The countdown is on. In just a few short weeks, Midwest Urban Strategies and our partners will welcome workforce leaders from across the country to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for Forward Milwaukee – Cream City Rising, a convening that blends rich history with bold innovation.
In a time when the workforce landscape is rapidly evolving, what we need most is a space to pause, connect, and reimagine what’s possible—together. That’s exactly what awaits you in Milwaukee this June.
From June 3 to 5, workforce professionals, thought leaders, and changemakers will gather for a one-of-a-kind event hosted by Midwest Urban Strategies in partnership with Employ Milwaukee. This isn’t just a conference. It’s a curated experience—designed to blend local legacy with national innovation, and elevate workforce strategies that are bold, responsive, and grounded in community.
So, what makes this convening different?
We’ll begin where the transformation is already happening: Employ Milwaukee. As a launch point for regional workforce innovation, this opening location sets the tone for three days of deep dives into reentry, youth development, apprenticeship expansion, and workforce wellbeing. You’ll hear from leaders who aren’t just talking change—they’re living it.
From there, we’ll embark on immersive site visits that highlight the spirit of Milwaukee’s renaissance:
ThriveOn King
The ThriveOn Collaboration—formed by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Royal Capital—is revitalizing Milwaukee’s Historic King Drive district. At its center is the transformation of the former Gimbels-Schuster’s Department Store into ThriveOn King, a space shaped by community input and designed to expand access to health, education, and economic opportunity, reflecting a shared commitment to long-term investment in neighborhoods and the people who call them home.
Menomonee Valley Partners
Menomonee Valley Partners is a local nonprofit leading the transformation of Milwaukee’s Menomonee River Valley into a dynamic district where industry, nature, and community intersect. Through collaboration with businesses, city agencies, and neighborhood groups, MVP supports business development, environmental restoration, and expanded access to public spaces.
Their work has helped shape the Valley into a national example of how former industrial corridors can be reimagined through thoughtful planning, resource coordination, and long-term commitment.
The Port of Milwaukee
Dive into the future of water careers with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and its innovative, youth-informed approach to workforce development. Explore how the region is tackling one of the most pressing yet overlooked sectors—water infrastructure—through career pathway mapping, targeted recruitment campaigns, and engaging, youth-designed materials. Learn how MMSD is building awareness, breaking down barriers to entry, and creating real opportunities in this vital and expanding field, where environmental stewardship meets sustainable employment.
Throughout the agenda, you’ll explore programs reshaping access to employment:
The Early Childhood Workforce Connector and its apprenticeship partners building a future-ready childcare pipeline.
Brighter Futures, a youth initiative investing in teens with skills, support, and work-based learning.
Reentry strategies and the powerful lessons embedded in our interactive simulation.
And sessions on workforce wellbeing, designed to keep the people in our field as supported as the communities we serve.
But this convening isn’t just about learning, it’s about belonging. Whether it's conversations over lunch, shared reflections during a tour, or reconnecting at our evening social at the Iron Horse Hotel, every moment is crafted to spark insight and build community.
With heartfelt thanks to our convening sponsors—NAWB, CAEL, QuickStart Academy, SkillTrade, Lightcast, the Foundation for Talent Transformation, and Association of General Contractors of Milwaukee—this gathering would not be possible without your generous support.
Registration closes May 15th, part of the movement. Let’s rise together.
