Tips from 2011 Team of the Year Captain, Steve Smith of Rockwell Automation

Spring can indeed be the cruelest season in Wisconsin, with any semblance of warmth held at bay by rain/sleet...even snow...right on up until May!  For the past decade, I've marked the "UPAF equinox" in early April as the official start of the bike riding season.

It's around this time that the Rockwell Automation team moves into gear for another Ride for the Arts campaign. Thinking about bikes and remembering the beautiful routes, comradery and fun helps moderate whatever weather may be whipping around the windows. 

Start with the most important thing first: Select an incentive! 

By promoting an extra incentive in the registration bags, we have built a growing cadre of riders. Typically the item is "small", like a logo'd water bottle or even a disposable camera. Rockwell Automation management has also been extremely generous and supportive of the ride, offering funding to help defray the registration fees for employees and their families. Once these important internal logistics are confirmed...

Q: How did your organization first get involved with the Ride?
A: One of Allen Edmonds key commitments is to maintain a relationship with the Milwaukee Community. We support several organizations both here, and outside the market through various corporate efforts. We first became involved with UPAF because of that commitment to supporting charity organizations, and Milwaukee's Fine and Cultural Arts Community has always been top of mind for all of us here at Allen Edmonds.

Q: Why do you choose to support the United Performing Arts Fund through the Ride?
A: UPAF is an important organization supporting the arts community here in Milwaukee. Whether it's the symphony, the theater or fine art, nearly all of our Executives (both past and present) have a background or involvement in the arts. In many ways we feel handcrafting our shoes here in Port Washington, Wisconsin in fact, an art form, and we are thrilled to support our fellow "artists" through the Ride for the Arts.

Q: Do you feel it is important for your company to stay involved in the community? If so, why?
A: One of our key commitments is supporting the Milwaukee area community. In fact since 2010 we have added over 160 jobs right here at our Port Washington manufacturing facility. But adding jobs is only just the start. This year marks our 90th Anniversary, and we are thrilled to say that we have been handcrafting shoes right here in port Wisconsin since 1922. We look forward to maintaining our commitment to this community for another 90 years and beyond through making our products here in Wisconsin, and supporting the arts community in and around the market.

Q: If your organization sends volunteers to participate, please tell us a little about what that represents to your employees.
A: Our co-workers always have a tremendous time with the UPAF Ride for the Arts. Many of our manufacturing and corporate co-workers "play a role" the day of the event, and they often refer to the ride as one of their favorite days of the summer.

Q: What's the best/most rewarding thing about supporting the Ride?
A: Every year we love watching riders make the stop at our oasis here at our Port Washington manufacturing facility. You have the opportunity to see first-hand the community coming out in support of UPAF and Milwaukee's Arts Community. It is very rewarding to see such a large turnout in support of cultural and fine arts here in Milwaukee.     

Q: What's the most challenging thing about supporting the Ride?
A: We have to wait a whole year to take part again!