39th Annual Economic Outlook Symposium
Friday, 12/12/25
8:00 AM
Breakfast and Registration
8:30 AM
Welcome Remarks
8:40 AM
Chicago Fed Contact Experiences in 2025
Panelists
Kaye Englin, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa
Randall Eppli, President & CEO, Columbus Chemical Industries
Rachel Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Gardner-White Furniture
9:30 AM
Fireside Chat with Austan Goolsbee
Speaker
Austan Goolsbee, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
10:15 AM
Break I
10:30 AM
Consensus Forecast for 2026 & Recognition of 2025 Forecast Winners
Speaker
Thom Walstrum, Principal Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
11:00 AM
Outlook for Key Sectors
Auto Industry
Collin Shaw, President, MEMA
Consumers
Leo Feler, Chief Economist, Numerator
12:00 PM
Break II
12:15 PM
Lunch with Chicago Fed Experts
CHURN and CARTS
Scott Brave, Senior Economist and Economic Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Supervision & Regulation
Mark Serlo, Vice President, Talent Management Operations & Training, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
1:30 PM
Event concludes
39th Annual Economic Outlook Symposium
Join us on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm CT for the 39th Annual Economic Outlook Symposium at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The symposium will focus on the forces shaping the U.S. economy as we look forward to 2026. This hybrid event will feature the following:
- A fireside chat with Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee
- A consensus outlook for the economy from conference participants given by Chicago Fed Senior Business Economist Thomas Walstrum
- Sessions with industry and Chicago Fed experts, who will offer outlooks on key economic sectors and the labor market
Through events like this, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago serves the public, fostering economic opportunity and advancing a strong economy for our region and nation.
Forecast Competition:
When you register, you will be invited to submit a forecast of three key economic indicators to be included in the consensus outlook for 2026. No forecasting experience is required.
