Meet the Speakers - Wisconsin Women in Lodging Retreat

Senator Melissa Agard and AHLA’s Sharon Sykes will be the featured speakers during breakfast with the Wisconsin Women in Lodging. The breakfast is a part of the first-ever WWIL Retreat which will be held on February 29 - March 1 at The Stella Hotel in Kenosha!

View the event schedule and register now

WWIL Breakfast Speakers

Senator Melissa Agard

Senator Melissa Agard was first elected to represent the 48th District in November 2012 and is currently serving her fifth term in the Wisconsin State Legislature, representing the 16th Senate District, which encompasses parts of eastern Dane County.
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She has held multiple leadership positions while working at the capitol, including the Minority Leader in 2023 and 2021 (effective 11/16/22), and the Minority Caucus Vice Chair 2021. Currently, Senator Agard serves on the Committee on Education, the Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, the Committee on Government Operations, the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, and the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement System. She is a member of the Council on Domestic Abuse, Wisconsin Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, and the Women's Council.

Senator Agard has received numerous awards and accolades, including: 

• National Foundation of Women Legislators - Woman of Distinction
• Eleanor Roosevelt Awards - Local Elected Official Nominee
• Citizen Action of Wisconsin - Achievement Award
• Women in Government - State Director
• Women in Legislative Leadership - State Director

Sharon Sykes

​Sharon Sykes is the director of state and local government affairs for the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), covering the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. She works closely with AHLA state lodging association members to further elevate the industry’s advocacy effectiveness.  She is also active with AHLA’s women's advancement initiative - FORWARD.

Prior to joining AHLA, Sharon was the Grassroots Manager for the National Federation of Independent Business after managing advocacy campaigns throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. She has orchestrated public policy issue campaigns in multiple states with an emphasis on labor and taxes.

WWIL Retreat Schedule

February 29

6:00 pm | Reception
Cocktails and conversation

6:30 pm | Wine Dinner
Four-course wine dinner featuring Simi Winery, games, and giveaways

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March 1

8:30 am | Breakfast
Speakers: Senator Melissa Agard and Sharon Sykes (AHLA)

10:00 am | Event concludes

Register Now

Registration closes at 10 am on 2/26 or when capacity is reached.

Email [email protected] with any questions. 

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