Wisecarver Public Relations Celebrates Chamber Ribbon Cutting in Fairfield

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Wisecarver Public Relations with an official Ribbon Cutting at Petra Park.

Owner Kelly Wisecarver greeted Chamber Ambassadors, friends, family and community members who gathered to celebrate the occasion. During the ceremony, Kelly shared the story behind her business and the career path that has brought her back to Southeast Iowa.

Wisecarver Public Relations was founded 26 years ago in Chicago. Before launching her own firm, Kelly worked in marketing, advertising and public relations, initially building her business around hospitality and restaurant clients.

When the business environment changed following September 11, 2001, Kelly began diversifying her client base. That shift ultimately opened the door to a wide range of industries and opportunities.

Today, her work includes public relations, social media, event management and strategic communications for clients in architecture, construction, commercial real estate and retail. One of her largest longtime clients is Jewel-Osco, the Illinois grocery chain with more than 180 stores. Kelly also produces large community events for the company, managing the many logistics that come with gatherings ranging from several hundred to thousands of attendees.

At the ribbon cutting, Kelly described public relations in simple terms as helping businesses and organizations “get in the news,” while also using social media and events to increase visibility and connect with their audiences.

Coming Back to Southeast Iowa

Kelly was born and raised in Libertyville, just a few miles from Fairfield, but left the area at age 18 and had not lived locally since.

Over the years, she has called Connecticut, Chicago and Wisconsin home. More recently, frequent travel between Wisconsin, Chicago and Southeast Iowa prompted her to look for another home base.

Rather than choosing somewhere in between, she chose to come home.

Kelly said returning to the area has given her an entirely new perspective. Having left as a teenager, she joked that she had little idea at the time what the local business community looked like. Now she is enjoying rediscovering the area, learning about Fairfield businesses and seeing the new development and activity taking place throughout the community.

She shared that she is especially excited to meet local business owners, build relationships and become involved in the Fairfield community.

Following the Ribbon Cutting, Kelly continued the celebration by inviting those in attendance to her new home for a housewarming gathering.

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Wisecarver Public Relations as a new Chamber member and congratulates Kelly on this new chapter for both her business and her return to Southeast Iowa.