Economic Club of Minnesota

George Mason University economist Don Boudreaux took the stage at the Economic Club of Minnesota on May 11, 2026, as a myth-buster with a simple but powerful challenge: compared to what? In his presentation on Trump's second-term tariffs, Boudreaux cut through the political noise by stacking 2025's economic performance against hard benchmarks, including 2024 and Trump's own first term in 2017. The...

Against a backdrop of surging tariffs, fracturing alliances, and rising protectionist sentiment on both sides of the Atlantic and the Pacific, the Economic Club of Minnesota gathered to celebrate someone who has spent her entire career swimming against that current. Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu, economist, former cabinet minister, World Bank managing director, and now Indonesia's Special Envoy for Inter...

On March 30, the Economic Club of Minnesota hosted "The Geopolitical Power of Agriculture," bringing together CHS President & CEO Jay Debertin and CoBank CEO Tom Halverson for a candid conversation about the pressures facing American farmers. The verdict was sobering: row crop producers, particularly soybean and corn growers here in the Midwest, are caught in a perfect storm of depressed commodity...

The Economic Club of Minnesota welcomed retired General Paul Nakasone, former head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, for a conversation that was equal parts sobering and inspiring. Nakasone opened with a stark reality check: unlike physical borders that can be patrolled and defended, cyberspace offers no natural boundaries. There are no oceans, no walls, no checkpoints standi...

We were delighted to welcome U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to the Economic Club of Minnesota on January 8, 2026, for an engaging and timely conversation that drew more than 325 attendees from across the Twin Cities business and civic community. Secretary Bessent shared thoughtful insights on the state of the U.S. economy and the Treasury Department's priorities, touching on topics s...

On November 17, 2025, the Economic Club of Minnesota hosted a captivating fireside chat between Ecolab CEO Christophe Beck and Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari, drawing a packed house of business leaders, policymakers, and curious Minnesotans eager for a pulse on the state's—and the nation's—economic trajectory. As head of Ecolab, a St. Paul-based global giant in water,...

On October 9, 2025, Federal Reserve Governor Michael S. Barr took the stage at the Economic Club of Minnesota's luncheon, to discuss the U.S. economy amid rising inflation and policy challenges. In his speech, "The Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy," Barr highlighted how recent tariffs have driven inflation up, with the PCE index hitting 2.7% in August and core PCE nearing 3%. These pressures,...

The Economic Club of Minnesota (ECOM) wasted no time diving into the pressing economic conversations that shape our global landscape. On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Club launched its 2025-2026 season with "Trade and Tariff Tales," a timely forum that unraveled the complexities of international trade policies amid a backdrop of escalating U.S.-China tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the...

On May 20, 2025, St. Louis Federal Reserve President Alberto Musalem delivered a compelling speech titled "Economic Conditions and Monetary Policy" at the Economic Club of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Addressing a diverse audience of business leaders, policymakers, and community members, Musalem shared his insights on the U.S. economic outlook and the implications for monetary policy. His visit inclu...

On April 10, 2025, the Economic Club of Minnesota hosted Professor Exequiel "Zeke" Hernandez from The Wharton School for a compelling discussion on the economic impact of immigration. Known for his extensive research on global networks and the movement of people, ideas, and businesses, Professor Hernandez provided valuable insights into how immigration influences economic prosperity.  For those in...

Sheletta Brundidge, an award-winning media personality, author, and autism advocate, is making waves in the conversation about neurodiversity in the workplace. Her recent podcast episode on autism workers is an eye-opener for businesses, parents, and individuals on the spectrum, highlighting the need for inclusion and support. Championing Autism Awareness in the Workplace Brundidge, a mother of th...

The Economic Club of Minnesota celebrated the annual Bill Frenzel Champion of Free Trade Award event on March 12, 2025. Devry Boughner Vorwerk, chair of the award advisory committee, presented the award to the Honorable Kevin Brady, former congressman and former Chairman of the Joint Ways and Means Committee. Chairman Brady was chosen based on his dedication and consistent advocacy and leadership...

The Economic Club of Minnesota kicked off the second half of the 2024-2025 season on Wednesday, February 26th. The audience was treated to a riveting conversation between Brian Sikes, Chairman, President and CEO of Cargill and Sri Zaheer, Dean Emerita, Carlson School of Management. Brian offered some wonderful advice to students and young professionals in attendance. "Do your job really, really, w...

