Independent Business Association Of Wisconsin (ibaw)

What Independent Business Association Of Wisconsin (ibaw) does

The Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (IBAW) is a statewide nonprofit membership organization representing independent businesses and employers across Wisconsin. It serves members spanning manufacturing, construction, legal, financial, technology, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship sectors, delivering value through peer-to-peer networking, recurring programming, and legislative advocacy. Core programming includes the monthly Leadership Circle (professional development), Sales Roundtable (sales/marketing strategy), Business Behind the Scenes (member facility tours), Sporting Clay Shoot, Monthly Breakfast Meetings at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee, and an Annual Manufacturing Summit held each September.

IBAW operates on a membership-based revenue model supplemented by structured advertising in its monthly IBAW Statewide Magazine, which is distributed digitally to 500+ small business owners, elected officials, and entrepreneurs with 1,200+ views per issue. Magazine advertising is priced in tiers — full-page at $5,000/year, half-page at $2,500/year, and quarter-page at $1,250/year — with monthly and quarterly billing options. Additional revenue is generated through event sponsorships (Manufacturing Summit, Clay Shoot). The organization's advocacy capability is anchored in a Public Policy Committee that produces white papers and biannual Legislative Roundtables connecting members with elected officials. Membership dues are not publicly disclosed and require login to access.

The organization runs on Wild Apricot membership management software for website and membership operations. Effective May 1, 2026, IBAW transitioned its executive management to HB Strategies (HBS), with Managing Principal Robert Marchant assuming the Executive Director role to lead day-to-day operations, member engagement, board support, communications, and administrative functions. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by Board President Andy Oliver, and remains a member-driven nonprofit with no institutional investors, parent company, or disclosed subsidiaries.

Name

Independent Business Association Of Wisconsin (ibaw)

Legal name

Independent Business Association of Wisconsin

Website

https://ibaw.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wisconsin statewide nonprofit membership association serving independent businesses across manufacturing, construction, legal, financial, technology, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship through peer networking, recurring programming, legislative advocacy, and a monthly digital magazine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide access to programming, networking events, legislative updates, and peer-to-peer resources for independent businesses in Wisconsin.
2. Magazine Advertising: Digital magazine sent statewide to over 500 small business owners. Advertising packages available in full page, half page, and quarter page sizes with monthly, quarterly, and yearly billing options.
3. Event Sponsorships: Annual events including Manufacturing Summit and Clay Shoot offer sponsorship opportunities for members and partners.
4. Association Management Services: HBS (HB Strategies) provides executive director and association management services to IBAW, representing a professional services relationship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IBAW is a membership-based business association that provides Wisconsin's independent businesses with peer-to-peer C-suite networking, recurring professional development programming (Leadership Circle, Sales Roundtable, Business Behind the Scenes, monthly breakfast meetings), an Annual Manufacturing Summit, Legislative Roundtables with elected officials, advocacy through a Public Policy Committee and white papers, and a monthly statewide digital magazine. The core paid product is annual membership, which unlocks access to events, programming, advocacy updates, and the magazine.

Product overview

The Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (IBAW) is a statewide membership organization for independent businesses, not a technology product company. IBAW provides peer-to-peer networking, professional development programming, advocacy, and resources for Wisconsin businesses. The organization operates various event programs including Leadership Circle sessions, Sales Roundtables, Business Behind the Scenes tours, Sporting Clay Shoot events, monthly breakfast meetings, and an Annual Manufacturing Summit. IBAW also publishes a monthly statewide digital magazine and maintains a Public Policy Committee that produces white papers on legislative issues. The organization serves members across industries including manufacturing, construction, legal, financial, technology, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Membership Annual membership in the Independent Business Association of Wisconsin that grants access to Leadership Circle, Sales Roundtable, Business Behind the Scenes tours, monthly breakfast meetings, the Annual Manufacturing Summit, Legislative Roundtables, the monthly statewide digital magazine, and member discounts on exclusive events. Available to Wisconsin-based independent businesses and employers across multiple sectors.
• Leadership Circle Monthly professional development session focused on leadership skills, problem-solving, and decision-making techniques for IBAW member executives, held at Dale Carnegie Training in West Allis.
• Sales Roundtable Monthly member forum featuring topics on sales, marketing, and branding strategies for IBAW members.
• Business Behind The Scenes Exclusive member tours providing behind-the-scenes looks at local Wisconsin businesses and facilities.
• Sporting Clay Shoot Annual networking event featuring a sporting clay shoot, open to IBAW members and teams.
• IBAW Statewide Magazine Monthly digital magazine sent statewide to over 500 small business owners, elected officials, and entrepreneurs featuring business intelligence articles, with advertising packages available in full page, half page, and quarter page sizes.
• Public Policy Committee Legislative tracking and white paper production service that keeps IBAW members informed on policy, tax, and regulatory issues from Madison and Washington D.C.
• Legislative Roundtables Twice-yearly events connecting IBAW members with elected officials to discuss Wisconsin business concerns directly.
• Monthly Breakfast Meetings Regular networking meetings held at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee featuring guest speakers on Wisconsin business topics.
• Annual Manufacturing Summit Annual gathering focused on Wisconsin manufacturing industry topics held at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee.
• Student VIP Program Program connecting students with Wisconsin business professionals and providing career development opportunities through IBAW's member network.
• Speaker's Bureau Resource connecting schools with Wisconsin business professionals for educational presentations and mentorship.

