Member News Archives | Page 9 of 23 | Greater Green Bay Chamber

Local Partners Host Food Drive to Support Unpaid Federal Workers

In response to the ongoing government shutdown, local airlines, vendors and airport partners at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) are stepping up to support unpaid federal workers. Organizations such as Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, AvFlight, Jet Air, Hertz and Enterprise are just a few that are generously donating food and supplies. They are also asking the public to join the effort to help local, federally employed transportation safety and aviation professionals and their families.

“Our staff is like family,” said Delta Air Lines Station Manager Sandra Samuelson. “These are the people who make our communities and skies safe. At the end of the day, they must go home and provide for their families. Our goal is to make that as easy as possible during this time.”

A food and pantry drive is now open to collect non-perishable items and household essentials for federal workers. Requested items include:

Canned goods (soups, beans, fruit, vegetables)
Pasta, rice, cereal, peanut butter
Shelf-stable snacks (granola bars)

Donations can be dropped off at the Delta ticket counter, with convenient parking available in front of the terminal entrances. The public is also encouraged to follow Delta’s social media channels for updates on specific needs, such as diapers and baby formula. Monetary donations are being accepted and will be used by Delta staff to purchase additional pantry items.

In addition to the food pantry, several airlines and their partners are hosting weekly luncheons during the workday for employees.

“Twice a week, we are all coming together to provide fresh meals for our workers,” said Samuelson. “All of the local vendors — from the commercial airlines to the fixed based operators and car rental agencies — are teaming up to bring some relief for those who continue to serve without pay.”

The local partners are committed to continuing these luncheons and collecting donations until the shutdown ends.

Green Bay Botanical Garden Takes FIrst Place in 2025 AAS Display Garden Landscape Design Challenge

For the challenge, AAS provided the gardens with recent AAS Winner seeds and plants. The gardens had the option to also incorporate older AAS Winners in their design to give a historical aspect to their display, if desired. Gardens were encouraged to hold educational events (especially appropriate this year) to share the story of All-America Selections and AAS Winners.

Gardens are divided into three categories based on the number of visitors per year:

Category I: fewer than 10,000 visitors per year

Category II: 10,001 – 100,000 visitors per year

Category III: Over 100,000 visitors per year

All-America Selections recognizes and thanks the contest judges who are industry experts in the field of horticulture and landscaping:

Ron Cramer, Retired, Sakata Ornamentals and AAS Former President

Barbara Wise, Marketing, Crescent Garden

Helen Battersby, Garden Writer/Speaker, Toronto Gardens

Penny Merritt-Price, Product Development Manager, Young’s Plant Farm

AAS is proud to announce the following winning gardens from the 2024 Design Challenge:

Category III: Over 100,000 visitors per year

First Place Winner: Green Bay Botanical Garden in Green Bay, Wisconsin

The AAS Landscape design at Green Bay Botanical Garden successfully integrated the STEAM acronym (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) with a botanical twist. The design featured a spiral garden bed representing the Fibonacci sequence (Math) and reused plastic sculptures connecting to sustainability and the Washed Ashore exhibit (Art). Engineering was demonstrated through various accessible raised beds and an adapted ladder trellis for vertical growing. Technology utilized QR codes on plant labels to link visitors to detailed AAS Winner information. As a cornerstone of the theme, Science highlighted principles of botany, pollination, and nutrition. The immersive garden provided guests with a beautiful and educational experience, ensuring the impact of the planting lingered long after their visit.

Second Place Winner: Boerner Botanical Gardens in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The trial garden display at Boerner Botanical Gardens featured a distinctive STEAM Train built to reflect the 2025 AAS theme. Utilizing the long bed, the designer constructed a train with each “car” representing a different STEAM discipline, planted exclusively with past and present AAS Winners. The project incorporated a unique train engine and cow catcher built from scrap metal by an Ironworkers Local 8 member. Educational efforts included information cards linking plants to each STEAM concept for visiting school groups. The display proved highly popular, serving as a photo opportunity and educational focal point for both school children and general visitors, generating local news coverage and social media interest.

