MILWAUKEE, WI – September 16, 2024 – Corporate Central's Economic Outlook Conference, held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at The Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee, WI, brought together over 75 credit union leaders for a day of insightful presentations and expert discussions on the current and future economic landscape. The conference aimed to provide members with valuable insights to help guide their 2025 planning efforts.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from a diverse lineup of expert speakers who covered topics ranging from economic trends to artificial intelligence and generational shifts in the workplace.
Dale Knapp, Director of Research and Analytics at Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and Director of Forward Analytics, kicked off the event with a presentation on Wisconsin’s Economy: Exploring Strengths and Weaknesses. Knapp provided a detailed analysis of how Wisconsin’s economy has remained strong for over a decade, while identifying underlying weaknesses that could affect the state’s future economic path.
Kim Lear, Founder of Inlay Insights and the event’s keynote speaker, captivated the audience with her presentation, Prepare for the Future: Building Strong Relationships Across Generational Lines. Lear’s unique approach to forecasting provided insights into how aspirations, values, and work have evolved over time and how organizations can build stronger relationships with members through bold, forward-thinking strategies.
Ben Royce, AI Services Manager at Google Cloud, followed with a highly engaging session titled What You Need to Know About AI. Royce shared his knowledge on the impact of artificial intelligence in financial services and beyond, offering practical guidance on navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The conference concluded with Steve Rick, Director and Chief Economist at TruStage, who presented U.S. Economic Outlook and its Impact on Credit Unions. Rick’s analysis of global and U.S. economic trends provided credit unions with a comprehensive overview of the factors likely to influence credit union performance into 2025.
"This year’s Economic Outlook Conference brought together top-notch experts and a wealth of valuable information for our member credit unions,” said Chris Felton, President/CEO. “As we look ahead to 2025, the insights shared by our speakers will be instrumental in helping credit unions make informed decisions and position themselves for success in a rapidly changing economic environment. We are thrilled with the turnout and the positive feedback from attendees."
The event was proudly sponsored by QuantyPhi and SimpliCD, whose support helped make the conference a resounding success.