2026 Regional Economic Conditions Conference
January 9, 2026 @ 9:00 am – 12:05 pm CST
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis will host its ninth annual Regional Economic Conditions Conference on January 9, 2026. The half-day conference will feature Xcel Energy’s Chairman, President, and CEO Bob Frenzel, who will talk with Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari about the economic challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. The conference will also feature presentations and panel discussions with representatives of each state in the Ninth Federal Reserve District, which includes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Agenda
9:00-9:05 am CT
Welcome and Context
Neel Kashkari, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
9:05-9:45 am CT
Fireside Chat
Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President, and CEO, Xcel Energy
Neel Kashkari, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
9:45-10:00 am CT
Presentation: Business Pulse Survey
Joseph Mahon, Regional Outreach Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
10:00-11:00 am CT
State Labor Force Overview
10:00–10:15: Angelina Nguyễn
Research Director, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
10:15–10:30: Matthew Kures
Community Economic Development Specialist and Researcher, University of Wisconsin–Madison
10:30–10:45: Debb Brunell
CEO, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
10:45–11:00: Moderated Discussion
Moderator: Ron Wirtz
Regional Outreach Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
11:00-11:05 am CT
Break
11:05-12:05 pm CT
State Economic Conditions
11:05–11:20: Joseph Santos
Professor and Director, Ness School of Management and Economics, South Dakota State University
11:20–11:35: David Flynn
Professor, Economics and Finance, University of North Dakota
11:35–11:50: Jeffrey Michael
Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana
11:50–12:05: Moderated Discussion
Moderator: Erick Garcia Luna
Regional Outreach Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis