truth: banking is a people business, and if you don’t care, you’re in the wrong industry.

​D2) SBA Loan Servicing...The Most Important Things in Servicing Your SBA loans

Presen​ter: John Gossett​​

How to be efficient and timely in servicing your SBA loan portfolio and avoid bills from the SBA.

A3) Updates to SOP 50 10 8 - Part 2

This session has been updated from OCRM 101 to SOP 50 10 8. 

Presenter: James Keig,​ Attorney at law, Jellum Law, P.A.

                  Spring Nelson, Attorney at law, Jellum Law, P.A.

Join us for this two part series as we delve deeper into a discussion regarding revisions affecting SBA loan originations in the new SOP 50 10 8. ​

B3) 504 Case Studies

Presenter: Kyle Kuntz, Vice President, Loan Officer, Northeast WI Team Lead​, WBD

                   Wesley Walsh, Vice President & Loan Officer, Business Lender Partners (BLP)

                   Rob Wyman, Vice President, Business Banking Officer, Incredible Bank

                   Robert Pieroni, EVP & Chief Lending Officer, Community State Bank​​​

Take an in-depth look at the SBA 504 loan program in action and hear real-life stories from the perspective of both the Certified Development Company (WBD & BLP) and the Participating Lender. Joining this year's session again will be two commercial lenders whom are both actively involved in offering the SBA 504 financing solution to their customers. This session will incorporate several case studies based on actual projects, including financing equipment, real estate purchase, new construction, business acquisition, and refinance with cash out. ​​

C3) Protect the Deal. Navigate Environmental Risk. ​

This session has been updated from Rual Development to Protect the Deal. Navigate Environmental Risk. ​

Prese​​nter: Chris Valcheff, Vice President, True North Consultants​

The SBA has a well-defi​ned and detailed, tiered approach for identifying environmental risks at properties and for obtaining concurrence from the SBA.  However, the process is geared to specific concerns and not all environmental risks are identified by the SBA process.  We’ll explore the SBA SOP process and identify potential “other” environmental risks at properties that aren’t always identified under the SBA’s SOP.  Protect yourself from these “other” risks and learn what questions to ask so that you can better prevent risks from derailing your projects.​

​D3) How To Communicate Effectively With the Different Generations

Presenter: Janet Dery; Esquire, Starfield & Smith, P.C.​​​​

Please join me for a discussion on the differences in values and communication styles for Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z that can lead you to better communication with others.​​​

Take a break with our snack option and visit with exhibitors!

A4) Investing In Influence: Minor Shifts, Major Returns

Presenter: Suzanne Sherry, MBA Representing the Center for Professional Development at the UW School of Business​ 

In this session, participants will discover how small shifts in behavior and mindset can unlock powerful returns through the art of influence. Attendees will enhance their influence skills by learning how to build and strengthen authentic partnerships, invest in relationships, and cultivate trust. Key topics include leveraging influence by being open to being influenced, and aligning with the goals of managers and partners. These minor shifts in influence will transform interactions, foster collaboration, and drive both personal leadership growth and impactful business outcomes.​

B4) The Essentials of Financial Analysis

Presenter: Jos​​eph Hastreiter, Business Coach, EWH University for Small Business

Looking for a overview of how to analyze financial statements? In this session, The Essentials of Financial Analysis, you will receive insight into the fundamentals of knowing how to tell how predictable and consistent the earnings and cash flow of a business are! Understand the 3 Main Financial Statements How to review key performance indicators Spot trends and relationships with ease The difference between cash, profit and EBITDA Understand Cash Flow A to Z Ask even better questions to prospective borrowers Know how to better anticipate and answer questions from loan committee Be an even better-trusted advisor for your clients and team!
​

C4) Commercial Lending in Tribal Communities

Presenter: Jeff Bowman, President & CEO, Bay Bank 

As a tribally-owned bank, Bay Bank specializes in providing access to credit in tribal communities. In this session, Jeff will discuss what credit needs are present in tribal communities and what type of lending products work best.​​

​D4) Bridging the Gap: Transforming Strategic Plans into Real-World Success 

Pres​​enter: Dan Truehl​, Director of Training, LIFT Consulting​

2025 Special Lodging Rates at the Kalahari

A block of rooms is available at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center. Reservations should be made online to avoid excessive wait times and resort fees. 

Special rates:

• Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - $119/night
  
• Thursday, May 15, 2025 - $119/night​

Trappers Turn is offering discounted rates for conference attendees again this year!

• ​Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - $59 (4 p.m. and after)​
  
• Thursday, May 15, 2025 - $85
  
• Friday, May 16, 2025 - $125​
  

UWSP Continuing Education works hard to communicate all special meal requests and allergies to the conference venue. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we cannot guarantee all special dietary needs can be met. If you have specific dietary needs (i.e., kosher, low salt, low carb, keto, etc.), you may wish to make alternative meal arrangements. 

Meal tickets for dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free can be accomodated at the Kalahari.

Conference fees cannot be adjusted due to special dietary needs. ​​