On December 18, 2024, Major Garrett, Chief Political Correspondent, CBS News, returned to the stage at the Economic Club of Minnesota. Major provided the audience with an interesting historical perspective by comparing two non-consecutive seated Presidents, Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump. While President Grover Cleveland's term was during the Gilded Age, President Trump's terms are both happeni...

On Thursday, November 21st, the Economic Club of Minnesota welcomed Maya MacGuineas, President of The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in a discussion with Chris Farrell,  Marketplace  Senior Economics Contributor at American Public Media. The audience was treated to an insightful and entertaining discussion.   Maya talked about how the burning issues like Medicare and Social Security re...

The healthcare ecosystem in Minnesota is a dynamic and complex network that influences the well-being of its residents and impacts the state's economic landscape. As one of the most health-conscious states in the nation, Minnesota has long been a leader in healthcare innovation, access, and quality. On October 9, 2024, the Economic Club of Minnesota hosted a discussion centered on the  Economic Ec...

The Economic Club of Minnesota kicked off the 2025-2026 season on September 12, 2024, with a compelling discussion between Michael Sheldrick and Angelina Amérigo. Michael joined us as a stop on his worldwide book tour for his new book  From Ideas to Impact .   Michael did a wonderful job explaining policy entrepreneurism and giving the audience some solid takeaways and a call to action.   No matte...

The Economic Club of Minnesota concluded the 2023-2024 season on May 10th with a lively conversation between Austan Goolsbee, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Steve Liesman, Senior Economics Reporter for CNBC.   One of the focal points of the interview was the examination of various economic indicators and what they signify for the overall health of the economy. Goolsbe...

Everyone in the Economic Club of Minnesota audience felt so fortunate to hear Consul General, Alan Gogbashian's perspectives on UK/US trade, the Great Lakes Shipping Corridor, leadership, and business on April 23rd. Consul Gogbashian spent time reviewing his past 4 years in his post at the British Consulate-General Chicago. His next post has not yet been revealed publicly. Tom Hauser, Senior Polit...

Devry Boughner Vorwerk presented Senator Pat Toomey with the 2023 Bill Frenzel Champion of Free Trade award on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The audience was treated to a lively conversation between former Senator Toomey and former Congressman Mark Kennedy. Toomey aptly explained how protectionism and nativism will ultimately undermine prosperity in the United States.   The award recognizes national an...

On February 12th, the Economic Club of Minnesota was fortunate to hear Ginni Rometty in conversation with Neel Kashkari. Ginni shared wisdom on life, career, leadership, and business. Neel and Ginni covered multiple topics, including workforce development, work from home, addressing conflict, and the subject of generative AI. The audience was fascinated. Her book, Good Power, is worth reading. 

Hundreds of members, sponsors and guests of the Economic Club of Minnesota gathered Friday, December 15th to listen to a crucial discussion regarding U.S.- China Strategic Competition. Experts Zongyuan Zoe Liu and Sahra English were joined by former Congressman, Mark Kennedy to discuss the dynamic situation in China regarding the economy, supply chain changes, and trade. The audience was rapt with...

On Friday, November 3rd, the Economic Club of Minnesota welcomed Bill George and Neel Kashkari in conversation with CNN's Poppy Harlow. Harlow moderated a discussion on Leadership in Uncertain Times with Bill and Neel. The large audience were treated to lessons and stories about leaders who have gone astray as well as how to maintain one's "True North", a nod to Bill's book by the same name. Poppy...

The Economic Club of Minnesota hosted industry experts on October 18th to discuss the balance between returning to in-person and remote work. The panel was moderated by Jeanne Crain, President & CEO, Bremer Financial Corporation. Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, Doug Fulton, Principal at Avison Young, and Kelly Baker, CHRO at Thrivent, had a lively discussion abou...

On September 22nd, the Economic Club of Minnesota kicked off the 2023-2024 season with a fireside chat between Corie Barry, CEO of Best Buy and Neel Kashkari, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Over 200 audience members got an inside glimpse of various topics; from how Best Buy handled the pandemic to the economy, to Corie's path to leadership. A large percentage of the...