Agenda - BizWest Events

August 4, 2026, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado in Greeley

UNC 501 W 20th St, Greeley, CO 80639

2026 Mid-Year Economic Forum Agenda

7:30 am

Check-in

8:00 am

Registration, Interactive Exhibit Area, Networking and Continental Breakfast

9:00 am

Welcome Remarks

9:10 – 10:00 am

The Future of Higher Education

Colleges and universities face enormous challenges due to changes in demographics and federal funding priorities. How are Northern Colorado’s institutions navigating these changes, and what opportunities exist for them to further drive the region’s economy?

Kamel Haddad, Interim President, University of Northern Colorado

Ann Hutchison round — Ann Hutchison, President & CEO, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce

Moseley, Cassandra — Cassandra Moseley, Vice President for Research, Colorado State University

Larry Pakowski, Vice President for Student Affairs, Aims Community College

Colleen Simpson, President, Front Range Community College

Amy Stevens, Provost & executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, University of Colorado Boulder

10:05 – 10:55 am

Economic Drivers – Fueling Entrepreneurship in Targeted Industries

Northern Colorado boasts a diverse mix of industries, but which ones will drive the economy in the next decade? We’ll hear from industry leaders in aerospace, data centers, laser fusion and life sciences about how their companies and sectors will influence the evolution of the region’s economy.

Rose Nash round — Rose Nash, founder & CEO, Biota Labs

Tanya Ramond, director of business development, Colorado Quantum Incubator

Ken Reardon round — Ken Reardon, associate dean for research, Colorado State University

Justin Siebert, COO, Ursa Major Technologies Inc.

Richard Werner — Rich Werner, president & CEO, Upstate Colorado Economic Development

10:55 – 11:05 am

Intermission

11:05 – 11:40 am

The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Colorado’s Economy

Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Phyllis Resnick

Executive director & lead economist

Colorado Futures Center

Dr. Phyllis Resnick will explore the state economic outlook informed by recent forecasts from the Colorado Future Center’s ColoradoCast model, what it means for the Northern Colorado economy, and what other Center models of disproportionately impacted communities and social factors affecting student success mean for future state and regional competitiveness.

11:40 – 12:10 pm

Reading the Market: What M&A and Capital Trends Signal for the Rest of 2026

Keynote Speaker:

Matt Rupprecht

Managing Director

PMCF

Matt Rupprecht will examine current M&A and capital market trends, how activity in the first half of the year has compared to expectations, and what transaction, financing, and investor dynamics may signal for the remainder of 2026. Drawing on both national and Rocky Mountain region perspectives, he will discuss the factors shaping business valuations, deal activity, and growth opportunities across the region.

12:10 pm

Closing Remarks

Event sponsorship, vendor booths and tickets are available.

For more information, contact your account executive or Jeff Nuttall, jnuttall@bizwest.com.

Economic trends are shifting constantly in 2026, and the Mid-Year Economic Forum will provide critical updates on the state of the Northern Colorado economy, as well as deep dives into key industry sectors.