Midwest Economy Conferences

Information about the Seventh Federal Reserve District states—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. Economic indicators, articles on Midwest issues, and information about conferences and projects.

Regional Agriculture

The Role of R&D in Agriculture and Related Industries: Today and Tomorrow

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held a conference on the role of research and development in agriculture, biotechnology and the food industry. It focused on policies that promote industry growth and rural development. This conference brought together those interested in research and development (R&D) issues facing agriculture and related sectors of industry, particularly biofuels and food manufacturing. The goals of the conference were to examine R&D from a midwestern perspective, explore the implications of R&D for industry growth and discuss the influence of government R&D policies on industries and rural development.

September 24, 2007
Announcement | Agenda

Globally Competitive Agriculture and the Midwest

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations (CCFR) held a joint conference at the Federal Reserve Bank on the linkages between global competition in agriculture and the Midwest on September 29, 2006. The conference also served as a forum for the Chicago release of the report from the CCFR Agriculture Task Force, co-chaired by Catherine Bertini, Former Undersecretary General for Management, The United Nations; August Schumacher, Former Undersecretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services and consultant, Food and Societies Initiative, Kellogg Foundation; and Robert L. Thompson, Gardner Chair in Agriculture Policy, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.

Papers and presentations from the conference are now available.

September 29, 2006
Announcement | Agenda

Ag Biotech and Midwest Rural Development

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held a conference on September 8, 2005, that dealt with issues related to agricultural biotechnology and rural development prospects in the Midwest. Some of the topics that were explored included the following: the future of ag biotechnology, biorefineries, the impacts of specific technologies (biofuels, cloning, pharmaceuticals, etc.), the roles of industry and financing and policies at various levels of government. The invited keynote speaker was Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

September 8, 2005
Announcement | Agenda

Agricultural and Rural Finance Markets in Transition

The Chicago Fed hosted a two-day meeting that focused on a wide variety of topics related to agricultural and rural finance.

October 4, 2004, to October 5, 2004
Announcement | Agenda

The Changing Rural Economy of the Midwest

An examination of the performance of and prospects for rural areas in the Midwest.

March 8, 1996
Conference Summary (PDF,341KB) | Conference Proceedings and Papers

Regional Banking

No associated conference(s)

Regional Community Development

No associated conference(s)

Regional Economic Cycles

No associated conference(s)

Regional Education

Can Higher Education Foster Economic Growth?

On October 30, 2006, the Chicago Fed hosted a conference, titled "Can Higher Education Foster Economic Growth?," on the role of higher education in promoting economic growth. This was the second conference in a Chicago Fed series exploring higher education's influence in regional economic development. Topics included work force development, technology transfer and the ability of universities to improve technology utilization in existing industries.

Announcement | Conference Proceedings and Papers

The Future of Higher Education

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Committee on Institutional Cooperation and the Midwestern Higher Education Compact cosponsored a conference on issues facing higher education. At the conference, methods were discussed for improving the performance of the higher education sector and ensuring it can continue to provide the education, research and economic development opportunities that are closely related to sustained economic growth.

November 2, 2005
Announcement | Agenda

Regional Energy

Electricity Policy in the Midwest

Federal, state, and industry representatives discussed how to create the proper regulatory environment to encourage needed investment in generation and transmission facilities.

January 17, 2002
Conference Proceedings and Papers | Agenda

Regional Environmental

Cost-Effective Carbon Restrictions

Market-based emission systems can be important in controlling the costs and impact of mandated reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. How will the Midwest adapt to the regulation of GHGs? Tthe Detroit Branch of the Chicago Fed will hold a conference discussing these and other matters important to policymakers and researchers alike.

October 15, 2007
Announcement | Agenda | Chicago Fed Letter

Regional Foreign Trade

Global Linkages to the Midwest Economy

An evaluation of the influence of factors such as foreign direct investment, import competition, and regional exports on the Midwest economy.

September 18, 1996
Conference Summary (PDF,463KB) | Conference Proceedings and Papers

Regional Industry Analysis

Using Payment Innovations to Improve Transportation Networks

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Chicago Metropolis 2020 co-sponsored a one-day workshop on transportation networks. The purpose of this workshop was to understand how pricing schemes, public–private partnerships and emerging payment mechanisms can be used to address congestion and efficiency in urban commuter networks.

June 12, 2007
Announcement | Agenda

Transitions: The State of the Automotive Industry

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosted a conference on the U.S. automotive industry, which is in the midst of dramatic changes. There has been a movement away from production by the Big Three automakers to production by foreign nameplate companies with plants in the U.S. This conference focused on automotive manufacturing in the U.S. and around the world to examine what is driving these transitions.

June 12, 2007
Announcement | Agenda

Fourteenth Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosted its fourteenth annual Automotive Outlook Symposium. The topics included: the view from Wall Street, the vehicle sales outlook from the OEM (original equipment manufacturers) perspective, medium- and heavy-duty truck industry outlook, dealers' and suppliers' perspective on the sales outlook and the consensus outlook of symposium participants.

May 31, 2007, to June 1, 2007
Anouncement | Agenda

Thirteenth Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosted its thirteenth annual Automotive Outlook Symposium. The symposium focused on the forces shaping the vehicle industry. The topics included the future for the U.S. automotive industry, 2006–07 sales outlook, heavy truck industry outlook, dealers' and suppliers' perspective on the sales outlook and the consensus outlook of symposium participants.

June 1, 2006, to June 2, 2006
Announcement | Agenda | Chicago Fed Letter

The Supplier Industry in Transition: The New Geography of Auto Production

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held a conference examining the ongoing structural changes in the U.S. auto industry at its Detroit Branch. This conference discussed trends in the relations between carmakers and their supply base as well as prospects for the industry's continued concentration in the Midwest.

April 18, 2006 to April 19, 2006
Announcement | Agenda | Chicago Fed Letter

Twelfth Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosted its twelfth annual Automotive Outlook Symposium at the Detroit Branch of the Chicago Fed.

June 3, 2005, to June 4, 2005
Announcement | Agenda | Chicago Fed Letter

Eleventh Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosted its eleventh annual Automotive Outlook Symposium at the Detroit Branch of the Chicago Fed.

June 3, 2004 to June 4, 2004
Conference Proceedings and Papers | Chicago Fed Letter

Geography of Auto Production—Will Detroit Continue to Be the Industry's Hub?

This meeting was the second in a series of events to help understand the dynamics of change in Midwest manufacturing.

November 3, 2003
Conference Proceedings and Papers | Agenda

Tenth Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium

The tenth annual Auto Outlook Symposium was held at the Detroit branch on May 29 and 30, 2003, and drew industry analysts from vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and consulting firms. The conference was cosponsored with J.D. Power and Associates.

May 29, 2003 to May 30, 2003
Conference Proceedings and Papers

Ninth Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium

The ninth annual Auto Outlook Symposium was held at the Detroit branch and drew industry analysts from vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and consulting firms.

May 30, 2002 to May 31, 2002
Conference Proceedings and Papers

Regional Labor

Job Loss: Causes, Consequences and Policy Responses

Concerns over job loss are pervasive, but an understanding of its causes and consequences are not. This conference brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss how research can inform policy and practice and what workers, firms, and government policies can do to ameliorate the effects of job displacement. The conference included presentations of fresh research on these topics, as well as thought-provoking synthesis and analysis.

November 18, 2004 to November 19, 2004
Chicago Fed Letter Papers and Presentations

Assessing the Midwest Workforce: Strategies for Developing the Region's Human Capital

The conference brought together academics, policymakers, and business people to assess the current status of the region's work force and identify strategies to attract, retain, and develop the best human capital.

November 21, 2002
Conference Proceedings and Papers | Agenda

Work Force Developments: Issues for the Midwest Economy

A discussion of new roles for the public and private sector in enhancing worker productivity.

May 15, 1996
Conference Proceedings and Papers

Regional Midwest Economy

Manufacturing Prospects and Midwest Public Policy

At this third conference in a series, researchers continued to investigate whether structural shifts, such changing world terms of trade or technological shocks, lie behind the current performance lag in manufacturing, versus transitory factors such as currency fluctuations and weak global economic growth. In addition, the event addressed whether observed manufacturing trends are being distorted by organizational changes such as the use of temporary workers and by the outsourcing of service functions.
April 27, 2004
Agenda

Is Midwest Manufacturing at a Crossroads?

This workshop begins a formal inquiry by the Research Department to explore the direction of, prospects for, and potential policy responses to manufacturing activity in the Midwest. This particular workshop sets out the current landscape and also whether Midwest manufacturing is at a "crossroads," or merely experiencing a "bump in the road."

September 30, 2003
Chicago Fed Letter | Agenda

Linkages across the Border—The Great Lakes Economy

Policymakers, industry representatives and researchers came together in Detroit to discuss challenges to the linkages in the Great Lakes economy in the aftermath of September 11.

April 4–April 5, 2002
Chicago Fed Letters

Assessing the Midwest Economy: Looking Back for the Future

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago symposium.

