Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak and Jack Crivici-Kramer, co-host of the nationally recognized business podcast The Best One Yet, will serve as keynote speakers at the 2026 Vermont Economic Conference. The event, organized by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, is set for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Hotel Champlain in Burlington. This year’s conference is expected to draw hundreds of business leaders, policymakers, and economic analysts for a full day of data-driven discussions and strategic planning. n nThe keynote session, titled Finance, Storytelling, and the Forces Shaping the Economy, will blend Pieciak’s expertise in public finance and economic policy with Crivici-Kramer’s narrative-focused approach to market dynamics. Attendees will gain insights into capital flows, macroeconomic trends, and how national developments affect local enterprises. n nAmy Spear, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the relevance of the dialogue: “This conversation delivers timely, meaningful content that business decision-makers need. It combines rigorous economic analysis with compelling storytelling to clarify complex trends.” n nAdditional sessions will feature leading experts presenting on critical economic indicators. Mat Barewicz from the Vermont Department of Labor will deliver the State Economic Outlook, analyzing labor supply, employment patterns, and economic momentum. Thomas Feltmate of TD Economics will follow with a national perspective, interpreting inflation, interest rates, and growth forecasts for regional stakeholders. n nSpear will also present findings from the 2025 Business Climate Survey, linking employer sentiment to actionable policy recommendations. A forward-looking panel led by Kevin Chu of the Vermont Futures Project will explore long-term challenges including demographic shifts, workforce development, housing availability, and economic competitiveness. n nRecognized as a cornerstone event for Vermont’s economic planning, the conference reflects the Chamber’s mission to support sustainable growth through advocacy, collaboration, and resource sharing. Presenting sponsors include Comcast, TD Bank, and Union Mutual, with additional backing from A.N. Deringer, VEDA, VELCO, and VGS. Registration and further details are available at vtchamber.com/economicconference. n
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Pieciak and Crivici-Kramer to keynote the 2026 Vermont Economic Conference
Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, right, and Jack Crivici-Kramer. n nVermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has announced that Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak will join Jack Crivici-Kramer, co-host of the nationally celebrated business podcast The Best One Yet, as keynote speakers at the 2026 Vermont Economic Conference, Vermont’s premier economic event. The conference will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Hotel Champlain in Burlington. n nIn a fast-paced keynote conversation titled Finance, Storytelling, and the Forces Shaping the Economy, Pieciak and Crivici-Kramer will explore the economic forces influencing Vermont and the broader national landscape. The discussion will pair Pieciak’s perspective on public finance and state economic stewardship with Crivici-Kramer’s story-driven approach to business news and market trends, offering clarity on where money is moving and what today’s headlines mean for Vermont businesses. n n“This is exactly the kind of conversation business leaders are looking for right now,” said Amy Spear, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “It’s timely, substantive, and engaging—combining real economic insight with sharp storytelling to help people better understand what’s happening in the economy and why it matters.” n nThe keynote anchors a must-attend agenda that brings together hundreds of business leaders, policymakers, and economic experts from across the state for a full day of data-informed insight and forward-looking discussion. Sessions include: n nState Economic Outlook: Mat Barewicz, Economic & Labor Market Information Chief at the Vermont Department of Labor, will provide a data-driven assessment of Vermont’s economy, including labor market conditions, workforce trends, and the forces shaping the state’s economic trajectory. n nNational Economic Outlook: Thomas Feltmate, Director and Senior Economist at TD Economics, will deliver a big-picture view of the U.S. economy, translating trends in growth, inflation, interest rates, and labor markets into clear implications for Vermont businesses and investment decisions. n nFrom Sentiment to Strategy: Drawing on the 2025 Business Climate Survey, Vermont Chamber President Amy Spear will connect business sentiment to economic reality, showing how employer data is informing policy priorities and shaping Vermont’s economic future. n nBuilding Vermont’s Economic Future: Guided by Kevin Chu, Executive Director of the Vermont Futures Project, this forward-looking panel will examine the demographic, workforce, housing, and competitiveness trends shaping Vermont’s economic direction over the next decade. n nThe Vermont Economic Conference is widely regarded as a must-attend event for leaders shaping Vermont’s economic future and reflects the Vermont Chamber’s commitment to advancing the Vermont economy through advocacy, community, and resources. n nPresenting sponsors include Comcast, TD Bank, and Union Mutual. Additional support is provided by A.N. Deringer, Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), and VGS. For more information and to register for the 2026 Vermont Economic Conference, visit vtchamber.com/economicconference. n nAbout the Vermont Chamber of Commerce n nThe Vermont Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to advancing the Vermont economy. Trusted by the businesses that make living, working, and thriving in Vermont possible, we prioritize collaboration and uphold the core values that define our state. As the preeminent not-for-profit business organization, we advocate, build community, and provide resources for businesses statewide. n nMontpelier, VT (December 18, 2025) – The Vermont Chamber of Commerce