Top minority, woman and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses were recognized for their success at 37th annual MARKETPLACE conference

MADISON, WI. DEC. 13, 2018 – Nine Wisconsin businesses received top honors in the 2018 MARKETPLACE Governor’s Awards competition, which recognizes outstanding businesses owned by minorities, women and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

The awards were presented by Governor Scott Walker and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) on Thursday, December 13, at MARKETPLACE 2018, the Governor’s Conference on Minority Business Development, which was held at the Potawatomi
Expo Center in Milwaukee.

More than 600 people attended MARKETPLACE 2018 and the Wisconsin Small Business Academy, a companion event for new businesses and entrepreneurs. The 5th annual Small Business Academy featured opening remarks by Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch followed by workshops and roundtables covering business financing, marketing and operations.

The MARKETPLACE Outstanding Business Awards recognize Wisconsin businesses that show overall business excellence in sales growth, product innovation, employment and management. Those awards have two categories, one for businesses with more than 25 employees and one for small businesses with 25 or fewer employees. The Rising Star Awards recognizes the achievements of businesses operating less than five years that have demonstrated strong growth potential.

All winners are Wisconsin-based companies certified as being minority (MBE), woman (WBE) or disabled veteran (DVB) business enterprises.

The 2018 Outstanding Business award winners are:

  • MARS IT Corp., dba MARS Solutions Group (Wauwatosa) – MBE
  • Quintec Integration, Inc. (Waukesha) – MBE
  • Duwe Metal Products, Inc. (Menomonee Falls) – WBE
  • Stormwater Solutions Engineering, LLC (Milwaukee) – WBE
  • U.S. Vet General Contracting, LLC (McFarland) – DVB
  • STATZ Corporation (Cross Plains) – DVB

The 2018 Rising Star award winners are:

  • Aeroforce Logistics, LLC (Milwaukee) – DVB
  • Brainchild Studios, LLC (Milwaukee) – WBE
  • Dakonte Product Group, Inc. (Milwaukee) – MBE

The winners and finalists were recognized at the Thursday luncheon attended by Governor Scott Walker and over 500 conference attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and awardee guests.

MARKETPLACE is the premier statewide business capacity building conference of the year for minority, woman and veteran businesses looking to do business with state, federal and local agencies as well as corporations. The conference provided opportunities for businesses to meet with potential buyers, identify funding sources, and connect with business assistance resources while networking with other businesses. The event website www.MarketplaceWisconsin.com will soon have pictures and video of the event along with descriptions of the awards and winners.