Northwestern Mutual conference is back in town this weekend. Here’s what to know

If you thought the Republican National Convention leaving town meant the end of thousands of visitors wandering downtown Milwaukee in business wear, think again.

The Northwestern Mutual annual conference is back this weekend. More than 12,000 employees and agents of the Milwaukee-based insurance and financial services company will gather downtown for the multi-day event.

Here’s everything you need to know about the conference — including what’s up with those long ribbons many of the employees will be sporting.

How long is the Northwestern Mutual conference?

The conference will run from July 20 to 23. The gathering is typically held at Fiserv Forum and the Baird Center but will be on the Summerfest grounds this year — because takedown of the RNC is still underway at those facilities.

What happens during the Northwestern Mutual conference?

Employees and agents will spend most of their time in Milwaukee attending company meetings and events.

But it’s not all work: the company also dishes out on big-ticket headliners to entertain employees. Last year, country music star Kenny Chesney put on a private concert for the convention-goers. The company is keeping with the country music theme this year, with singer Eric Church scheduled to headline, the Milwaukee Business Journal reported.

What are those ribbons all the Northwestern Mutual people wear?

When you see the ribbons, you know Northwestern Mutual is in town.

Throughout the conference, Northwestern Mutual agents will wear lanyards with colorful ribbons that sometimes extend almost all the way to the floor. The ribbons denote sales goals achieved, benchmarks passed, accomplishments made, and employees earn them over their time at the company.