2026 Business & Economic Outlook to Explore Key Trends

EconomicPress Release

Crown Point, IN – 10/20/2026 – The Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable (NWIBRT) and the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF) will host the 2026 Business & Economic Outlook on Oct. 30, bringing business leaders, industry professionals and regional stakeholders together for a morning of expert insights and economic analysis.
The free event will take place 8 a.m.-noon at Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso, with registration and a continental breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Designed to help regional businesses and organizations understand the forces shaping the economic landscape, the event will feature perspectives from leaders in government, economic development, construction, financial services and energy policy. Presentations will examine factors influencing the region’s growth and development, along with broader trends affecting the U.S. economy.
The 2026 speaker lineup includes:
  • Thomas McDermott Jr., Mayor, City of Hammond
  • Sherri Ziller, President and CEO, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority
  • Kevin Comerford, Director of Professional Development, CAF
  • Steve Skalka, Senior Vice President, Harbour Wealth Management
  • Marc Oestreich, Partner, Crane + Grey
  • Jon Ford, Executive Director, Indiana Office of Energy Development
“Business leaders need reliable information and diverse perspectives to make sound decisions in an evolving marketplace,” said Kevin Comerford, Chair of NWIBRT’s Education Committee. “This event allows attendees to hear from experts across a range of sectors and gain valuable insights on the issues and opportunities ahead.”
The 2026 Business & Economic Outlook is free for NWIBRT members. Additional details and registration information are available at https://www.nwibrt.org.
 
About NWIBRT: NWIBRT is an independent, non-profit council of local firms committed to the improvement of construction and maintenance projects in Northwest Indiana.
About CAF: The Construction Advancement Foundation of Northwest Indiana, Inc. (CAF) is a regional construction industry trade association with over 500 affiliated contractor companies. CAF serves the professional construction industry of Northwest Indiana by enhancing quality through safety, professional development, cooperation, and by advancing the economic environment and public policies which affect CAF contributors.

2026 Business & Economic Outlook to Explore Key Trends