The 2024 Economic Outlook Seminar is Coming to 9 Montana Cities this Winter!

Economic Outlook Seminar 2024

The 2024 Economic Outlook Seminar will highlight the latest economic trends for local economies and the state of Montana, with a special focus on the green energy transition and what it might mean for Montana.

Implementing the Green Energy Transition in Montana: What Would it Take?

In an era where people of different political persuasions seemingly can’t even agree that the sun rises in the East, it is easy for some to discount or dismiss the notion that carbon-emitting energy production is going away. Just as it is a matter of faith with others that an emissions-free world is right around the corner. These swift conclusions gloss over the hard questions the coming years will force us to address: What would it actually take to power the largest economy in the world within the emissions targets set by our leaders, and what is the most effective way to carry that out?

For our 49th annual Economic Outlook Seminar we add an additional question: What would it mean for Montana? Our colder climate and our large geography have combined to make us one of the most energy-dependent states in the country. We are also a state that mines metals and minerals, and the green energy shopping list for what we could produce is potentially a long one.

A dose of reality is what we think the political battles over green energy need, and that’s exactly what the 2024 Economic Outlook Seminars aim to provide. We hope you can join us for what certainly looks to be a spirited, informative discussion.

Why Attend EOS 2024?

BBER economists will present national, state, and local economic forecasts for Montana’s largest communities, and industry experts will give their outlook for the state’s important sectors, including tourism, health care, real estate and housing, agriculture, manufacturing, energy and forest products.

Where Can I Attend?

EOS 2024 will travel to nine cities across the state and provide a live webcast for other regions. This year we will offer in-person events in Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Kalispell, Lewistown, and Havre.

Schedule

EOS 2024 will be held in nine cities across the state of Montana.

January 23, 2024

Helena

Helena Great Northern Hotel
835 Great Northern Blvd, Helena, MT 59601

January 24, 2024

Great Falls

Meadow Lark Country Club
300 Country Club Blvd, Great Falls, MT 59404

January 26, 2024

Missoula

Hilton Garden Inn
3720 N. Reserve St.
Missoula, MT 59808

January 30, 2024

Billings

Northern Hotel
19 North Broadway
Billings, MT 59101

January 31, 2024

Bozeman

The Commons
1794 E. Baxter Ln.
Bozeman, MT 59718

February 1, 2024

Butte

NorthWestern General Office
11 East Park Street
Butte, MT 59701

February 6, 2024

Kalispell

Wachholz College Center
Flathead Valley Community College
795 Grandview Drive
Kalispell, MT 59901

 

March 12, 2024

Lewistown

Central Montana Head Start
25 Meadowlark Lane
Lewistown, MT 59457

March 13, 2024

Havre

Hensler Auditorium
MSU Northern
300 11th St W. Havre, Montana 59501

2024 Seminar Sponsors

Principal Sponsor:

 

Statewide Sponsors:

The Speakers

Our lineup of speakers include industry and economic experts focused on Montana.

Patrick Barkey

Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research

George Haynes

Professor and Agricultural Policy Specialist
Montana State University

Joel Schumacher

Associate Extension Specialist, Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics, Montana State University

Samuel Scott

Forest Economist, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

Derek Sheehan

Economist
Bureau of Business and Economic Research

Melissa Weddell

Director, Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, University of Montana

Keynote Roundtable Speakers

Suzanne Tilleman

Dean, College of Business
University of Montana

Heather McDowell

VP Legal and External Affairs
Sibanye-Stillwater

Chris Dorrington

Director, Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Sonja Nowakowski

Administrator
Air, Energy, and Mining Division
Dept. of Environmental Quality

Michael Freeman

Montana Governor’s Office

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