UW-Stevens Point Assistant Professor of Business-Entrepreneurship John Leschke presented at a half-day research symposium hosted by the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology (WIST) and UWSP on Tuesday, October 4. The event, Focal Point 2011: Celebrating a year of successful collaborations, included presentations by 10 university faculty and staff engaged in research toward sustainability solutions.
In his presentation, “Developing a Nature-based Business and Marketing Approach for Treehaven,” Leschke explained how a business model framework helps define opportunities for economic sustainability. Leschke’s BUS 421 Advanced Entrepreneurship class developed successful strategies for Treehaven (a residential natural resources education and conference facility located between Rhinelander and Tomahawk) by identifying problems and implementing solutions.
Ben Brancel, secretary of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, provided keynote remarks at a networking breakfast for university, business and civic leaders to begin the day at Focal Point.
In its first year of existence, WIST has supported early stage applied research that has potential to sustain and create new jobs in manufacturing, energy, water quality and sustainability. WIST biofuels research and the institute’s research into new, value-added uses of agricultural and forest resources aim to boost the state’s economy, areas that intersect with DATCP’s charge to help develop Wisconsin’s growing bio-industry. Focal Point 2011 provided an opportunity to meet and visit with professionals enthusiastic about and actively involved in helping grow Wisconsin’s economy through applied research and new market development.