Greater Raleigh Chamber Blog

January is when momentum is created. Before the first quarter is fully underway, business leaders across the Triangle are already making decisions that will influence hiring, expansion, real estate, and investment for the rest of the year.
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At its best, a forecast is not about predicting the future; it’s about helping leaders recognize the forces shaping it and adjusting strategy accordingly. That’s why our annual Economic Forecast brings together national economic perspective and regional insight, helping business and civic leaders ground their planning in data and informed discussion.

Rather than approaching the Forecast as a single morning of information, leaders can use it as a multi-step planning resource:

Before the event:
Participants are encouraged to review available data and reports in advance and arrive with questions for the presenters and panelists.

• Find Speaker Presentations Here

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During the program:
Economic Forecast 2026 will feature briefings on national and regional economic conditions, followed by a panel discussion examining how those trends are influencing business decisions across industries. Participants will use expert insights to test assumptions, assess risk, and identify emerging opportunities. Live audience questions may be submitted to [email protected].

After the event:
Block 30 minutes after the event to jot down 3 takeaways and 1 action step. Share key insights with your leadership, board, or team to help everyone get aligned on the trends most likely to shape your strategy. A full recording of the program will also be available after the event.

• You can find a copy of the publication released at the event, Wake County Economic Development’s Economy & Business, ⁠here.

Economic Forecast 2026 takes place on Tuesday, January 6, at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh, with registration and networking beginning at 7 a.m. and the program running from 8 to 10 a.m. For those unable to attend in person, the full program will be livestreamed by WRAL, ensuring leaders across the region can engage with the insights and discussion shaping the year ahead.

In a region defined by growth and complexity, clarity is a competitive advantage. The Economic Forecast is one of the ways the Greater Raleigh Chamber helps leaders step back, assess conditions beyond their own organizations, and move forward with greater confidence. Thank you to our generous sponsors who helped make this year’s event possible:

Duke Energy​

Highwoods Properties, Inc.
Martin Marietta
Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina 
The Resolute Building Company

​On Monday, October 20, the Greater Raleigh Chamber’s Annual Golf Tournament brought members and regional leaders together for a full day of connection, competition, and community support at Prestonwood Country Club.

The day teed off with a special guest on the driving range — Roary, the NC Courage mascot — who helped golfers warm up and set the tone for a fun, relaxed start. Once teams headed out across the Highlands, Meadows, and Fairways courses, the competition got underway, but the real focus of the day was building relationships in a unique, informal setting. Find a few pictures from the event here.
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After 18 holes of play, we gathered to celebrate the day’s top performers. Congratulations to the teams who walked away with bragging rights on each course, as well as the individual contest winners.

​Along the course, players had the chance to engage with dozens of Chamber sponsors who hosted tented holes, contests, and giveaways. From branded snacks and drinks to quick games and raffles, the sponsor experience brought an added layer of energy, making each hole feel like more than just another shot.

To everyone who played, supported, volunteered, or sponsored — thank you. Events like this work because of the people and businesses who show up, get involved, and make it more than just a tournament.

​Thank you once again for your ongoing support! If you would like to secure your sponsorship for next year’s tournament or have general sponsorship questions, please email [email protected].
 
We look forward to hitting the links with you again in 2026!

October 15 is Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day 2025 and there is no better time to celebrate the Greater Raleigh Chamber and everything we do to grow our economy, connect leaders, and strengthen local businesses.
 
This year, we are inviting you to show your support in a fun way: nominate us for the new Monopoly: Raleigh Edition board! Raleigh is getting its own official Monopoly game, and you can help decide what landmarks and local organizations make the board. We would be honored to be included and with your help, we just might pass go!
 
🎯 Here’s how you can help:

1. Email your nomination to: [email protected],
2. Fill out the form at this link,
3. Or post on Instagram using #MonopolyRaleigh and tagging @toptrumpsusa, with this special image.

📝 Suggested message:
“The Greater Raleigh Chamber builds a thriving business landscape, connects leaders, and drives growth in our city. They’re a must-have on the #MonopolyRaleigh board! I nominate them today, on Support Your Local Chamber Day!”
 
Your support means everything — on this day and every day. Thank you for being part of our Chamber community!

Raleigh isn’t growing by accident – it’s being led there, strategically, by some of the most forward-thinking leaders in business, education, healthcare, law, and innovation. The Greater Raleigh Chamber is proud to announce our 2025-2026 Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
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Whether they are driving billion-dollar infrastructure, nurturing small business ecosystems, or shaping the future of workforce development – these are the people helping us move our region forward.

Travis Brisbon, Brisbon Transportation Group, Vice Chair of Member Services & Small Business
Dan Cahill, Poyner Spruill LLP, Past Chair - 2022-2023
Paul Erunse, MetLife, Vice Chair of Economic Development
Brian Fork, Carolina Hurricanes, At Large
Baker Glasgow, Clancy & Theys Construction Company, At Large
Heather Gray, WRAL-TV Channel 5, Vice Chair of Marketing & Communications
Gary Greene, Greene Resources, Past Chair - 2023 - 2024
Barbara Griffith, M.D., Duke Health, At Large
Kristen M. Hess, FAIA, HH Architecture, Chair of the Board
Russell Killen, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, Treasurer
Kevin McLaughlin, Duke Energy, At Large
Jon Mize, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, Vice Chair of Government Affairs & Community Development
Mitch Perry, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Chair-Elect
Rebecca Quinn-Wolf, PNC, Vice Chair of the Raleigh Chamber Foundation
Brian Reid, TowneBank , Vice Chair of Revenue Development
Ford Robertson, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, General Counsel
Shan Teel, First Citizens Bank, Immediate Past Chair

This 50+ member board represents every corner of the region’s economy, from innovation to infrastructure and finance to philanthropy.

• 13 new members on the Board this year
• 3 past Chairs continuing to serve
• 1 shared vision for a stronger Triangle

These leaders go beyond attending meetings; they set the tone for how our community grows. They weigh in on priorities that impact businesses of all sizes, advise on regional talent strategy, and advocate for infrastructure, mobility, and quality of life.

Their expertise helps us:

• Secure regional economic investments
• Strengthen the workforce pipeline
• Support small businesses
• Shape advocacy and policy priorities

​We invite you to be part of our journey by joining us at our upcoming events, exploring sponsorship opportunities, and leveraging our member benefits. Together with more than 1,800 member firms, we can make a meaningful impact and shape the future of our thriving and vibrant business community. With their visionary leadership and your engagement, we’re not just keeping up with the region’s growth – we are driving it.

As we celebrate International Women's Day (IWD) on March 8, 2025, the global theme, Accelerate Action, calls on individuals, organizations, and communities to take steps toward closing the gender gap. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it could take another 135 years to reach full gender parity. Now, more than ever, we must focus on accelerating the momentum for change.

One of the most impactful actions we can take is to actively support and empower the women who are leading the charge—whether through mentorship, access to resources, or, most importantly, by stepping into leadership roles ourselves.

That's where the Greater Raleigh Chamber's Women's Leadership Conference presented by PNC comes in.
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This year’s conference, taking place on March 25 and just a few weeks after International Women’s Day, is the perfect platform to Accelerate Action for gender equality in your own life and career. The theme for this year’s conference, Champions of Change, aligns perfectly with the global IWD call to action for 2025. The conference will empower you to be an agent of transformation, whether in your personal development, your workplace, or your community. Register now here.

 Meet Jess Ekstrom: A True Champion of Change

Breakout Sessions Focused on Women’s Advancement
The conference offers a variety of breakout sessions that will expand your professional toolkit and forge meaningful connections. These sessions include:

• Success in Succession: Build a pipeline of capable leaders and foster a culture of growth with insights from Katherine Peele of LS3P Associates, Matt Chambers of Clancy & Theys Construction, and Laura Goode of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, and Amy Carroll of Trademark Properties on leadership development strategies.
• Demystifying AI: Practical Tools for the Professional Toolbox: Explore the essential artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance productivity as Angela Doughty of Ward and Smith, P.A., Dirk Nicol or My AI Transformation, and Ada Lopez of Lenovo, and Rod Ellis of MetLife discuss how industries leverage generative AI for innovation.
• The Talent Spectrum: Building a Team Beyond the Checklist: Join a dynamic panel discussion focused on building teams that excel, empowering leaders to identify and leverage a wide range of skills within their teams to drive organizational success with Lindsay Wrege of 321 Coffee, Becca Egger-Alley of UBS, Allison Manning of Dean Dorton, and Cristina Colón of Habitat for Humanity.
• Frustration to Freedom: Dismantling Workplace Barriers: Empower women in leadership roles as Creighton Blackwell of Coastal Credit Union, Kristen Englehart of Brasco Marketing, and Rebecca Troyer of Triangle Business Journal share strategies for overcoming challenges and fostering resilience.​
• Building Financial Confidence: Foster financial confidence and independence by learning key tools and strategies for women to take control of their financial futures with Che-Che McCrimmon of PNC Bank, Sandra Stowe of White Owl Financial Advisors, and Jessica Wisniewski of RTP.
• Mastering Difficult Conversations: Master the essential skills for handling difficult conversations as Nicole Blake-Crigler of North Carolina Football Club, Erica DeLong of iHeartMedia, and Josh Stimpson of Hitachi Energy provide strategies for effective communication and relationship-building.
• Community Engagement: A Catalyst for Change: Harness the power of community engagement to foster personal and professional growth with Sarah Crawford of TLC, Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas, Gary Greene of Greene Resources, and Lori O'Keefe of Triangle Community Foundation.
• Networking With Purpose: Refine your networking skills and make meaningful connections as Meredith Pasekoff-Dinitz, Founder of Your Career Happiness Professional Coaching, leads an interactive session designed to enhance your relationships.

Register Today
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By attending the Women's Leadership Conference 2025, you will not only be contributing to the momentum of accelerating action for gender equality, but you will also leave with practical knowledge and inspiration that will make you a catalyst for change in your organization and beyond.
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Register Now for the 2025 Women's Leadership Conference

As we step into a new year, there’s no better way to get the momentum rolling for your business than Economic Forecast: Launch 2025, the Triangle area’s premier economic forecast event, presented by Wells Fargo. Whether you are attending in person or watching via the WRAL livestream (see below), this event is designed to provide the insights, trends, and predictions you need to make informed decisions in 2025. Access the livestream here on January 7 at 8 a.m.

​This year’s Economic Forecast offers unparalleled value for business leaders and professionals in the Triangle area, featuring expert insights into local commercial real estate and the national business economy landscape. Scheduled for January 7, 2025, the event will be held at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts from 7 to 10 a.m. Presenters sharing their insights will include:

• