2025 Chamber Luncheon - Economic Outlook

Don't miss this crucial economic briefing! Ron Wirtz, Regional Outreach Director for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, is presenting a timely discussion on the economic forces shaping our region.

Ron Wirtz is an expert on current business conditions across the six-state Ninth Federal Reserve District, which includes northwest Wisconsin. As a central contributor to the Fed's influential Beige Book report, he brings unparalleled, real-time insights directly to our local business community and elected officials.

What You Will Learn

This session will provide a detailed, unbiased look at current economic conditions in Wisconsin. Ron will present analysis focusing on the state of the regional economy, specifically addressing:

• Labor Market Dynamics: Deep dive into local employment, wage trends, and the ongoing challenges related to labor availability that impact long-term growth.

• Sector Performance: Key updates on critical sectors.

• Inflation and Outlook: A clear assessment of current inflation pressures and the regional economic outlook for the next 12 to 18 months.

Interactive Local Sentiment Survey

This is more than just a lecture; it's a critical data-gathering opportunity. We will conduct a live, anonymous interactive survey during the session to capture local sentiment on:

• Business activity and sales expectations.

• Hiring demand and labor availability.

• Pricing pressures and inflation outlook.

Your participation ensures that local Wisconsin experiences contribute directly to the discussion.

Key Takeaways

Attendees will walk away with:

• Direct Insight from a Federal Reserve official, giving you the context needed for strategic decisions.

• Actionable Data on regional labor force trends and economic headwinds.

• The Opportunity to Share and Compare your firm's outlook with local peers through the live survey results.