Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter Of The Association For Talent Development

What Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter Of The Association For Talent Development does

Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the Association for Talent Development (SEWI ATD) is a regional non-profit professional membership association and one of the founding chapters of the national Association for Talent Development, established in 1944 and based in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. The chapter serves talent development, learning and development, and HR professionals across southeastern Wisconsin, providing continuing education, networking, and professional credentialing support through 20+ annual events, workshops, and programming.

The chapter operates a tiered membership model combining individual professional memberships and organizational memberships (four tiers ranging from approximately $500 to $3,500 annually), with the largest organizational relationships at Northwestern Mutual (106+ linked members), Kohl's, Children's Wisconsin, West Bend, and Landmark Credit Union. Its technology backbone is the Wild Apricot association management platform, which handles member records, event registration, dues billing, and a consultant directory. Revenue is generated from membership dues, event registration fees, corporate sponsorships across four tiers (Bronze $1,000 to Platinum $3,500), and ancillary directory listings.

The chapter is governed by a volunteer board of directors with day-to-day operations supported by contracted association managers, and has historically operated with 1-10 staff equivalent roles. Membership reached 450+ individual members in 2024, the largest in chapter history, representing 20% year-over-year growth, supported by 1,300+ event registrants and recognized through repeated ATD excellence awards including CARE Plus in 2025.

Name

Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter Of The Association For Talent Development

Legal name

Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the Association for Talent Development

Website

https://sewi-atd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of ATD is a non-profit professional membership association serving 450+ talent development and L&D professionals in southeastern Wisconsin through education, networking events, and corporate sponsorship programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees including individual memberships, joint memberships with ATD National (Power Membership), and organizational memberships at various tier levels (Tier 2-5 based on company size)
2. Event Registration Fees: Fees for professional development programs, PDN meetings, special events, and conferences. Member and non-member pricing varies; student discounts available.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsorships at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 annually, providing logo visibility, event benefits, and marketing exposure
4. Consultant Directory Listing: $100 annual listing fee for independent talent development consultants to advertise services in the chapter's Consultant Directory

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SEWI-ATD is a nonprofit professional membership association that sells annual individual, organizational, and joint memberships to talent development practitioners in southeastern Wisconsin. Members gain access to monthly professional development programs, four Professional Development Networks (PDNs) covering Talent Development, Training Delivery, Performance Improvement, and Instructional Design, the Annual Talent Development Forum, a Consultant Directory, a Job Center, and continuing education credits. The chapter also generates revenue through event registration fees and tiered corporate sponsorship packages.

