M7 State of the Region

 

Join us for a morning that will shape how our region thinks about growth.  This inaugural event will bring together M7 investors, economic development stakeholders, development partners and board members from across southeastern Wisconsin.  We'll open with a first look at brand new data on the M7 region's economic competitiveness and growth trajectory, then turn to a conversation with Derek Thompson, bestselling author of Abundance, founder and host of the Plain English podcast, and one of the nation's sharpest minds on economic growth, technology and the future of work. 

Agenda

8:00AM    Registration, Networking, and Breakfast 
8:30AM    Welcome and Opening Remarks
                  M7 Chairperson's Update
8:45AM   The State of the M7 Region: Trends, Strengths, and Opportunities
                    Insights from the Regional Competitive Analysis
9:15AM     Keynote Speaker
                    Derek Thompson

See the detailed agenda and event details.

 

Derek Thompson is a writer, author, and podcast host who explores the forces shaping the modern economy, technology, work, and culture. He is the co-author, with Ezra Klein, of Abundance, a #1 New York Times bestseller examining American politics, liberalism, and the challenges of building for the future. After 17 years as a staff writer at The Atlantic, Derek launched his own Substack in 2025 and continues to contribute to the magazine.

He is the founder and host of Plain English, one of the country's leading podcasts on current events, economics, technology, and society. Derek is also the author of Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction, a national bestseller on the psychology of popularity and culture, and Derek Thompson on Work, a collection of essays exploring the changing nature of labor, innovation, and economic opportunity.

Known for translating complex economic and social trends into clear, engaging insights, Derek is a sought-after speaker on the future of work, growth, technology, and the ideas shaping America’s next chapter.