Global Midwest Alliance
888.808.0462
Driving Innovation and Growth
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January 14, 2026
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
K&L Gates
70 West Madison Street
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60602
Global Midwest Alliance invites you to its first program of 2026. Throughout the year, the Alliance will bring you a series of programs that will highlight expertise, innovation and technology, and globalization opportunities in a number of of growing industries.
Join us on January 14, 2026, as Global Midwest Alliance, host K&L Gates, and sponsors, the Association for Manufacturing Technology, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Old National Bank, Polsinelli and Wipfli, present a program focused on the forces that are currently driving and shaping the U.S. economy as it enters 2026.
Keynote speaker David Oppedahl, a Policy Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, will discuss the major sectors of the economy and provide the Federal Reserve's forecast along with his perspective on economic activity. Speaker Chris, Chidzik, Principal Economist at the Association for Manufacturing Technology, will address the current economic conditions affecting the manufacturing industry. Tom Plodzeen, Senior Vice President of Interest Rate Risk Management at Old National Bank, will also weigh in on the expectations for interest rates in the coming year.
Attendees will include C-suite executives from a variety of industries, civic and business leaders, and members of the economic and business development communities.
Seating is limited. Please REGISTER on or before January 12, 2026.
2026 Economic Outlook Program
About Our Host and Sponsors
The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), founded in 1902, specializes in providing targeted business assistance, extensive global support, and business intelligence systems and analysis. AMT is the voice that communicates the importance of policies and programs that encourage research and innovation, and the development of educational initiatives to create tomorrow's Smartforce. AMT owns and manages IMTS - The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is the premier manufacturing technology event in North America.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up the nation's central bank. The Chicago Reserve Bank serves the seventh Federal Reserve District, which encompasses the northern portions of Illinois and Indiana, southern Wisconsin, the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and the state of Iowa. In addition to participation in the formulation of monetary policy, each Reserve Bank supervises member banks and bank holding companies, provides financial services to depository institutions and the U.S. government, and monitors economic conditions in its District.
K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents. The firm represents leading multinational corporations, growth and middle-market companies, capital markets participants and entrepreneurs in every major industry group as well as public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations and individuals.
Old National Bancorp is the holding company of Old National Bank. As the sixth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest, Old National proudly serves clients primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. With approximately $71 billion of assets and $38 billion of assets under management, Old National ranks among the top 25 banking companies headquartered in the United States. Tracing our roots to 1834, Old National focuses on building long term, highly valued partnerships with clients while also strengthening and supporting the communities we serve. In addition to providing extensive services in consumer and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth management and capital markets services.
Polsinelli is an Am Law 100 firm with more than 1,200 attorneys in 25 offices nationwide. Recognized as one of the top firms for excellent client service and client relationships, Polsinelli is committed to meeting our clients' expectations of what a law firm should be. Our attorneys provide value through practical legal counsel infused with business insight, offering comprehensive corporate, transactional, litigation and regulatory services with a focus on health care, real estate, finance, technology, private equity and life sciences. Polsinelli PC, Polsinelli LLP in California, Polsinelli PC (Inc) in Florida.
Wipfli ranks among the top 20 accounting and business consulting firms in the nation with over 3,000 associates, 48 offices in the United States, four offices in India, and an office in the Philippines. Wipfli is also a member of Allinial Global, an accounting firm association of legally independent accounting and consulting firms with offices in North America and throughout the world through international members and partnerships. We enjoy a solid reputation as industry experts and as a trusted business advisor to more than 54,000 clients including: Manufacturing and distribution, contractors and developers, real estate, health care organizations, financial institutions, financial services, nonprofits, private equity, agribusiness, tribal gaming, technology, units of government, dealerships and individuals.
Global Midwest Alliance Global Midwest Alliance is a business-led, region-wide, not-for-profit educational organization providing high impact industry programs that foster collaboration, innovation and investment. A recognized leader in economic development in the Midwest, the Alliance aligns and integrates resources throughout the Midwest helping businesses to grow by leveraging existing resources to develop new products and find customers throughout the world. The Alliance is the Private Sector Liaison Office for the World Bank and a member of Global CONNECT. Through these and other affiliations, the Alliance facilitates access to global business opportunities for Midwest business through 155 groups in 98 countries around the world.
Member of
AGENDA
Registration, Networking and Lunch
Welcome and Keynote Introduction
2026 Economic Outlook
David Oppedahl, Policy Advisor, The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Questions for Keynote
Bob Swanson, Senior Vice President, Old National Bank
Introduction of Manufacturing Industry Keynote
Christopher Blaylock, Partner, Wipfli
The Manufacturing Industry's Economic Outlook
Chris Chidzik, Principal Economist, The Association for Manufacturing Technology
Questions for Chris Chidzik
Christopher Blaylock, Partner, Wipfli
Introduction of Bob Swanson, Senior Vice President, Old National Bank
Anthony Nasharr, Shareholder, Polsinelli
Interest Rate Outlook
Tom Plodzeen, Senior Vice President of Interest Rate Risk Management,, Old National Bank
Questions for Bob Swanson
Anthony Nasharr, Shareholder, Polsinelli
Networking
11:30 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
12:20 p.m.
1:05 p.m.
1:15 p.m.
1:20 p.m.
1:50 p.m.
1:55 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
2:20 p.m.
PROGRAM SPONSORED BY
HOST
