Wisconsin Business Education Association
2008 Annual Convention
September 25 – 27, 2008
Paper Valley Hotel – Appleton

Tour #1 - Sound World/Audio Visual Lifestyles
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bus Leaves at 12:30; Returns at 2:15

Audio Video Lifestyles is a diverse group of individuals, with a combined 125 years of experience, who share a passion for Home Theaters, Lighting Control and Whole-House A/V Systems. We provide you with the highest level of support, from the initial consultation to project implementation and following through with our commitment to customer service. This tour will show you the new technologies used in setting up a home. Sit in a home theater and feel the difference state of equipment can make in viewing movies. Also, see the work that goes into the design and consultation of coming up with ideas for everyone’s home.

Tour #2 - Appleton Performing Arts Center
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Walking Tour - Leaves at 12:30; Returns at 2:00

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) opened in 2002 only 31 months after construction started in downtown Appleton. The facility has 2,100 seats which has no seat further than 108 feet from stage has played host to performances such as: Lion King, Stomp, and the upcoming performance of Wicked. This tour will show you behind the stage in the areas reserved for cast and crew as well as walking around the theater to get a feel for the room. Also included is a showing of Thrivent Financial Hall, Kimberly-Clark Theater, Founders Room and the lobby of the theater.

Tour #3 - Vande Walle's Candies
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bus Leaves at 2:30; Returns at 4:15

Across the country, the Vande Walle name is synonymous with award-winning chocolates, caramels, and their exquisite angelfood candy. Owned and operated by Don and Norma Vande Walle and their sons Don Jr., Steve, and Tom, their family business employs 30 people year round, and up to 50 during the holidays. The entire Vande Walle family and team of skilled candy makers are dedicated to making chocolates and confections of uncompromising quality. Some of the candy that you will see in the store includes:

• Heavenly Angelfood Candy, sometimes referred to as "food of the gods," is the one candy that Vande Walle’s is most known for.
• “Award-winning" wrapped caramels is another of Vande Walle's Candies hallmark confections that has been a true standout year after year.
• Hand Crafted Truffles, combining only the finest of ingredients in small batches, our skilled candy makers create truffles of extraordinary taste and texture daily. 

Tour #4 - Presto (Alcoa Consumer Products)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bus Leaves at 2:30; Returns at 4:15

Presto is a market-leading supplier of products ranging from private label food and disposer bags to packaging closures to soil stabilization materials to specialty stretch films. With entrepreneurial beginnings as a manufacturer of plastic bags and wrap, we are now a business of Alcoa Consumer Products. This combination gives us the strength and agility to provide leading-edge products and services that help our customers compete. Presto is organized into four dedicated business units, each unit focusing on the specialized needs of its own unique markets and customers.

• Consumer Business Unit: Presto is one of the nation's best-known and most widely respected manufacturers of private label products. We are the private label industry's leading supplier of plastic bags, wrap, containers and related consumer products.
• FRESH-LOCK Zipper Business Unit: Presto is a leader in reclosable zipper technology for the flexible packaging industry. Our FRESH-LOCK® brand zippers add convenience to a wide range of branded and private label packages, including snacks, pet food, potting soil and more.
• Geosystems Business Unit: One of Presto's most unique business units, Geosystems produces specialty products for slope and channel protection, load support and earth retention. These engineered materials are used by landscaping and construction industry clients worldwide.
• Industrial Films Business Unit: Presto is a high-quality producer of specialty products for business and agriculture, including stretch wrap, rubber compounding bags, and soil stabilization products.

This tour will provide you with an opportunity to tour the plant where Presto makes it plastic products as well as have a meeting with a sales manager to hear about how the organization has changed to stay current with today’s consumers.