Preliminary construction on Milwaukee’s premiere table tennis club SPiN Milwaukee began this week, with full construction to begin by June 15. The 16,500 square foot table tennis club is located at 233 E. Chicago St., in Milwaukee’s Third Ward District. The facility is the first franchise established by the New York City-based business.
Scott Meyer, president and chief executive officer of QPS Employment Group in Brookfield was instrumental in bringing the club to Milwaukee and serves as SPiN Milwaukee’s board chairman.
“I had taken a trip to New York over the holidays last December,” Meyer said. “We had two plans, one was to ice skate in Rockefeller Center and the second was to visit SPiN New York, because we had seen a television spot about the new club.”
SPiN Milwaukee will feature 12 “pay to play” ping pong tables and an additional 13th table in the center with stadium-style seating, said Jill Wellskopf, director of marketing and events for SPiN Milwaukee.
“We’ll also have two private event rooms with their own tables, locker rooms, showers a pro shop, lounge bar and a restaurant that will be open for lunch and dinner daily,” she said.
SPiN Milwaukee has partnered with the Shorewood Table Tennis Club, and plans to host tournaments and leagues shortly after the opening. Private and group instruction will also be available.
The New York Club was co-founded by A-List celebrity Susan Sarandon, who played a pretty significant role in deciding the fate of the Milwaukee franchise, Meyer said.
“I’m sure they get multiple requests to develop franchises on a daily basis,” he said. “But we stuck with it, showed them our space and our credentials and they finally agreed.”
The build out of the space should be completed by late August, and a soft opening is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 21, Meyer said.
A grand opening celebration is scheduled for September, in which Meyer hopes Sarandon will be able to attend. Those interested can become members of SPiN Milwaukee, but membership is not required.
“The club atmosphere will really appeal to a lot of different people,” Meyer said. “In that regards we will closely model the New York Club. When I visited, there was everyone from A-List celebrities like Lil Wayne and Lauren Hutton, 20 somethings on their first date and a 70 year old couple who still enjoy the game.”
To see a video interview with Meyer and Wellskopf in the new space click below.

Ryan Braun’s Waterfront restaurant has unveiled the plans for its first phase of construction for its new patio dining area.
The new plans will feature two horseshoe couches that add seating for 18, a bar that will consist of translucent, backlit panels, a concrete top and bamboo on the backside which will match the inside main bar. The patio will now seat 90 for lunch, dinner, happy hour or Sunday brunch.
“We knew we had a unique concept for the restaurant, and with the combination of the waterfront location and Ryan’s name, it was important for us to carry the uniqueness to our outdoor dining,” said Craig Martin, general manager. “We were fortunate to work with some of the best designers and contractors that allowed us to get the patio completed in time for the upcoming summer festivals.”
George Welsh of Welsh Construction and Wade Weissmann of Wade Weissmann Architecture were commissioned to build and design the area.
“When I was approached to work on this project, I knew we needed a designer that is an artistic thinker,” said Welsh. “Wade can visualize immediately what needs to be done and then he just starts drawing, sometimes on a notepad or a napkin – whatever is closest. That’s what happened with patio.”
Welsh and Weissmann’s, along with Peabody’s Interior Design, first assignment together was to design the interior of the restaurant, where they developed a lighter and brighter feel and a flow that worked for both guests and staff. “We created an atmosphere that appealed to women who like the clean, chic décor and men who like the fact its Ryan Braun’s restaurant with big screen televisions.” said Weissmann. “It’s not a sports bar by any means. We wanted guests to feel a touch of home, where they wanted to relax and enjoy themselves over a great meal.”
The second phase of the patio will consist of cabanas and a private area off of the VIP Lounge, and is expected to be completed by July.

Sussex-based Quad Graphics, Inc., recently launched the Quad/Graphics Digital Edition platforms which would give Quad/Graphic clients the ability to distribute content by print, mail, digital editions and branded apple applications for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
"Our new Quad/Graphics iPad App solution is all about creating value for our clients and helping them engage and connect with customers in new ways, as well as generate revenue by enhancing print communications," said Joel Quadracci, chairman, president & CEO. "This new branded app solution for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is the latest example of how Quad/Graphics is uniquely positioned to partner with our clients to manage and optimize their content across multiple media channels and platforms."
The application, developed by Quad/Graphic ePublishing partner, YUDU Media, focuses on the easiest user experience and serves as an extension of the company’s pre-media services. Magazines, catalogs and retailers who wish to reach a wider audience base can take advantage of the service by having Quad/Graphics’ technicians convert and reformat the content supplied by magazine publishers and marketers in order to publish to the app. 
The apps are made available online at the Apple store, where Quad/Graphics clients can provide them for free or set their own sale price. The apps can produce a page-layout view of the magazine text and media or can also produce a customizable text only version.