Quantifiable outcome

• Magazine reaches 500+ small business owners with 1200+ views per issue

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HB Strategies (HBS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 6 May 2026HB Strategies and Managing Principal Robert Marchant were selected to serve as IBAW's association management firm providing Executive Director and Association Management Services, effective May 1, 2026. HBS brings extensive experience in association leadership, advocacy support, operational management, and strategic growth for mission-driven organizations. Marchant serves as IBAW's Executive Director and point of contact for members, sponsors, and partners.
• Robert MarchantcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 6 May 2026Managing Principal of HBS's Wisconsin office and Director of Growth for HB Strategies nationally. Serves as IBAW's Executive Director, leading day-to-day executive leadership and comprehensive management services.
• Dale Carnegie TrainingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides venue for IBAW Leadership Circle events at their West Allis location (10909 W. Greenfield Ave, Suite 207, West Allis, WI 53214).
• Wisconsin ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for monthly breakfast meetings and Annual Manufacturing Summit (September 18, 2026) and other key events.
• ATC (American Transmission Company)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreg Levesque, ATC Vice President of Regional Affairs and Strategic Siting, scheduled as speaker at June 19, 2026 monthly and annual meeting to address energy demands and infrastructure issues affecting Wisconsin business community.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce: WMC is Wisconsin's statewide business association combining manufacturing, commerce, and lobby advocacy. It is the most direct state-level peer to IBAW, serving Wisconsin employers with policy advocacy, events, and member services across multiple sectors, and competing for the same Wisconsin SMB audience.
• Illinois Manufacturers' Association: IMA is the oldest state manufacturers' association in the U.S., representing employers and businesses in Illinois. It is comparable to IBAW's Annual Manufacturing Summit and broader Wisconsin employer advocacy at the state level, with a similar sectoral mix and member-services portfolio.
• Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM): AIM is a state-level employer and business association in Massachusetts providing advocacy, training, and HR services. It is structurally similar to IBAW as a state-level independent business/employer association, serving employers across multiple sectors with a comparable member-services and lobbying model.

Regional players

• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC): MMAC is the regional chamber of commerce for metropolitan Milwaukee. It is comparable to IBAW as a Wisconsin-based business organization offering networking and advocacy, but focused on the Milwaukee metro area rather than the entire state, competing for the same Wisconsin member pool at a regional level.
• Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Madison Chamber is the regional business association for the Madison, Wisconsin area. It is comparable to IBAW's Wisconsin focus and SMB engagement model, but operates at a sub-state regional level and competes for the same Madison-area independent business members.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): NAM is the largest manufacturing trade association in the U.S., representing manufacturers across all 50 states. It overlaps with IBAW's manufacturing sector focus and Annual Manufacturing Summit, but operates at national scale as a broad incumbent that can attract the same Wisconsin manufacturers IBAW serves.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The U.S. Chamber is the largest national business federation representing companies of all sizes. It is a broader incumbent to IBAW, offering overlapping policy advocacy and member services, but at a national scale that dwarfs IBAW's Wisconsin footprint and competes for the same SMB advocacy mindshare.
• NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business): NFIB is the national trade association representing small and independent businesses across the U.S. It mirrors IBAW's 'independent business' positioning and advocacy focus but at a much larger national scale, making it a comparable but broader incumbent that competes for the same independent-business member mindset.

Emerging players

• Wisconsin Technology Council: The Wisconsin Technology Council is a statewide organization supporting Wisconsin's tech and innovation economy. It is a sector-specific peer to IBAW's technology sector member focus, offering overlapping programming and advocacy for a sub-segment of IBAW's technology-sector members.
• Wisconsin Restaurant Association: WRA is a state-level trade association for Wisconsin's restaurant industry, providing advocacy, training, and member services. It is an emerging-player peer focused on a single sector of Wisconsin businesses that IBAW also serves, offering overlapping advocacy and event programming for restaurant-industry SMBs in IBAW's network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IbawOffice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/independent-business-association-of-wisconsin-ibaw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Independent Business Association Of Wisconsin (ibaw)