Product overview

SEWI-ATD is a professional membership organization for talent development professionals in southeastern Wisconsin. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of programs and services centered around its membership tiers (Individual, Joint/ATD National, Organizational, and Student), Professional Development Networks (PDNs) focused on Talent Development, Training Delivery, Performance Improvement, and Instructional Design, an annual Talent Development Forum, a Consultant Directory connecting members with independent practitioners, a Job Center for career opportunities, and member communications including the SEWI-ATD NOW newsletter and Book Reviews. The organization hosts over 20 annual learning and networking events including programs, PDN meetings, Coffee Talks, and Summer Socials. Sponsorship opportunities at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels provide visibility for corporate partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Annual local chapter membership granting access to SEWI-ATD events, PDNs, networking, and member-only resources for individual talent development professionals.
• Power Membership (Joint with ATD National) Combined annual membership providing world-class industry research, toolkits, experts, and certification resources from ATD National together with SEWI-ATD local community, networking, and programming.
• Organizational Membership Tiered annual company-wide membership packages providing a defined number of linked employees full chapter access, designed for HR and L&D departments that want professional development resources for their entire team.
• Professional Development Programs (Monthly Programs and Coffee Talks) Recurring monthly and special professional development programs delivered as in-person and virtual events for SEWI-ATD members and non-members, often eligible for continuing education credits.
• Professional Development Networks (PDNs) Four ongoing PDN communities that meet regularly to share knowledge and best practices within their specialized focus area, available to SEWI-ATD members.
• Annual Talent Development Forum Signature annual chapter conference featuring panel discussions, workshops, and networking for talent development professionals across southeastern Wisconsin, supported by corporate sponsors.
• Consultant Directory Listing Annual paid listing subscription for independent talent development consultants, coaches, and instructional designers to advertise services within the chapter's public Consultant Directory.
• Job Center Online job board hosted on the SEWI-ATD website that connects talent development professionals with career opportunities posted by regional employers.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Annual corporate sponsorship packages at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers that provide corporate partners logo visibility, event benefits, mailing-list access, and thought-leadership opportunities with the SEWI-ATD audience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 450+ members representing largest chapter membership in history
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSEWI-ATD members receive member-only access to all MMAC benefits including Fuel Milwaukee, The Business Council, The Talent Partnership, and Milwaukee 7 Partnership. Members can register with 'Southeastern Wisconsin Association for Talent Development' as their organization to access MMAC events and resources. This partnership extends chapter value by connecting members to broader regional business community resources.
• Wisconsin ATD Chapters PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programming partnership established with Madison ATD and Northeast Wisconsin ATD chapters. Held two successful joint events with over 150 registrants, expanding regional reach and providing broader professional development opportunities across Wisconsin.
• NAAAHR (National Association of African Americans in HR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established as part of the chapter's diversity and inclusion strategy to broaden community connections and professional development resources.
• United WayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with United Way including Speakers Bureau collaboration to help volunteers develop presentation skills. SEWI-ATD logo featured on United Way billboard. Storytelling and coaching sessions conducted with increased chapter member involvement.
• MRA - The Management AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of SEWI-ATD. Headquarters located at N19W24400 Riverwood Dr., Waukesha, WI. Provides meeting venue for chapter programs. Learning & Development instructors serve as chapter event presenters.
• FOCUS TrainingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor headquartered in Milwaukee with national client presence. Nearly 30 years of experience in strategic leadership development programming. Provides experiential learning methodologies aligned with client culture and work.
• Stewart LeadershipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor offering executive consulting and coaching services. Located at 11414 W. Park Place Suite 202, Milwaukee WI 53224.
• The CARA GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor. Executive coaching and leadership development firm headquartered at One Lincoln Centre, Suite 1000, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. President and CEO Michelle Reid-Powell facilitated the Leaders in Learning Panel Discussion.
• ATD National (Association for Talent Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization providing joint membership (Power Membership) opportunity, industry research, toolkits, certification programs, and national conferences. SEWI-ATD is an affiliated local chapter of ATD.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Madison ATD Chapter: Sister Wisconsin ATD chapter that collaborates with SEWI-ATD through the Wisconsin ATD Chapters Partnership (joint events with 150+ registrants). Operates the same membership-association model targeting L&D professionals in a different Wisconsin geography.
• Milwaukee Area SHRM (MKE SHRM): Local SHRM-affiliated HR professional chapter serving the Milwaukee / Southeastern Wisconsin market. Closest geographic peer serving a highly overlapping member base of HR and L&D practitioners in SEWI-ATD's home territory.
• Northeast Wisconsin ATD Chapter (NEW-ATD): Sister Wisconsin ATD chapter also participating in the Wisconsin ATD Chapters Partnership with SEWI-ATD. Direct peer operating the same chapter model, sponsor tiers, and event formats for L&D professionals in the Fox Valley / Green Bay region.

Regional players

• ATD Chicagoland Chapter: Neighboring regional ATD chapter serving the Chicago metro area. Operates the same chapter format, PDN structure, and ATD-affiliated membership model in a different geographic market adjacent to SEWI-ATD's territory.

Others

• Brandon Hall Group: Research and advisory firm focused on learning and talent management. Targets the same L&D practitioner audience as SEWI-ATD but monetizes through research subscriptions, awards programs, and HCM advisory services.
• Training Industry Inc. Media, research, and events company serving the corporate L&D industry. Serves an overlapping audience of talent development professionals but operates as a commercial media business rather than a membership association.
• HR.com: Online community and resource platform for HR and L&D professionals. Comparable target audience and content categories (talent development, training, instructional design) but operates as a commercial community platform rather than a local chapter association.

Broad incumbents

• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): National professional association for HR practitioners with a closely overlapping member base (L&D is a subset of HR). SHRM operates a comparable local-chapter model and similar membership, certification, and event-driven revenue streams.
• International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI): International professional association focused on performance improvement, instructional design, and workplace learning — directly aligned with SEWI-ATD's Talent Development and Performance Improvement PDN content areas.
• Association for Talent Development (ATD): National parent organization of SEWI-ATD and the broader professional association for talent development professionals. SEWI-ATD operates as an affiliated local chapter, leveraging ATD's brand, research, certification programs, and joint membership offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sewi-atd-chapter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter Of The Association For Talent Development