Klements Sausage has been named the official sausage of Summerfest, a first-of-a-kind designation in the organization’s history. Summerfest also recently released the new Summerfest application for iPhone, launching the organization into the mobile technology age.
Fans can customize their Summerfest music experience by using the new app to build their own personalized “must see” festival schedule.  They can scroll through the entire Summerfest lineup by day or by stage and add or remove performances to their “must see” schedule as well as click on the individual performer to connect with the artist’s website and music. 
The application also allows visitors to see an “on stage now” list and a festival map to help in navigating the Summerfest grounds.
The app is free and now available for download through iTunes or in the iPhone App Store.
Klement’s will promote its designation as the official sausage of Summerfest on packaging at retail locations and in advertising.  As part of the deal, Klement’s will offer Summerfest fan’s free admission on Wednesday, June 30 between 12 and 3 p.m. if they bring a Klement’s product label and a non-perishable food item for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission.
“Summerfest is about great music, great times and great food,” said Jack Belke, executive vice president of Klement’s.  “We’re proud to be a part of that.”
Summerfest 2010 will take place Thursday, June 24  through Sunday, July 4 from noon until midnight daily.
For more information or stage lineups visit Summerfest.com.

Potawatomi Bingo Casino will receive the Corporate Social Responsibility Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) on Friday, June 11.
Awards are given annually to individuals and organizations in a number of categories to recognize their work in addressing the issue of problem gambling.
“Advocating responsible gambling is our Casino’s number one social priority,” said Mike Goodrich, general manager of Potawatomi Bingo Casino. “We’re extremely proud to be honored for our efforts, but we will not rest on our laurels. Gambling should always be looked at as recreational. When it becomes a problem for our guests, we need to help connect them to the resources they can turn to for help.”
Potawatomi Bingo Casino has placed an increased emphasis on addressing the issue of problem gambling and has taken a variety of proactive approaches to combat the cause including contributing $140,000 to the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling since 2008.

Baensch Food Products will merge art and agriculture this summer by displaying a roadside culture stand in front of its facility on Humboldt and Locust. The Roadside Culture Stand initiative was started by the Wormfarm Institute. The initiative allows artists to design and build mobile farm stands that showcase the artists’ style and sell fresh local produce.  Ma Baensch’s roadside stand will debut during the Locust Street Festival on Sunday, June 13.
“The Roadside Culture Stand is a great way for the Riverwest community and passersby to experience local products as well as the work of local artists,” said Kim Wall, president of Baensch Food Products. “There are many talented people in this community who have a unique product or artistic concept and this is a wonderful way to share it with the community. I’m thrilled to be a part of this worthwhile endeavor.”
The stand was built and designed by local artist, Tory Tepp, an installation artist who specializes in earthworks. It will be open for business two days a week from June through October. The stand will feature jars of Ma Baensch herring, Fresh Is Best Natural Pet Food and produce from Rooftop Grow-Op, among other featured local items.
“We chose this location, in front of Ma Baensch, because of its visibility. It’s at the crossroads to everything – the east side, downtown and the north shore,” said Stacy LaPoint, site coordinator for the Roadside Culture Stand. “This stand brings awareness as well as an entrepreneurial outlet to local artisan goods and a burgeoning local food system.”
The Roadside Culture Stand is funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board in support of the Wormfarm Institute. There are four stands in Wisconsin: two located in Milwaukee, one in Mineral Point and one in Baraboo. Each stand will have a home base and will also travel to local festivals and county fairs.

