Fluno Center on course

In a time when some companies are looking for ways to cut expenses, many continue to invest in their employees by sending them to the Fluno Center, home of the university Executive Education programs.

“We’re well ahead of our original projections,” says Ted Beck, associate dean for executive education in the School of Business. “Revenues and participation were slowed a bit by Sept. 11, but not as much as executive education programs at other schools.”

Beck oversees operations and projections for both the Fluno Center, a total-immersion facility with classrooms, dining and lodging, and Executive Education, a division of the School of Business offering public enrollment and custom training for companies and their managers.

The $24 million Fluno Center for Executive Education opened in spring 2000 using $18.4 million in bonds and private gifts, including a $3 million donation by Jere and Anne Fluno. Debt service and other costs for keeping the center up and running total about $1.5 million a year.

Keeping the center occupied, Executive Education offers nearly 300 public enrollment courses annually in business and managerial fields including strategy, management development, marketing and project management. Additionally, it has created ongoing, individually tailored programs for 35 companies and anticipates significant increases in its custom programming in the next two years.

Beck credits the affordable rates and wide-ranging course offerings for continuing to attract the business community. “We have one of the oldest and largest executive education programs in the country,” Beck says. “But we charge about half of what many other universities charge.”

Although the Fluno Center was created primarily for executive education programs, any university department can use the facilities for university-affiliated educational programs, board meetings and special events. The 100 guest rooms are available for special guests of the university or prospective employees, but not for public lodging.

The center is owned by the Center for Advanced Studies in Business Inc., a nonprofit corporation that supports the activities of the School of Business.

Beck says more than half of the center’s clients come from Wisconsin-based companies. The center also hosts the semi-annual Economic Outlook conference that focuses on the state’s economy.

“Supporting the growth of the Wisconsin state economy is a natural priority for us,” Beck says. “Our facility is a magnet for corporate involvement – and we’re running it without taxpayer help.”

The center is also amassing national prestige. In September, it hosted 170 executives from across the nation at the “Directors’ Summit,” which provided training on corporate governance.