milling events/trade show in wisconsin, minnesota?

[JP Wazz]

we bought  the sawmill last year and my wife and i have done pretty good so far learning our way around the machine sawing some elm and poplar logs that will become pallets for drying.
 since getting the machine last year though we have stacked a lot of logs from friends and neighbors that are waiting to be milled and I'm wondering is there anything like a threshing bee or industry trade show near me in northwest wisconsin where we can talk to and maybe be a bit educated by people that have done this for a while. 
 when i search the internet for "sawmill club" or "sawyer group" i get lots of health clubs and law firms.
 just yesterday we hauled home some black walnut,  1 log in particular is 20" diameter 13' long with a really nice looking deformity/crotch at the top end that likely has some neat looking grain inside and i would hate to just mill it into boards.
 

[Old Greenhorn]

I'd suggest doing a lot of reading here and going back through older posts. There is a LOT of priceless information to be found from some terrific sawyers. You just have to sit back and read. We've seen a lot of innovative and instructive ideas pass under a sawblade here over the years and it's all still there for the reading.

[WV Sawmiller]

  I suggest you contact the manufacturer of your and other mills and ask if they have any upcoming shows or demos in the area and try to go watch and ask questions there.

    See if there are other mill owners in the area and talk with them. You may not know this but many sawmillers love to talk. Maybe go off-bear for them and watch and ask questions.

    Visit the Woodmizer.com site and look at their Find a local sawyer. (They are the only manufacturer I have found that offer this service.)  That's a good source to find other millers nearby.

    Check the internet for mills near you and see if you find others you can go watch.

    Watch videos of others milling and look for tips there. Yellowhammer, the Old Jarhead and others have many on the web available.

    Watch for little things such as log placement, material handling and set up steps the sawyer takes. Little things save you time and energy. The dumbest miller out there may have some labor saving tip that helps make your life easier and more efficient. Look for such because often they are just part of the sawyers daily routine and he never thinks to mention it but you can see how it helps.

  Even if it a different type mill the process is the same. Loading with hydraulics is easier than a manual mill but it still is just getting the log on the mill, turning, leveling and clamping it so the end result should be the same.

    Good luck.

[Stephen1]

You really have come to the right place. All really honest and good info here. No, yahoos chirping about do this or that. Just solid info. Spend time here, get involved on the posts and ask questions. If you have a specific question step up and ask it, You'll have an a few really good answers by tomorrow. 
Because you're new to sawing and your mill, try to mill with a purpose for the wood, not because it might have good figure in it. 
The walnut log sounds great, but what will you use it for? 

[Resonator]

As said, tons of good info on the Forum here to learn from, and some good You Tube videos to cover the basics. 
I don't know of any shows in northwest WI. I know there is a big logging expo in Escanaba MI in September. I'm located in central WI, and I know there are band and circle mills set up in Edgar at the tractor show in August. 
I know there are few different sawmill businesses in the twin cities that do urban forestry. Could also check with Forum members FluidPowerPro or Barbender if they'd have any info, they are in Minnesota somewhat close to you.