At A Crossroads

The 23rd Annual Leadership Summit
December 8 I 8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. I Oregon Convention Center

Thank you for joining us for the 23rd annual Oregon Business Plan Leadership Summit.
On December 8th, leaders from across Oregon gathered at the Oregon Convention Center to confront the forces shaping our state’s future and to chart a path forward At A Crossroads.

Oregon stands at a pivotal moment. The era of automatic growth is over, and many of our systems—built for yesterday’s problems—no longer match today’s realities. Yet Oregon’s story has always been one of possibility. From our natural assets to the ingenuity of our people, this state has a long history of transforming constraints into progress and risk into renewal.

This year’s Summit carried that tradition forward. Together, business, community, and elected leaders faced hard truths with clear eyes, elevated new ideas, and explored the strategies required to build an economy worthy of Oregon and the generations to come.

The Oregon Business Plan remains anchored by four long-range goals: grow wages, increase the share of people working, expand household wealth, and boost economic mobility. Achieving these goals depends on a strong, growing economy — and on modernizing the systems that support it.

Thank you to the speakers, partners, and thousands of Oregonians who engaged in this year’s conversations. The work continues, and your leadership will shape what comes next.

In the afternoon, attendees joined breakout sessions exploring Oregon’s most urgent economic priorities, followed by Food Forward 2.0 at the Redd, where we celebrated the state’s vibrant food and beverage industry.

Media Coverage

Oregon’s economy isn’t working for most people. State leaders meet on Monday to chart a new path, Oregon Public Broadcasting

Agility Robotics Founder wants Oregon to be a startup factory, Portland Business Journal

Mayor outlines plans for economic development, downtown revitalization, Portland Business Journal

Gov. Kotek, lawmakers call for streamlined permit, land use rules amid concern for Oregon business, Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon leaders pledge to make the state more business-friendly, but offer few specifics, Oregonlive

Portland mayor wants to double the size of the small business tax exemption, Oregonlive

Here are three things the mayor wants to see in the central city by 2030, Oregonlive

Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s ready to tackle Oregon’s lousy business reputation, Oregon Public Broadcasting

Food Forward 2.0: Oregon’s Culinary Future

December 8 I 4:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. I At the Redd on Salmon Street

Oregon has everything it takes to rival the world’s great food, beverage, and culinary regions – raw natural bounty, world-class agriculture, a fierce sense of place, award-winning chefs, a maker culture rooted in legacy, and institutions that drive ideas forward. The ingredients are here. The question is: what happens when we make food a true statewide priority? That’s what Food Forward 2.0 is designed to inspire.

This immersive evening showcased the full breadth of Oregon’s food, beverage, and culinary landscape, revealing how it fuels our economy, shapes our culture, and merits our investment and pride. Guests tasted Oregon through its iconic ingredients – traced from farm and field to table, elevated by award-winning chefs and product makers from across the state. Paired with world-class wines, beers, cider, and spirits from our celebrated regions, and complemented by the best of Oregon’s agriculture, dairy, cider, beer, land, and sea, this night will launch a bold new chapter for Oregon’s culinary future.

Thank you to the chefs, makers, and creators who made this event possible! Photos coming soon.

Accessibility

The Oregon Business Plan is rooted in a commitment to Shared Prosperity — a vision where all Oregonians, regardless of race, region, economic circumstance, or ability, have the opportunity to thrive. We partnered with Relay Resources as we strive to make greater shared prosperity a reality for all, recognizing that prosperity includes accessible opportunities for Oregonians with disabilities. We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive space where every voice is heard, and every attendee is supported.

Relay Resources is a social enterprise nonprofit and the leading disability inclusion partner in the Pacific Northwest. With a mission to transform workplaces and communities through disability inclusion, Relay Resources works closely with organizations to implement ADA accommodations and provide guidance to support all attendees. Learn more about their work here.

Accessibility Features at the Leadership Summit:

ASL Interpreters & Captioning: ASL interpreters will join us for the day, and live captioning was available on screens, making it easier for those with hearing needs to engage in the conversation.
Sensory Relief: Sensory bags and designated sensory break stations provided a calm environment to help attendees recharge and remain engaged.
Sunflower Lanyards: To support those with nonapparent disabilities, we offered optional sunflower lanyards, which help others recognize and respect their needs.
Interaction Pins: New this year. Take a pin to indicate your openness to networking or if you prefer some personal space, showing your communication preferences.
Accessibility Table at Registration: Our dedicated team from Relay Resources was available near registration, with trained accessibility specialists on hand to offer support throughout the day.

Report Released

A report, Oregon At A Crossroads: How We Can Compete & Thrive, outlines the structural challenges weakening Oregon’s competitiveness, from outdated land-use and regulatory systems to rising housing costs, underperforming schools, worsening wildfire seasons, and a volatile tax structure. These pressures are converging as population growth slows, contributing to manufacturing losses, talent shortages, and a declining business climate.

The report calls for a focused, statewide effort to rebuild Oregon’s economic development capacity. Key priorities include modernizing permitting and land-use systems, accelerating site readiness, improving school performance, reducing wildfire risk, strengthening talent pipelines, and aligning statewide strategy with regional and industry needs. With coordinated leadership, Oregon can restore competitiveness and position the state for long-term growth.

Read the full report here.

Summit Speakers

Oregon’s Choice: Grow Modestly or Not at All

Webinar with John Tapogna I September 9, 2025

For decades, Oregon could count on steady growth – of people, jobs, and opportunity. That era has ended. Slowing national population trends, rising housing costs, underperforming schools, and climate pressures are reshaping our state’s future. On September 9, a one-hour webinar, led by John Tapogna, examined Oregon’s Choice: Grow Modestly or Not at All. Will we adapt and pursue deliberate, modest growth, or accept the risks of stagnation? The conversation began to set the stage for the 2025 Leadership Summit, where elected, business, and community leaders will chart a path forward.

See the webinar slide deck here. Watch the webinar recording here.