Future Neenah recently recognized individuals and businesses that have contributed to the quality of life in the community in 2023 through partnering with the organization.
Plexus Corp. is being recognized as the Future Neenah Champion of the year for its dedication and contributions to promoting the economic and cultural vitality of Neenah. Plexus hosted the Future Neenah 40th anniversary gala at the Neenah Design Center, is an active participant in the Shattuck Park concerts and provides leadership through Plexus employee Megan Schleicher role on the Future Neenah Board,
“We are fortunate to have a partnership with Plexus. They have extraordinary leadership, impact, and commitment to driving positive change in our community and we are thrilled to honor Plexus Corp. as this year’s Future Neenah Champion.” said Brent Bowman, Future Neenah Executive Director.
Sunset Hill Stoneware is being recognized for celebrating 25 years of excellence, community engagement and showing hometown Neenah pride. Sunset Hill Stoneware, a family business, designs custom stoneware including coffee mugs and beer steins which are hand crafted in Neenah. Sunset Hill provided mugs for our 40th anniversary and Log Your Loops scavenger hunt, as well as Neenah mugs revisiting Future Neenah’s old city scape logo. Future Neenah also collaborates with the business to order the highly sought after Warm Your Heart mugs each year.
“Sunset Hill Stoneware represents Neenah with a true sense of pride, and we are grateful for their support of our organization,” Bowman said.
Future Neenah is recognizing the city of Neenah as the Civic Partner of the Year for 150 years of visionary leadership, outstanding contributions, and impactful initiatives. In 2023, Future Neenah and the City of Neenah worked together to accomplish Neenah’s very first Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in conjunction with our two summer street concerts. They also brought fireworks to our final concert of the summer celebrating the city’s 150th and Future Neenah’s 40th anniversary year.
Downtown Business of the Year Award: Grainworks Old + New: Local Bourbon Market was honored as Downtown Business of the Year. Grainworks moved into the district in 2022 and fully embraced the ‘Downtown Unequaled’ brand. They participate in all the downtown community events and activities and host special events of their own like tastings, ticket pulls for bourbon bottles, collecting Toys for Tots and supporting local pet rescues. In 2023, Grainworks hosted a bourbon tasting at the 40th anniversary celebration gala and have been generous in other ways as well.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Santiago Sanchez. He shares his time and talents providing photography for many of the Future Neenah special events and concert series. He was also one of Future Neenah’s social Neenah program designed to capture the community in photos.
Bowman said, “Santiago exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism, and we thank him for preserving our memories and helping us capture all the fun in Neenah.”