Category II: 10,001 – 100,000 visitors per year

First Place Winner: Purdue Extension-Marion County Demonstration Garden in Indianapolis, Indiana

Extension Master Gardener volunteers, in collaboration with the local Purdue University Extension office, planned, planted, and maintained the Purdue Extension Marion County Demonstration Garden. The garden achieved a new daily visitor record of 1,039 people during the Indiana State Fair, with guests seeking design ideas and solutions to gardening issues. New AAS Winners like Petunia Dekko Maxx Pink and Pepper Pick-N-Pop Yellow were visitor favorites. The garden prominently featured a “Living Classroom” banner and dedicated signage to illustrate the STEAM curriculum. This included a Pi Trail (Math), an F1 Hybrid explanation (Science), a Flower Tower demonstration (Engineering), and QR codes (Technology) for plant lists and construction guides, effectively turning the display into a popular and engaging educational experience.

Second Place Winner: McCrory Gardens in Brookings, South Dakota

McCrory Gardens titled its 2025 AAS Design Garden, “The Art of Curiosity in the Pigment Garden: Art, Science, and Horticulture Converge.” Inspired by a conference presentation, garden staff created a feature showcasing AAS Winners and other species capable of producing natural dyes. Every plant label included its scientific name, dye color, and the specific plant part used. The design incorporated a wide range of AAS Winners, from vintage classics to modern selections, including Marigold ‘Mango Tango’ and Basil ‘Dark Opal.’ Educational signs explained the dye extraction process, highlighting the intersection of Horticulture, Science, and Art. Visitors expressed fascination and surprise at the diverse potential of the pigment garden.

Third Place Winner: Horticultural Art Society Demonstration Garden in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Horticultural Art Society (HAS) successfully integrated STEAM principles into their public garden by developing structured, interactive educational activities. The design included a Garden Library with an AAS Infographic and multi-level Scavenger Hunts, alongside raised plant troughs demonstrating square foot and companion gardening (Math/Science) and water-saving irrigation (Engineering). To promote ecological awareness, a functional worm box and a pollinator house offered hands-on learning. Art was emphasized through recycled material sculptures and creatively painted elements. These dynamic, educational features have notably increased visitor engagement, especially among young children, promoting sustainable living and environmental stewardship throughout the community.

Category I: fewer than 10,000 visitors per year

First Place Winner: Penn State Ext Lancaster County Master Gardeners’ Idea Gardens in Mannheim, Pennsylvania

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners’ Idea Gardens successfully incorporated STEAM concepts into their 2025 display, featuring numerous educational signs with AAS branding. They hosted four well-attended Open Houses and various activities, including creating seed balls and planting in paper pots, alongside a “Garden Quest” for adults. Two visiting art associations were inspired to paint the gardens, adding to the visual appeal. AAS Winners, including the grand Sunflower ‘Concert Bell’, were strategically planted for color and height. All AAS produce was donated to the “Adopt-A-Pantry” food program. Approximately 1,700 known visitors toured the gardens, enjoying the engaging activities and the educational display of AAS and STEAM concepts.

Second Place Winner: Kansas State Univ Horticulture Research and Extension Center in Olathe, Kansas

The Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners at the K-State Olathe Horticulture and Research Center designed their AAS Display Garden to be a demonstration and teaching garden centered on the STEAM theme. A primary goal was creating an easily accessible, self-guided tour using QR codes and a video presentation, limiting verbiage and maximizing photos for all ages. The design successfully incorporated all five STEAM elements, highlighted by paintbrush sculptures and a central color wheel. Visitors and fellow Master Gardeners praised the healthy plants, overall aesthetic, and the integrated use of QR codes and AAS plant markers, allowing them to fully understand the educational application of STEAM within the garden space.

Third Place Winner: Community Arboretum at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Virginia

Horticulture student interns at the college developed the AAS garden design, unifying the STEAM theme through the Fibonacci Sequence. The sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34) was visually represented by a spiral of zinnia cultivars. Each numerical block corresponded to a STEAM discipline, such as five blocks for the Science section, which depicted a plant cell. Engineering featured a hexagon-shaped bed representing a honeycomb, while the Art section was shaped like an artist’s pallet. Technology displayed cucumbers on trellises, symbolizing biomimicry. Visitors were particularly impressed by the detailed interpretation of the Fibonacci Sequence, validating the student-led planning, preparation, and installation of the complex display.