April 23, 1997
Project Background Information | Conference Proceedings and Papers

The Midwest Economy: Structure and Performance

An analysis of regional development with a focus on the issues raised by ongoing changes in the manufacturing sector.

February 13, 1996
Conference Summary (PDF,333KB) | Conference Proceedings and Papers

Regional State and Local Fiscal

2008 Health Care Leader Forum: The Value Chain Approach—Maximizing Value

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Detroit Branch and the Detroit Regional Chamber co-sponsored a forum at the Federal Reserve's facilities in Detroit.

April 14–April 15, 2008
Announcement | Agenda

Facing the Challenge of Retiree Health Care: Liabilities and Responses of State and Local Governments

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Civic Federation are hosting a forum on retiree health care for state and local governments.

March 11, 2008
Announcement | Agenda

Future State Business Tax Reforms: Perspectives from the Business, Government and Academic Communities

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Ernst & Young and the Office of Tax Policy Research at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan co-hosted a program examining developments in state business taxation. The program examined the complete range of business taxes including income, sales, property as well as value added and gross receipts taxation. The program also discussed recent business tax reforms in Ohio, Texas and Michigan. Presenters included business, government and academic tax experts.

September 17, 2007
Announcement | Agenda

New Developments in State Business Taxation

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the National Tax Association of the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs will co-sponsor a half-day conference on state business taxation. The program will examine both recent changes and proposed changes to business taxation by the states, particularly the gross receipts tax, expanded service taxation and other business-oriented fees.

April 4, 2007
Announcement | Agenda | Chicago Fed Letter (PDF,80KB)

A Forum on Medicaid and State Budgets

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago co-sponsored a forum with the Civic Federation to consider the impact of Medicaid on state budgets. The forum, which was held at the Federal Reserve, brought together top researchers and government leaders to discuss funding and policy issues as well as best practices. Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson gave a keynote address.

For more information, please e-mail the Civic Federation at civicfed@civicfed.org or visit the Civic Federation web site.

March 15, 2007
Announcement | Agenda | Chicago Fed Letter (PDF,80KB)

State and Local Government Pension Forum

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Civic Federation and the National Tax Association sponsored a half-day forum examining growing concerns about the health of state and local government public pension system. This forum discussed trends in pension funding and administration and policies for managing growing pension obligations.

February 28, 2006
Announcement | Agenda | Chicago Fed Letter (PDF,53KB)

State and Local Business Taxation: Is There a Better Way?

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the National Tax Association co-sponsored a conference that focused on current issues in state and local business taxation.

September 13, 2004
Announcement | Agenda | Chicago Fed Letter

State Fiscal Forum: Assessing the Fiscal Environment in the Midwest and the Nation

The program will examine both the short-term fixes and long-term options available to states to make ends meet during this stressful fiscal environment. Is there something different about the current budget cycle that sets it apart from previous budgeting experience? Do states have the necessary revenues to meet program needs? Are these structural rather than cyclical deficits? What steps can states take to protect programs and revenues from increasing volatility? Do the state's have the necessary budget tools available to successfully manage their budgets?

November 12, 2003
Chicago Fed Letter | Agenda

Maintaining and Financing Public Infrastructure in Tough Budgetary Times

The one-day research and policy program designed to assess the current condition of the basic public infrastructure of the Midwest and identify the investment needs of the region.

September 25, 2002
Chicago Fed Letter | Agenda

Designing State/Local Fiscal Policy for Growth and Development

An assessment of how local tax structure, public spending, and regulatory policies affect Midwest growth and investment.

July 17, 1996
Conference Proceedings and Papers

Regional Urban

Headquarters and Cities

This conference drew on ongoing research to characterize the role and locational behavior of corporate headquarters with respect to large cities. Where are headquarters choosing to locate? Why are they doing so? How is the form and structure of the headquarters changing? What are the economic, public policy, and philanthropic roles of headquarters in large (and global) cities?

October 29, 2004
Agenda

Understanding Isolation and Change in Urban Neighborhoods: A Research Symposium

The one-day symposium brought together researchers and real estate business leaders to discuss trends in central city growth.

April 11, 2003
Conference Proceedings and Papers | Agenda

Are Central Cities Coming Back? The Case of Chicago

The one-day symposium brought together researchers and real estate business leaders to discuss trends in central city growth.

September 28, 2001
Conference Proceedings and Papers | Agenda

Midwest Metropolitan Areas: Performance and Policy

An assessment of the performance metropolitan areas against the backdrop of technological changes affecting the productivity and growth of urban areas.

November 28, 1995
Conference Proceedings and Papers