An evening with the arts in Milwuakee
MKE Live in partnership with the Southeastern Wisconsin Arts Guild will host An Evening with the Arts at Discovery World Pier Wisconsin’s Pilot house, 500 N. Harbor Drive, on Monday, June 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The evening will feature members of the Milwaukee Arts and Entertainment community engaging business leaders on topics like The Art of Improv, Some Reflections on a Life in Theatre, Guerilla Music-Making and Neighborhood Arts Advocacy and much more.  “It is the first in a series of events designed to integrate the Arts and Business communities together to form a mutually-beneficial cultural alliance,” said Dan Laske, President of the Southeastern WI Arts Guild.
“As an integral member of Milwaukee’s cultural community, we are proud to work with MKE Live and others to open our wonderful facility to the public,” said Richard Cieslak, marketing director for Discovery World. “Discovery World is truly a unique facility with a location along the lake front that is second to none.”
Cost to attend is $25 at the door or $20 if you pre-register at www.mkelive.com/calender.

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Golf outing
The Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce will hold its 28th annual golf outing, at Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex on Thursday, Aug. 5.  Attendees can enjoy a day of golf, raffle prizes, networking, and food. Cost to play is $600 per foursome and $165 per individual. To secure a spot, call the chamber at 262-786-1886 or email bcc@brookfieldchamber.com.

Last call to submit to the BizTimes launches 2010 Technology Directory
BizTimes Milwaukee is now accepting submissions to the second annual Technology Directory. This directory features metropolitan Milwaukee companies that offer products and services to assist in implementing cost-effective technology solutions for businesses. Companies listed in the directory offer the following products and services web hosting, web development, software development or integration, hardware, internet service and IT support. The 2010 BizTimes Technology Directory deadline is Monday, June 14. To submit your organization, go to www.biztimes.com/tech.  

Chamber after hours event to benefit Relay for Life
The West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After Hours event on Thursday, June 10 at the West Allis Community Media Center, 7210 W. Greenfield Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m.
Attendees can network with other chamber members and help support the West Allis Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society by purchasing a ‘hope’ bracelet for $1, entering the chamber’s raffle or by purchasing items from one of the vendors.
Cost to attend is $10, register by visiting: www.wawmchamber.com

In commemoration of the company’s 30-year history, Milwaukee-based Midland Video Productions has launched a company blog that features a series of videos and outtakes from the production company’s archives. This week, Midland Video reminisces about times when employee family members appeared as extras in various video shoots. Check out this week’s blog here

RedPrairie bolsters executive team
RedPrairie Corp. has appointed Joe Juliano to the position of president, Americas, and Doug Braun to the position of president, global operations.
Both will report to chief executive officer Mike Mayoras, and are members of RedPrairie’s executive leadership team.
Juliano will be responsible for RedPrairie’s sales and services organization in the Americas region. He comes to RedPrairie with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the technology and services sector. Most recently he served as CEO of PrimeRevenue, Inc.
Braun, a 16 year RedPrairie veteran, will be responsible for coordinating product development with sales and services, growing hosting and managed services, and creating a consistent framework for services delivery, among other accountabilities.
“Strong and effective leaders are critical to the growth of our company and I’m pleased to welcome Joe to RedPrairie and announce Doug’s new role,” Mayoras said. “Throughout their careers, Joe and Doug have successfully built high-performing teams that are extremely customer-focused.  Both have a keen sense of how technology can make businesses more productive, competitive, and efficient – and I look forward to working with them in their new roles.”
RedPrairie is based in the town of Brookfield.

Legal Services
The law firm of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. has added two attorneys to its Milwaukee office. Lydia Chartre concentrates her practice in the areas of condominium law, collections, creditor-side bankruptcy, business law, commercial litigation and appellate law. Tom Ewing returns to WHD after serving as General Counsel for a privately owned company and as a division General Counsel for a Fortune 100 company. He will focus his practice in litigation and business counseling.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. has added James  Morrow , intellectual property attorney, to its Milwaukee office. He has nearly 25 years of experience, and his practice includes IP infringement risk assessment and evaluation, IP litigation, IP agreement negotiation and intellectual capital protection counseling.

Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Milwaukee, has announced that shareholder William Duffin, a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, has been elected president of the Seventh Circuit Bar Association. Duffin previously served as first vice president and second vice president for the Seventh Circuit Bar Association.

Professional Services
Patient Care, Milwaukee, recently added Vijay Thacker to its senior management team as vice president of advocacy. He will be responsible for the operation of the company’s base of business – providing advocacy to over one million members across the country. In addition, Kevin Lindbergh was promoted from director of consumerism to vice president of consumerism and Emily Penner was promoted from director of marketing and communications to vice president of Marketing and Communications.