Honorable Mentions:

· Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida Co. Parker F. Scripture Botanical Gardens

· Cutler Botanic Garden

· University of MN North Central Research and Outreach Center

· Montpelier Kids Garden

· Lee College Horticulture Program

· Boone Country Extension Demonstration Garden

· Teaching Garden at Woodward Park

· The Museum of Science and Industry Garden

Winners in each category can be found on the AAS website.

For more information about the contest winners or how to participate in 2026, contact Diane Blazek, All-America Selections.

ISG Celebrates Employees Ownership Month by Launching the ISG Impact FUnd

ISG, a 100% employee-owned firm through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), is proud to announce the launch of the ISG Impact Fund. This program is designed to amplify the generosity of its employee owners and strengthen the communities where they live and work. As a multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm, ISG is committed to making a lasting impact.

The launch coincides with Employee Ownership Month, a time when ISG celebrates the power and purpose of employee ownership. An ownership mindset is at the core of everything ISG does. With each employee owner personally invested in the firm’s success, they bring passion and design expertise to their clients and projects. Clients benefit from a fully engaged team whose collective knowledge keeps their best interests at the forefront, while community members see the positive impact of the firm’s work and team’s volunteer efforts.

ISG has a long history of giving back through corporate sponsorships and charitable contributions. The ISG Impact Fund adds greater intention, consistency, and transparency to the firm’s giving. It empowers employee owners to take an active role in directing where contribution dollars go. It also encourages giving by offering a matching structure, reinforcing ISG’s owner-driven approach to philanthropy.

The ISG Impact Fund matches up to $250 in charitable donations per employee annually. Eligible organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits that align with ISG’s core values of being dynamic, working together, earning respect, responding quickly, and being empathetic. The new program allows employee owners to support causes that matter most to them and their communities, while also aligning with ISG’s mission.

As part of this year’s Employee Ownership Month celebration, ISG invited employee owners to nominate and vote for a nonprofit to receive the first ISG Impact Fund donation. The selected organization was Hunger Task Force based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With a mission to prevent hunger and malnutrition, Hunger Task Force ensures families have food on the table while working toward long-term solutions to end hunger. Their work is rooted in understanding community needs and responding with action.

Team members from ISG’s Brookfield, Wisconsin office have assisted the organization through volunteer efforts to support residents across eastern Wisconsin. As the winning nonprofit, Hunger Task Force received a monetary donation.

“It is inspiring to see our employee owners support an organization that’s close to home and doing great work,” says Chelsea Davis, ISG ESOP Committee member and Brookfield office leader, “The ISG Impact Fund match program is a powerful way for us to extend our impact beyond the workplace.”

ISG’s Employee Ownership Month celebration also included contributions to runner-up organizations, acknowledging the meaningful work they do in local communities. Runner up organizations were: Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) in Northwest Arkansas, CASA in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Leader Valley in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

In addition to financial support, ISG continues to invest in hands-on service through its Impact Day program, which provides each employee owner with eight hours of paid time off annually to volunteer with organizations they care about. These programs balance acts of giving with acts of service, strengthening the connections that make communities thrive.

Together, ISG’s Impact Fund and Impact Day demonstrate the firm’s ongoing commitment to community, employee engagement, and client partnerships. Visit the ISG website to learn more about their Employee Ownership culture.

Stay connected to other firm events and news by visiting ISG’s newsroom.

About ISG

ISG, a 100% ESOP firm, has a rich history, which extends over 50 years of building trusting relationships with clients, stakeholders, and the community. As a full-service architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm with 600+ professionals in offices in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, ISG provides exceptional services, strategies, and guidance to a wide range of markets nationwide. To learn more about ISG, visit ISGInc.com.

NEW Zoo & Adventure Park to Honor Veterans

In honor of Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11th, the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park will once
again offer free admission* to the NEW Zoo and to the Neil Anderson Canopy Tour for veterans,
active-duty military personnel, and their immediate families. In the Mayan Restaurant, our guests of
honor can enjoy free coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccino, or soda along with cookies while supplies
last. The Gift Shop will also offer a 20% discount for veterans on all regularly priced items.

