Join us for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce's annual State of Business Program, a timely and engaging conversation on Oregon’s economic outlook, business climate, and policy landscape. This year’s program brings together leading voices from the economic and advocacy arenas to share data-driven insights and actionable perspectives. Presented by PeaceHealth.
Get an exclusive first look at early results from our 2025 Business Climate Survey, offering a snapshot of how Springfield-area businesses view the current economic landscape, emerging challenges, and the region’s competitive advantages. This preview is your chance to hear what local employers are saying before the full report is released later this spring.
Presenters:
• JL Wilson, contract lobbyist for the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, will provide a real-time update on the 2025 legislative session and the state-level advocacy efforts shaping the business environment.
• Mark McMullen, Vice President of Policy & Research with the Common Sense Institute, will follow with a presentation on the Institute’s recent State Budget Report, examining Oregon’s fiscal outlook, long-term budget pressures, and the impact on our state’s economic competitiveness.
• Angela Wilhelms, President & CEO of Oregon Business & Industry, will speak to findings from a recent external recruitment and retention study commissioned by Business Oregon, and will share how those insights connect to OBI’s broader efforts to restore Oregon’s business competitiveness and economic resilience.
We’ll wrap our morning with a facilitated Q&A, where you’ll get a chance to pose questions to each of our speakers. Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, or community advocate, this program you don’t want to miss!
Program Overview:
7:30 AM – Networking & light breakfast
8:00 AM – Springfield Chamber Welcome + preliminary findings from our Business Climate Survey
8:15 AM – Presentation: JL Wilson, Oregon State Chamber of Commerce
8:30 AM – Presentation: Mark McMullen, Common Sense Institute
8:50 AM – Presentation: Angela Wilhelms, Oregon Business & Industry
9:10 AM – Facilitated Q&A with all speakers (moderated by Vonnie Mikkelsen, with audience questions)
9:30 AM – Program concludes
