2026 SEDCOR Mid-Valley Economic Summit
On the morning of April 23, business, government, and community leaders from across the Mid-Willamette Valley gathered at the Salem Convention Center for SEDCOR's Mid-Valley Economic Summit '26 — a fast-paced, high-impact program delivering timely insights on the forces shaping our regional economy.
Sponsored by title sponsor RWE, presenting sponsor Portland General Electric, supporting sponsors KeyBank, Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, Pacific Crest Real Estate Advisors, and Yamhill County Economic Alliance and contributing sponsor Business Oregon, the event drew a packed room eager to hear from some of the sharpest economic minds in the state.
Oregon's Prosperity Agenda: Tim Knopp, Governor's Prosperity Council
Tim Knopp, Chief Prosperity Officer of the Governor's Prosperity Council, kicked off the speaker lineup with remarks on Oregon's statewide prosperity agenda and the policy priorities driving economic opportunity across the state.
Macro Trends and the National Outlook: Tim Duy, SGH Macro Advisors
Economist Tim Duy of SGH Macro Advisors took a wide-angle view, walking attendees through national economic trends, key indicators, and what the broader macroeconomic environment means for businesses in the Mid-Valley and beyond.
View Tim Duy's presentation deck here
Oregon and the Region Up Close: Damon Runberg, Business Oregon
Damon Runberg, Economist at Business Oregon, brought the conversation home with a focused look at Oregon and regional economic conditions — the sectors growing, the challenges ahead, and where the Mid-Valley fits in the bigger picture.
View Damon Runberg's presentation deck here
Business Climate and Calls to Action: Preston Mann, Oregon Business & Industry
Preston Mann, VP of External Affairs at Oregon Business & Industry, outlined OBI's current priorities and offered concrete calls to action — practical steps businesses and community leaders can take to strengthen Oregon's economic environment.
View Preston Mann's presentation deck here
Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and the Future: Cara Turano, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Cara Turano, President & Executive Director of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, closed the speaker portion with an energizing look at entrepreneurship and innovation in Oregon. She challenged attendees to envision what the Mid-Valley's leading industries could focus on to drive the next wave of growth.
View Cara Turano's presentation deck here
Q&A and Closing
A lively audience Q&A session gave attendees the chance to dig deeper into the morning's themes, followed by closing remarks from SEDCOR President Erik Andersson.
We're grateful to our speakers, sponsors, and everyone who joined us for this year's Summit. Stay connected with SEDCOR for upcoming events and resources to help your business and our region thrive. Check out our event calendar here - sedcor.com/events