The NEW Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in November – including on all upcoming
holidays! If you need somewhere to rest and warm up during your walk around the zoo, you can
always pop into the Mayan Restaurant and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, too. The
restaurant is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (weather and staffing permitted).

The Neil Anderson Canopy Tour opens daily at 9:00 a.m., with the final tour departing at 3:30 p.m.
except on Thanksgiving Day when it will be closed. Fat tire bike rentals are also available at the
Adventure Park Base Camp Building daily starting at 9:00 a.m. whenever trails are open. The
Adventure Park’s zip lines, climbing wall, and ropes challenge course are closed for the season.
*Special free admission discounts are available only at the door and not through advanced online ticket sales.

Garden of Lights Returns to Green Bay Botanical Garden with New Interactive Light Displays & Themed Bright Nights

As the days grow shorter and winter approaches, Green Bay Botanical Garden is preparing to light up the night with Garden of Lights presented by Wisconsin Public Service Foundation!

Starting Friday, November 28, enjoy a stroll on a one-mile path filled with luminous lightscapes, sparkling outdoor scenes, and endless magical moments. Experience the shimmer and shine of more than 40 nature-themed light displays, including two brand new displays: an interactive Tic Tac Snow game and a thrilling Aurora in Bloom laser show. Plus, get tickets for themed Bright Nights including Kids Glow Free, Afterglow (21+), and more!

There are also accessible ways to experience the light show! Guests can purchase tickets for a whimsical ride in a horse-drawn wagon, or make a reservation for a Golf Cart Tour of the displays. Purchase tickets ahead of time for the best seat in the house with a stunning view of the displays.

While exploring the show, guests are invited to enjoy a snack or warm beverage at the Concessions Building on the WPS Foundation Plaza. Be sure to stop by the Fischer Visitor Center as well, which is full of fun activities for kids of all ages. In the Visitor Center, guests can shop for gifts in the WPS Trellis Gift Shop, enjoy the Green Bay Area Model Railroaders Club display, send a letter to Santa, and discover other fun activities during theme nights!

To learn more about the Garden and this beloved community event, call 920.490.9457 or visit GBBG.org/Lights.

Dates & Times

November 28-30

December 4-7

December 11-14

December 18-23

December 26-30

4:30-9 pm

Closed: November 27, December 24-25, 31, January 1-4

Guests have 30 minutes after the selected entry time to arrive. Entry times are every 30 minutes beginning at 4:30 pm with last entry at 8:30 pm (7 pm for wagon riders). Lights out at 9 pm.

Bright Nights

Afterglow (21+): Saturday, November 29

Toast to a night that shines bright! Leave the wagons and strollers at home, and enjoy an evening that shimmers just for you. Open to adults ages 21+ only.

Kids Glow Free

Your family night just got brighter! Kids 12 & under get free Walking Tickets with one paid adult Value Night ticket. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers. Wagon rides are not available due to limited capacity.

Frozen Magic

Let it glow! Meet Anna and Elsa, pose for photos, and be inspired by the magic, ice, and light of the North Wind. Included with Garden of Lights ticket. Frozen Magic experiences conclude at 8:30 pm, but guests may continue to enjoy the lights until 9 pm.

Reindeer Cheer

Celebrate the magic of Santa’s reindeer with themed activities, festive photo ops, and twinkling lights. Included with Garden of Lights ticket. Reindeer Cheer experiences conclude at 8:30 pm, but guests may continue to enjoy the lights until 9 pm.

Other Activities

Photos with Santa

Select dates before Christmas

November 28, 30, December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 | 5–8 pm

Get your photos with Santa! Check our website before your visit for updates on availability. Photo packages have an additional fee.

Letters to Santa

All Nights Through December 23 | 4:30–9 pm
Bring your letters to Santa to place in his North Pole Mailbox.

Natural Holiday Trees
All Nights | 4:30–9 pm
Check out our natural holiday trees featuring ornaments and decorations made from flowers and plants found in the Garden!

Green Bay Area Model Railroaders Club
All Nights Through December 23 | 4:30–9 pm
Check out their display this year with stunning scenery and detailed model trains.

WPS Trellis Gift Shop

All Nights | 4:30–8:30 pm

Pick up a unique ornament, browse selections from local makers, or treat yourself (or a friend) to a new gardening tool. Stop in while you’re here for WPS Garden of Lights or visit us during the week – shop hours are the same as the Garden’s.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online at GBBG.org/Lights.

Adult Garden members receive a $3 discount per ticket every event night, and can buy additional tickets at this discounted rate based on their membership level.

Event capacity is limited, so purchase your dated and timed entry tickets early and in advance to ensure your desired date is available.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride

Includes a half-mile walk on paved paths through the upper areas of the light show before the start of the wagon ride (over mulched paths). Transport assistance to the wagon ride area is available, please ask at Admissions. Tickets for the Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride must be purchased in advance. Walking tickets cannot be upgraded at the door.

There are three large steps up into the horse-drawn wagon, so individuals with limited mobility are strongly encouraged to bring someone to assist with boarding the wagon.

Accessible Golf Cart Ride

Wheelchair and motorized scooter users and up to three other guests can receive a golf cart ride around the .4 miles of the lower gardens mulched pathways. Mobility device users need to be able to get into the golf cart without their wheelchair or motorized scooter (no ramp available). Their party can assist them if needed.

Guests will need to purchase an Accessible Golf Cart Ticket at least 24 hours in advance before their preferred date (and Walking Tickets for the up to three additional members of their party). The ticket also includes a half-mile Walking Tour of the paved pathways in the upper gardens after the golf cart ride.

Questions? Contact our Events Team at events@gbbg.org or 920.490.9457.

Group Rates
Reduced-rate tickets are available for groups of 25 or more. Tickets must be purchased from the Events Team at least two weeks in advance at 920.593.5662 or events@gbbg.org.

Event Sponsors

Wisconsin Public Service Foundation; Boldt; Community First Credit Union; IBEW Local 158; K.C. Stock Foundation; Nicolet National Bank; Sunbelt Rentals; Seiner Tree & Shrub Care, LLC; Cornerstone Foundation of Northeastern Wisconsin, Inc.; Festival Foods; Green Bay Packers Give Back; Green Bay Packaging George Kress Foundation; Meijer; OSMS; Robert E. Lee & Associates, Inc.; Schneider; TDS; US 400 Pipe Trades; Dar Stumpf; US Bank; Mary Zaborski; Cellcom; CoVantage Credit Union; Fox Communities Credit Union; Hemophilia Outreach Center; Janssen Law; Prevea Health; Tie the Knot Bridal Boutique; Terri Trantow-Witek & Paul Witek; Ansay & Associates, LLC.; Hawkins Ash CPAs; Bank of Luxemburg; Laurie Sales Venture Foundation of Lakeshore Community Foundation; Bay Towel; Schroeder’s Flowers

Hy-Vee to Support Local Communities by Providing Free Kids Meals, Food Bank Bundles and More

With food banks preparing to see a record number of families over the coming weeks, Hy-Vee will be providing multiple community support options at all Hy-Vee store locations.

From Nov. 3-7, every Hy-Vee store with hot food service will provide a free kids meal to those ages 12 and under from 4-7 p.m. The same meal will be available to everyone else for $3 and will be offered for dine in or to go. To follow is the menu that will be offered at each participating location:

Monday, Nov. 3: Baked Potato with Pulled Pork
Tuesday, Nov. 4: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad and Garlic Bread
Wednesday, Nov. 5: Chicken and Noodles with Mashed Potatoes
Thursday, Nov. 6: Chili and a Cinnamon Roll
Friday, Nov. 7: Sesame or Orange Chicken Rice Bowl
- In locations without HyChi, the meal will be Two Chicken Tenders, Mashed Potatoes and Corn

During the coming weeks, Hy-Vee will also be sharing on its social media channels recipes that families can make for $3 or less a serving. These meals will include products featured in Hy-Vee’s weekly ads.

Customers who wish to help their local food pantries can do so at Hy-Vee. Starting today, Hy-Vee stores will offer $5 and $10 food bank donation bundles for customers to purchase. The bags will include items most needed by food pantries, including canned vegetables, pasta sauce, canned proteins and cereal. Stores will deliver any purchased bags to their local food pantry daily to help manage the projected increase in need.

“We want to support the communities that support our stores, which is why we are doing everything we can to make sure no one goes hungry during these uncertain times,” said Anna Stoermer, Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising & Retail Officer, Hy-Vee, Inc. “We are grateful for the suppliers and partners who have joined us to help feed families in need.”

Suppliers participating in Hy-Vee’s efforts include Acadian Crossing Consumer Products; Dole; Pillsbury; ProHealth; StarKist Tuna and SUNSET Mastronardi.

These efforts are in addition to Hy-Vee’s recent $100,000 donation to its Feeding America partner food banks across its region. Hy-Vee’s donation will go toward maintaining adequate inventory levels at local food banks to assist families. In addition, Hy-Vee has donated $25,000 to DoorDash’s initiative to waive delivery and service fees for customers who receive food assistance benefits, helping families stretch their budgets even further. Hy-Vee’s donations are in addition to the more than $70 million it provided through in-kind food donations over the past year.

###

Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 560 business units across nine Midwestern states with sales of more than $14 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee was recently named one of the top grocery stores in America by USA TODAY. The company’s more than 70,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.

Green Bay Botanical Garden Event Schedule November – December 2025

Self-Guided Daily Drop-In Activities
Free with Daily Admission/Free for Garden Members

Stop & Learn Signs |Anytime

Discovery Boxes | Anytime

Scavenger Hunts | Anytime

S.E.E.D. Packs | Anytime

November

Tuesdays, November 4, 11, 18
Breath Work for Better Health

5:30–6:45 pm

Cujo, Exercise Physiologist

Full series: $29/Garden Member

$35/General Public

One Day: $13

Garden of Lights

Presented by Wisconsin Public Service Foundation
November 28-30

December 4–7, 11–14, 18–23, & 26–30
4:30–9 pm

Closed November 27, December 24 & 25.

Limited capacity – buy dated and timed entry tickets early and in advance to secure your preferred date.

###

About Green Bay Botanical Garden

Green Bay Botanical Garden connects people with plants by providing year-round educational and recreational experiences for everyone in an environment that engages, inspires, and refreshes. First opened in 1996 and now featuring 47-acres of display gardens and natural areas, the Garden touches the lives of more than 200,000 visitors annually on average from northeast Wisconsin and beyond. For more information about other happenings, visit GBBG.org or call 920.490.9457.

Cruise the Great Lakes Forecasts Record Growth in 2026

Cruise the Great Lakes, the region’s cruise marketing program, announced today its forecast for the 2026 cruising season at a press conference in Green Bay that featured remarks from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. The 2026 season continues the long-term growth of Great Lakes cruising, delivering more passengers, port visits, and a record-breaking $300 million (US) economic impact on large and small regional destinations.

Economic impact

The economic impact of cruising on the Great Lakes is expected to exceed $300 million (US) in 2026, a 25% increase from 2025. More passengers, more port visits, higher shoreside spending, and a rising price premium for Great Lakes cruises are critical drivers of this growth. The ongoing expansion of Great Lakes cruising continues to bring significant economic benefits to both large and small port communities throughout the region.

Cruise Lines and Ships

A new cruise line will enter the Great Lakes market in 2026–American Cruise Lines will bring ships to U.S. ports in the region. The itinerary highlights the growing variety of travel options.

In total, seven cruise lines are scheduled to operate on the Great Lakes in 2026, including:

Pearl Seas
Ponant
St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
Victory
Viking
Hapag-Lloyd
American Cruise Lines

These lines will operate 10 ships cruising the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River in 2026:

Pearl Mist (Pearl Seas)
Canadian Empress (St. Lawrence Cruise Lines)
Octantis (Viking)
Polaris (Viking)
Le Bellot (Ponant)
Le Champlain (Ponant)
Hanseatic Inspiration (Hapag-Lloyd)
Victory 1 (Victory)
Victory 2 (Victory)
American Patriot (American)

Passenger visits

In 2026, Great Lakes cruises are projected to welcome over 23,000 individual passengers, a 5% increase from 2025. More than 800 port visits are planned, which is nearly 15% higher than last year. And the total number of cruise passenger visits across the region is estimated at nearly 175,000, up nearly 15% from 2025.

“Great Lakes cruising is vitally important to Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. It’s a major economic driver and job creator for our port communities and the state,” said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “I commend Cruise the Great Lakes for playing a key role in promoting the Great Lakes as a world-class destination.”

“Great Lakes cruising does more than delight passengers. It drives dollars to shorelines across the region,” said Wisconsin Tourism Secretary and Cruise the Great Lakes Chair Anne Sayers. “The expected growth means more travelers making lifelong memories, more passengers visiting businesses in port cities, and more economic impact in Wisconsin and across the Great Lakes region.”

“As we look to 2026, we’re excited to see continued growth in the Great Lakes cruise sector,” said Sally Davis Berry, Tourism Director of Cruise the Great Lakes. “We forecast this upcoming season to be even stronger than 2025, both in terms of passenger numbers, destinations visited, and economic impact, which underscores the appeal of cruising in the Great Lakes.”

“Being part of Cruise the Great Lakes is a tremendous opportunity for Green Bay,” said Brad Toll, President & CEO of Discover Green Bay. “Each ship that visits introduces travelers from around the world to our community while generating meaningful economic benefits for local businesses. We’re excited to continue building on this momentum in 2026 and to showcase all that Green Bay has to offer cruise passengers.”

2026 Season Statistics At a Glance

Economic impact over $300 million (US), an expected increase of nearly 25% from 2025.
10 cruise ships will operate on the Great Lakes in 2026.
Over 23,000 passengers will cruise on the Great Lakes.
Cruise ships will make more than 800 visits to Great Lakes ports, a 15% increase.
Total cruise passenger traffic at ports will total over 175,000, up 15% from 2025.

Understanding the Data

Port Visits:

This estimate is calculated by adding together all itineraries from the cruise lines, representing all stops by all ships.
If there were two ships, and each visited four ports, that would be eight port visits.

Passenger Visits:

This figure is calculated by taking passenger number and multiplying it by the port stops.
If there are two ships, each with 100 passengers, and each ship makes four port stops, then there are 800 passenger visits.

# # #

About Cruise the Great Lakes

www.cruisethegreatlakes.com

Cruise the Great Lakes is the region’s cruise marketing program focused on attracting more passengers. It is a forum to bring together the States, Provinces, cruise lines, ports, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, associations, and others to work toward shared goals.

Crime Prevention Foundation of Brown County Awards $57,300 to Support Safer Brown County

The Crime Prevention Foundation of Brown County, a fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, awarded $57,300 in grants to 15 nonprofit initiatives focused on promoting safety, fostering personal development, and addressing the root causes of harmful or unsafe behavior.

The Crime Prevention Foundation distributes grants once per year. Grants are awarded based on a competitive application process, which includes review by a grants team of community volunteers. Each cycle, the Community Foundation invites its fundholders to co-invest in grant applications that align with their giving goals. This year, fundholders contributed $28,300 to increase available grant dollars and help meet the growing needs of our community.

