Muskego Businesses Turn Out for Jammin' Meeting

You could say they were indeed Jammin' on Janesville at the on Thursday night as the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism invited the business community (whether they were chamber members or not) to get more information on the summer event.

A standing room only crowd heard about how the chamber was planning to "make it bigger, and more powerful" for all businesses on Janesville, as well as any from other parts of the city. A marketing effort that has been stepped up from last year, including expanded sponsorship opportunities and a push to involve schools and non profits in the events.

What may not survive the changes, however is the trolley, according to event coordinator Cassandra Wurster.

"A big concern we will have for 2012 is transportation, and that will mean we need more vehicles on the road," Wurster explained. "As much as people loved the trolleys last year, however, they are expensive."

Wurster stressed they were still looking at all options, and much of what is done for promoting the event will fall on the amount of sponsors they have. Businesses can opt in to sponsor for as little as $100 to be featured as an activity sponsor, or as much as $6,500 for a media sponsor/partnership.

The stress will remain to keep parking off of Janesville Road, and a new parking area has been added at Muskego High School, where shuttles will pick up festival goers. The biggest wildcard in all of the planning, aside from the weather, will be the state of road construction, which is the point of relieving traffic congestion.

New this year, a $1 menu is being promoted among all businesses to keep foot traffic going from site to site. "Last year, there were places that people went to, ate, and stayed there," Wurster said. "We'd really like to encourage people to go from place to place to sample smaller portions so they can get to see more of the businesses along the route."

Businesses that wish to participate in marketing efforts by becoming a sponsor need to submit their application and payment by March 12, 2012. Forms and further details are available on the Muskego Chamber's website.

The events will again take place on the first Fridays of June (1st), July (6th) and August (3rd), from 5 to 9pm.