Real Estate
Real estate agents, Paolo Iazzi and Brian and Nina Kraus recently joined the North Shore office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

“In short, many of these folks are angry, frightened, and are lashing out against forces they do not understand. But this is more than an adherence to conspiracy theories or frustration with a weak economy. In my opinion, the birthers and many tea party folks are reacting to the shift of power that they are witnessing, but cannot define.”
Bob Chernow, financial industry professional
Read the Full Milwaukee Biz Blog: What is really driving the tea party movement?

Check out the week ahead for Milwaukee's performing arts and music scene by visiting Third Coast Digest, a media partner of BizTimes Milwaukee.

1. “Mojo,” by Marshall Goldsmith, Mark Reiter
2. “Switch,” by Chip Heath, Dan Heath
3. “Return of the Gold,” by Dan Bickley
4. “Instant Wealth Wake Up Rich!,” by Christopher Howard
5. “Linchpin,” by Seth Godin, Jessica Hagy, Hugh MacLeod

Courtesy of 800 CEO Read

• Monday, June 21 Wisconsin Lutheran High School will host its 20th annual Friends of Wisco Golf Outing at Evergreen Golf Club in Elkhorn. Proceeds from the outing will go towards the purchase of 14-passenger vans for the high school Registration is limited and will be booked on a first come basis. For more information or to register visit wlhs.org and click on the golf outing link.
• Thursday, June 10 Cardinal Stritch University will host its annual Summer Festival at the Joan Steele Stein Center for Communication Studies and Fine Arts on the Cardinal Stritch campus, 6801 N. Yates Road, from 5 until 8 p.m. Celebrate the beginning of summer with the University. All proceeds from the event go to benefit the art department and art scholarships. The event will feature wine tastings, student and faculty art sale, and live music. Cost to attend is $20. To register or for more information visit: www.stritch.edu/summerfestival or call (414) 410-4939.
• Friday, June 11 The Women Business Owners of Milwaukee will sponsor a business building workshop with national speakers Raymond Reese and Brian Tracy at Hotel Metro in downtown Milwaukee from 7 to 9 a.m. The seminar topic is entitled, Would you like to double your business without working twice as hard. Cost to attend is $20. To register, email Cheryl Muskus at cmuskus@muskusmgmt.com or register online here.
• Wednesday, July 21 The Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual BIG One Golf Outing at Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex. Registration is now open, for more information visit www.waukesha.org
• Monday, July 26 Clement Manor will host its 10th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at the Wisconsin Country Club, 6200 W. Good Hope Rd. Participation in the outing will support Alzheimer’s and dementia care programs and services for Clement Manor residents, families, staff and community. Those interested can choose to play in the outing, become a sponsor, provide auction items, or make cash donations. To register, visit www.clementmanor.com. For questions or for further information, please call Maria Watson at 414-546-7351 or email development@clementmanor.com.

The Wisconsin Historical Society recently held the 5th annual Wisconsin History Makers Gala honoring Will Allen, Michael Leckrone, Robert Spitzer and Frederick Stratton Jr.

Check out this week's BizTimes Around Town

Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13 The Milwaukee Bead & Button Show will be held at the Frontier Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. For more information click here

Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13 Pridefest will be held at the Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive, Cost to attend is $15 or $13 in advance. Click here for more information.

Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13 The Milwaukee Air and Water Show will be held on Milwaukee’s Lakefront. The show will start at 10:30 a.m. daily and a special night air show will be held on Friday beginning at 3:30 p.m. with the Navy Blue Angels. Show will conclude with a fireworks finale. For information on tickets or reserved seating visit here

Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13 The Milwaukee Brewers will take on the Texas Rangers in a home series at Miller Park. For tickets and game time information visit www.brewers.com


Saturday, June 12 Gathering Waters Festival will be held at Lakeshore State Park, just off the coast from the Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive. Cost to attend is free.

Saturday, June 12 Milwaukee Firken Beer Festival will be held downtown Milwaukee at Cathedral Square Park from 3 to 7 p.m. Attendees can enjoy unlimited samples from more than 50 local craft breweries. They will also receive a Milwaukee Firkin sampling glass and be able to enjoy live music and food. Cost to attend is $39 or $15 for a designated driver. Tickets and more information can be found here