Crime Prevention Foundation grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin: Funds will support the recruitment and training of mentors and provide activities that foster growth and connection for participants in the youth mentoring program.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay: Funds will support the incorporation of career exploration and leadership opportunities for Club teens alongside the pop-up barber shops offered at both clubhouses during Family Nights.
Children’s Museum of Green Bay: Funds will support the Play Patrol Monthly Program and EAT Events to give local families opportunities to build positive relationships with police officers through hands-on activities at the museum.
Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W: Funding will support the expansion of the Triple P Positive Parenting program in Brown County, which provides parents with simple and practical strategies to help them build strong and healthy relationships.
Foundations Health & Wholeness: Funds will support RAYS Youth Services which offers free, confidential, and individualized support for young people navigating instability caused by poverty, mental health struggles, housing insecurity, or various other systemic barriers.
Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes: Funds will support Reaching Out programming at community sites across Brown County. Programming helps girls develop skills to make healthy choices, build supportive relationships, and live according to their values.
Golden House: Funds will support prevention education programming which aims to equip young adults with the ability to recognize the difference between healthy and abusive relationships, develop skills to foster healthy interactions with partners or family members, and feel empowered to apply these tools in their daily life.
Greater Green Bay YWCA: Funds will support field trip opportunities offered through local community sites which are designed to provide enriching, safe, and recreational experiences that are otherwise inaccessible to youth due to financial limitations, lack of transportation, or other barriers.
Green Bay Sail & Paddle: Funds will support the Adventures in Sailing program which engages youth in meaningful activities that foster problem-solving, teamwork, and personal growth. Through sailing, participants gain meaningful social interaction and connection and build essential life skills such as courage, patience, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork.
Growing Resiliency: Funding will support the expansion of a high-impact literacy tutor program that empowers children through a dual focus on literacy and resilience, helping children build strong reading skills and confidence early leading to increased school success.
Midwest Survivor Institute: Funding will support the implementation of Anything with Friends, a series of structured community-building and crime prevention activities for youth in the Shipyard Neighborhood Association District.
Rise Up Athletics: Funds will support programming that provides local youth athletes with coaching, mentorship, and support, allowing youth the opportunity to participate in sports while learning skills that help them strive for excellence on the playing field and in life.
St. John’s Ministries: Funding will support the installation of enhanced security measures to deter crime and bolster community safety around the parking lot and adjacent areas of the Micah Center, a daytime resource center for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Volunteer Center of Brown County: Funding will support the Reading Coaches for Kids program, a one-hour per week tutoring program aimed at boosting literacy among K-5 students in Brown County school.
West De Pere High School: Funding will support the SADD Every 15 Minutes program, a biennial event designed to prevent drunk and distracted driving among teens and adults.

About the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation

Established in 1991, the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation inspires and encourages charitable giving in Northeast Wisconsin by providing simple and smart giving tools, impactful grants, and collaborative leadership to address critical community needs. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $224 million in grants supporting a broad range of organizations and initiatives. In the last fiscal year, together with its donors, $19.4 million was distributed. Today, the Foundation manages more than 800 charitable funds with assets exceeding $193 million. www.ggbcf.org

OSMS Named One of America’s Best Surgery Centers THree YEars in a Row

For the third consecutive year in a row, Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS) Orthopedic Surgery Center of Green Bay (OSCGB), was recognized as one of America’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers 2026 by Newsweek and Statista.

In 2024, America’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) acknowledged the leading 550 ASCs in the U.S., and in 2025, they acknowledged the leading 650 ASCs in the country. For 2026, they highlighted the 700 leading ASCs in America. Out of nine ASCs to have received this recognition in Wisconsin, OSCGB is the only ASC to have earned this recognition in the Green Bay area. Additionally, OSCGB is the only ASC in Northeast Wisconsin to be named on of America’s Best Surgery Center three years in a row.

The criteria in which an ASC is deemed as the Best in America, is based on Quality Metrics, Evaluation from Peers, Patient Experience, and Accreditations.

Not only does OSMS have a 98% patient satisfaction rating*, but additionally, OSMS surgery centers have an impressively low post-operative infection rate of 0.15%**. OSMS’ post-operative infection rate is 6 times lower than the average ASC post-operative infection rate and 15 times lower than the average hospital post-operative infection rate.

“Achieving this recognition once may be a coincidence. Two times could be luck. But receiving this recognition three times establishes a clear pattern of excellence, proving OSMS’s consistency and commitment to our patients,” explains Amanda Sosnosky, ASC Administrator at OSMS. “This acknowledgement says many things about OSMS and our team’s devotion to providing our patients and community members with the highest quality care and experience. And not only do we provide superior care, but we also offer it at an affordable cost.”

Procedures and surgeries performed at Orthopedic Surgery Center of Green Bay include but is not limited to total joint replacements of the shoulder, hip, and knee, partial joint replacements, arthroscopy (scopes), ACL reconstruction, collarbone surgery, Achilles tendon repair, hand, wrist, and elbow surgeries, and foot and ankle surgeries.

For more information about OSMS Ambulatory Surgery Centers, visit: OSMS Onsite Surgery Centers – Green Bay & Fox Valley, WI.

Category: Member News