Fall is here. In a literal sense, that means the autumnal equinox took place late in the evening (about 11:02 p.m.) of September 22 - the time when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south. In simpler terms, the autumnal equinox is one of two times a year when day and night are about equal length - and since then, the nights are slowly getting longer.

For a lot of us, though, all we have to do is just take note of the chill in the air over the past few weeks (it just feels like fall), the trees exhibiting their fall colors (a beautiful time in Wisconsin) and realize that football season is in full swing (Go Packers! Go Badgers! Go local high school football team!) - Wisconsin's own "fall indicators."

For the past 20+ years, fall at Forward Wisconsin has meant that it is time for the annual Twin Cities Marketing Mission - and this year is no different with our Mission scheduled for October 17 - 19. Forward's Business Development Director Jan Alf, our new economic development consultant Paul Ehrfurth and I will be leading the trip. We'll be joined by about ten economic developers as we call on CEOs that have expressed an interest in doing business in Wisconsin.

Forward Wisconsin marketing missions are the most effective tools we have to generate business prospects and we're optimistic that our Twin Cities Marketing Mission will again provide business and job growth for Wisconsin.

Thank you for your support,

Forward Wisconsin is holding our Annual Reception and you and your guests are invited to attend. The event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24 at American Family Insurance's national headquarters on Madison's eastside.

A brief business program will take place at 5:30 p.m. and complimentary refreshments and snacks will be available. American Family Insurance is again sponsoring our Annual Reception and we appreciate their support. We ask you to please join us as we celebrate our 22nd year.

In preparation for the Twin Cities Marketing Mission, fifteen Forward Wisconsin fact sheets have been updated and one new fact sheet (Wisconsin's Business Climate) has been added to our website. The only fact sheets which have not been updated are the Illinois - Wisconsin comparative fact sheets and the industry-specific fact sheets. Both of those will be updated in the spring.

An easy way to see when fact sheets have last been updated is to scroll to the bottom of them and look below the Forward Wisconsin logo. On recently updated ones, you'll see "0906" for September 2006.

The world's largest biotechnology conference is not taking place until next spring but if you want to get in on the action then, your best opportunity to do so is right now. Forward Wisconsin will again be taking a lead coordinating role in putting together the Wisconsin exhibit pavilion and a Wisconsin reception during the conference.

BIO 2007 will take place May 6-9 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Forward Wisconsin's Jan Alf has already organized several planning meetings to discuss Wisconsin's marketing effort at BIO 2007. If you would like to get involved in Jan's advisory group, you can contact her at 262.691.7873 or via email at jalf@execpc.com.

For information on sponsorship levels and benefits, please click on the link below.