This year’s Vermont Economic Conference keynote brings together two voices who help people understand how the economy really works—one through public stewardship and state financial strategy, and the other through sharp, story-driven business news and commentary.

Treasurer Mike Pieciak will lead a fast-paced interview with Jack Crivici-Kramer, co-host of the nationally celebrated business podcast The Best One Yet. Known for translating complex market trends into engaging, digestible stories, Jack brings a unique narrative lens that resonates with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policy thinkers alike.

The conversation will pair Jack’s signature clarity and energy with Mike’s deep understanding of Vermont’s fiscal landscape. Together, they will offer a compelling, accessible look at the forces shaping Vermont’s economic future. This is a session built for leaders who want context, clarity, and actionable insight.

Mat Barewicz will provide a comprehensive outlook on Vermont’s economy, offering data-driven insight into key trends, labor market conditions, and the forces shaping our state’s economic trajectory. As the Economic & Labor Market Information Chief at the Vermont Department of Labor, he will break down current challenges, highlight emerging opportunities, and help frame what Vermont’s economic future may hold.

In this highly anticipated session, Thomas Feltmate brings a big-picture perspective grounded in data, insight, and real-world implications for business leaders. Drawing on his work at TD Economics, where he has tracked shifts in growth, inflation, interest rates, and labor markets, Thomas will translate national economic conditions into clear and actionable takeaways for Vermont’s business community.

Attendees will walk away with a clear assessment of the United States growth trajectory, including potential headwinds and tailwinds that could influence business investment and consumer demand. Thomas will also provide insight into inflation trends and monetary policy, including how interest rates may evolve in the coming quarters. These dynamics are critical for understanding cost structures, borrowing, hiring, and long-term planning.

The session will include a strategic look at the labor market, including employment trends, wage pressures, and emerging workforce challenges, offering context for both immediate needs and future opportunities. Thomas will also provide a comparative lens to understand how national trends intersect with Vermont’s economic landscape, including our unique industry mix, workforce dynamics, and competitive advantages.

The 2025 Business Climate Survey offers a clear view of how Vermont employers are experiencing today’s economy, reflecting concerns around workforce shortages, housing constraints, and the broader affordability pressures shaping competitiveness. In this session, Vermont Chamber of Commerce President Amy Spear will move beyond sentiment to strategy by connecting employer perspectives directly to the Chamber’s government affairs work and the Vermont Economic Action Plan.

Attendees will gain a sharper understanding of the policies, trends, and priorities shaping Vermont’s economic trajectory and will see how data-informed advocacy is transforming business feedback into actionable pathways for growth, resilience, and long-term prosperity. This session demonstrates the Chamber’s commitment to advancing the Vermont economy through advocacy, community, and resources while elevating the voice of businesses statewide.

This forward-looking conversation builds on the insights shared earlier in the day during From Sentiment to Strategy, moving from employer feedback and policy pathways to a deeper exploration of the long-term economic forces shaping Vermont’s future.

Guided by Kevin Chu, Executive Director of the Vermont Futures Project, this session brings together respected economic thinkers to examine the demographic, workforce, housing, and competitiveness trends that will influence the state’s direction over the next decade. Panelists will connect the latest data from the Economic Action Plan, the Business Climate Survey, and the Competitiveness Dashboard to the broader choices facing Vermont’s leaders and communities. This panel offers a higher altitude view of Vermont’s economic landscape.