How are we doing?

By George Althoff
Executive Director

The Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce would like your feedback on how we are doing to meet the needs of our members. We’re hoping you will take a few minutes to complete a brief satisfaction survey. Your input is essential as we assess our current performance on fulfilling our mission, which is:
“The Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce will promote the Baraboo area as a premier tourism destination and strengthen the local economy by advancing the interests of our members and constituents.”
If there is someone within your organization who is more actively involved in Chamber activities, please forward the survey to that person for completion. We would like surveys to be completed by March 31. The survey is anonymous and can be found here.
Results of the survey will be used to help your Chamber staff of four work to do an even better job of meeting the needs of our members. The survey is 12 questions long and does include an opportunity for open-ended comments. So, don’t be bashful. Give us your honest feedback!
If you have questions about the survey, please contact me at director@baraboochamber.com or 608-356-8333.

Wegner CPAs weighs in with Silver sponsorship
I’d like to extend a big thank you to Wegner CPAs, which has invested in a Silver Level Partner Package sponsorship. Wegner becomes our 30th Partner Package sponsor for 2026. Under the program, members receive a host of benefits that includes sponsorship of the annual Big Top Parade, participation in our annual golf classic, admission to our annual Oktoberfest, tickets to the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and free advertising options in our monthly newsletter. A full list of sponsors can be found on our website, baraboo.com.

Szydlowski appointed to vacant board position
Former director Teddie Szydlowski has been appointed to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. She will fill the position vacated by Merry Lynn Riek, who resigned from the board for personal reasons.
Szydlowski served on the board from 2022-25, including a year as President and her final year as Past President. She is a mortgage banking officer at Community First Bank.

Got Chamber Bucks? Redeem them promptly
If you accept Chamber Bucks, please make sure you are bringing them to the Chamber office for redemption on a regular basis. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• The certificates are stamped with an expiration date that is one year following the date of purchase. Train your employees to check the expiration date of the certificates before accepting them.
• If they are expired, then do not accept them and tell customer to contact the Chamber office.
• Merchants have a 30-day grace period in which to receive reimbursement from the Chamber. For example, if you have accepted Chamber Bucks that expired on March 1, 2026, then you would have until April 30 to bring them in for reimbursement.
• If you are in possession of Chamber Bucks that are close to their expiration date and for some reason you are unable to spend them, you may bring them to the Chamber office for a one-time exchange for certificates that will have an extended expiration date.
• If you are a business that purchases Chamber Bucks for employee incentives, please emphasize to your employees that expiration dates are enforced and that the certificates should be spent.