Waukesha County Business Alliance

What Waukesha County Business Alliance does

The Waukesha County Business Alliance (WCBA) is a private, member-driven 501(c)(6) nonprofit chamber of commerce founded in 1918 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It represents approximately 1,200 member organizations ranging from sole proprietorships to some of the largest employers in the region, collectively representing more than 120,000 employees across all 27 municipalities in Waukesha County. The organization operates under four strategic pillars: Advocate, Develop, Engage, and Grow, and delivers advocacy, workforce development, economic development, and education programming. It runs a portfolio of events and cohort-based leadership programs including Leadership Waukesha County, Leadership Waukesha County 2.0, CEO Roundtables, Professional Women's Development Network, and the Young Professionals of Waukesha County initiative, as well as annual awards programs (Waukesha County Awards, Business of the Year, Don Richards Leadership Award, Emerging Leaders, Business Education Award). A wholly-owned subsidiary, Waukesha County Center for Growth, Inc., created in May 2016 in partnership with Waukesha County, the City of Waukesha, and UW-SBDC, handles business expansion and relocation inquiries.

WCBA's revenue model is built on four streams: annual membership dues (tiered by organization size, billed annually), event sponsorships and advertising (with named sponsors including Ixonia Bank, GE HealthCare, Generac, and Waukesha State Bank), conference room rental (Chortek Training Center at $300/day, Sikich Conference Room at $150/day, with half-day rates and technology surcharges), and event registration fees (e.g., $50 per person for Professional Women's Development Network breakfasts). Distribution occurs through a members-only portal (members.waukesha.org), a public website (waukesha.org), email newsletters, social channels, and direct membership sales. The organization does not develop or sell technology products; its technology footprint is limited to standard web infrastructure, the GrowthZone event registration platform, Zoom-integrated conference rooms, and consumption of third-party labor market data from Lightcast for its 2025 Waukesha County Business Survey.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of regional business leaders from companies including Generac, Husco International, Eaton, ProHealth Care, We Energies, Quad, Milwaukee Tool, National Exchange Bank & Trust, DeWitt LLP, and Riley Construction, with ex-officio representation from Carroll University, UW-Milwaukee, Waukesha County Technical College, the School District of Waukesha, and the Waukesha County Executive's Office. Amanda Payne serves as President & CEO as of 2026, leading an 11-person staff that includes senior vice presidents for Membership, PR & Marketing, and Finance & Operations, and vice presidents for Public Policy and Talent & Workforce.

Name

Waukesha County Business Alliance

Legal name

Waukesha County Business Alliance

Website

https://waukesha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Waukesha County Business Alliance is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit chamber of commerce founded in 1918, serving 1,200 member organizations representing 120,000+ employees across Waukesha County, Wisconsin through advocacy, workforce development, economic development, and education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Waukesha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from business organizations of varying sizes, from sole proprietorships to large employers. Membership provides access to advocacy, workforce development, networking events, and other programs.
2. Sponsorships and Advertising: Marketing and sponsorship opportunities for members to increase visibility in Waukesha County, including event sponsorships and advertising placements.
3. Conference Room Rental: Rental fees for conference rooms including Chortek Training Center and Sikich Conference Room, available to members and non-members.
4. Event Registration Fees: Fees for various events and programs including Leadership Waukesha County, Professional Women's Development Network, CEO Roundtables, and other professional development programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Waukesha County Business Alliance operates as a member-driven chamber of commerce and business association serving Waukesha County, Wisconsin. It sells annual business memberships and delivers advocacy, workforce development, economic development, and education programs, alongside networking events, leadership programs, recognition awards, conference room rentals, and sponsorship/advertising opportunities.

Product overview

Waukesha County Business Alliance operates as a member-driven chamber of commerce organization offering a portfolio of programs and services organized around four strategic pillars: Advocacy, Workforce Development, Economic Development, and Education Programs. The core offerings include membership programs with various networking and professional development events such as the Annual Meeting, Professional Women's Development Network, and CEO Roundtables; leadership development programs including Leadership Waukesha County and Leadership Waukesha County 2.0; and award programs recognizing business excellence (Waukesha County Awards, Business of the Year, Emerging Leaders, Business Education Award). Additional services include conference room rentals, sponsorships and advertising opportunities, and Accelerate Waukesha County, a quarterly digital publication. The organization functions as a traditional membership association rather than a technology platform, with no SaaS product components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programs Annual business memberships providing advocacy, workforce development, economic development, and education programs to member businesses of all sizes in Waukesha County.
• Leadership Waukesha County Cohort-based leadership development program cultivating emerging leaders in the Waukesha County business community through training and networking.
• Leadership Waukesha County 2.0 Advanced leadership development program for alumni of Leadership Waukesha County, providing continued leadership growth opportunities.
• Professional Women's Development Network Networking and professional development program connecting women leaders in Waukesha County through monthly breakfast events and peer learning.
• CEO Roundtables Confidential peer advisory groups for business owners and CEOs, facilitated by ActionCOACH Business Coaching, meeting monthly to share best practices and address business challenges.
• Accelerate Waukesha County Quarterly digital publication providing news, insights, and updates on business trends, economic development, and member spotlights for the Waukesha County business community.
• Conference Room Rental Rental service offering two conference spaces — the Chortek Training Center (capacity up to 70) and Sikich Conference Room (capacity up to 36) — with audio-visual capabilities and Zoom integration, available to members and non-members.
• Sponsorships & Advertising Marketing and sponsorship opportunities allowing members to increase visibility in Waukesha County through event sponsorships and advertising placements.
• Waukesha County Awards Annual awards program recognizing top-performing businesses and nonprofits in partnership with Waukesha County and the Waukesha County Center for Growth.
• Business of the Year Award Annual award program recognizing top-performing businesses in Waukesha County for excellence in financial growth, economic impact, community service, and business practices.
• Emerging Leaders of Waukesha County Award program recognizing rising professionals age 45 and under who demonstrate initiative, leadership, and commitment to their organizations and communities.
• Business Education Award Annual award recognizing businesses that demonstrate excellence in engaging with K-12 and higher education partners through internships, mentoring, and workforce development programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200 member organizations representing more than 120,000 employees
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carroll UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership for education and workforce development initiatives. Dr. Cindy Gnadinger serves as Ex-Officio on the Board of Directors. Collaborates on workforce surveys and business education programs.
• Waukesha CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Strategic partnership with Waukesha County government for economic development initiatives. Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow co-chairs various initiatives with the Alliance. The county and Alliance partner on Waukesha County Awards recognizing top businesses and nonprofits.
• Waukesha County Center for GrowthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016The Alliance created the Waukesha County Center for Growth, Inc. in May 2016 as a joint effort with Waukesha County, the City of Waukesha, and UW-SBDC. The Center serves as the central point of contact for businesses looking to expand or relocate to Waukesha County.
• City of WaukeshacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership agreement signed in May 2016 as part of creating the Waukesha County Center for Growth. The city collaborates on economic development initiatives.
• University of Wisconsin-Small Business Development Center (UW-SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership agreement signed in May 2016 as part of creating the Waukesha County Center for Growth. Provides small business development resources.
• University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for workforce development. Dr. Thomas Gibson (Chancellor) serves as Ex-Officio on the Board of Directors. Collaborates on talent pipeline initiatives.
• Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey educational partner for workforce development and technical training. Dr. Rich Barnhouse serves as Ex-Officio on the Board. Collaborates on Schools2Skills programs, Mechatronics Apprenticeship Program, and Discover Health Care Expo.
• School District of WaukeshacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for K-12 workforce initiatives. Dr. James Sebert (Superintendent) serves as Ex-Officio on the Board. Collaborates on career pathway programs.
• Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington (WOW) Workforce Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional workforce development partnership addressing labor market needs and talent pipeline issues across the WOW region.
• Ixonia BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Professional Women's Development Network Breakfast event.
• GE HealthCareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for Professional Women's Development Network Breakfast event.
• Generac Power SystemsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor for Professional Women's Development Network Breakfast event.
• Waukesha State BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor for Professional Women's Development Network Breakfast event.
• ActionCOACH Business CoachingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMike Thompson and Chris Carman facilitate CEO Roundtable discussions, bringing over 10 years of experience in business coaching and executive facilitation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Brookfield Chamber of Commerce: City-level chamber operating within Waukesha County. Competes for member businesses in Brookfield specifically, and represents a structural risk of fragmentation within WCBA's own territory.

Direct peers

• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC): Regional chamber covering the Milwaukee metro area. Most direct competitor on advocacy, workforce development, and member services for companies operating in Waukesha County that also have a Milwaukee presence.
• Greater Milwaukee Committee: Civic and business leadership organization focused on economic development and regional competitiveness in the Milwaukee area. Comparable on advocacy and convening senior executives around regional issues affecting WCBA's member footprint.

Peers

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

Broad incumbents

• Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC): Wisconsin's statewide chamber of commerce and manufacturers' association. Competes with WCBA for member mindshare and advocacy representation at the state level, but serves a much broader geography and industry mix.

Others

• Waukesha County Center for Growth: Wholly-owned subsidiary of WCBA focused on business attraction and expansion. Listed here to flag that economic development services are organizationally distinct within the WCBA structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waukesha-county-chamber-of-commerce
• Xx.com/wcbizalliance
• Facebookfacebook.com/WCBizAlliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waukesha County Business Alliance