Economic Outlook: Focus on Automation & AI

*** RSVP Extended to Monday, august 4th at 12:00 PM ***

Join us at Faranda’s for a special follow-up event to our Economic Outlook Luncheon!

Presented in Partnership with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)

Automation continues to impact the workforce and we’re here to help you make sense of what that can mean for your business. Please join us for breakfast and refreshments throughout the sessions as you learn valuable insights from our knowledgeable speakers.

This event features a keynote presentation by Dr. Kristen Broady, Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, plus panels discussing impacts on various industries, financing growth and change, and preparing the workforce.

Event Schedule:

8:30 – 9:00 AM: Networking & Breakfast Served

• Opening Remarks: Tara Tenorio, Community Development Regional Manager, Meta

9:00 – 9:40 AM: Keynote – “Automation & AI’s Impact on Jobs”

• Keynote Speaker: Kristen Broady, The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

9:45 – 10:30 AM: Panel – Automation Insights

• Moderator: Cindy Tomei, President, Sustainable Aviation Fuels Institute (SAFII)
• Featured Panelist: David Boulay, President, IMEC
• Additional Panelists: Randy Prince, Sr. Business Development Manager, IMA

10:35 – 11:10 AM: Panel – How to Fund Growth

• Moderator: Christine Flynn, MPA, MSW, Research Associate & Public Sector Consultant, Workforce Policy Lab at NIU
• Featured Panelist: Renee Wott, Sr. Northeast Regional Manager, IL Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
• Additional Panelists: Elisabeth Williams, Sr. Vice President, SomerCor; and Frank Roberts, Vice President & Director of Community Banking, FNBO

11:15 – 11:50 AM: Panel – Workforce & Education

• Moderator: Sarah Hartwick, Sr. Vice President, IMA
• Panelists: Andrea Guzman, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Dept. of Communication, NIU; Barbara Leach, VP of Instruction, Kishwaukee College; Ne’Keisha Stepney, Assistant Provost of Workforce Development, Waubonsee College; and Kevin Nelson, Welding and AET Instructor, Kishwaukee Education Consortium (KEC)

Breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

Sponsorship levels for this event:

Platinum Sponsor – $5,000
Exclusive branding as the Event’s Presenting Sponsor
Company logo on all event materials, digital promotions, and press releases
Dedicated social media recognition before and after the event
VIP seating for 6 guests

Gold Sponsor – $2,500
Recognition as a key event sponsor
Company logo on all event materials and digital promotions
Social media recognition before and after the event
Reserved seating for 4 guests

Silver Sponsor – $1,000
Company logo on all event materials and social media
Social media recognition before and after the event
Reserved seating for 2 guests

Bronze Sponsor – $500
Company logo on all event materials and social media
Social media recognition after the event
Reserved seating for 1 guest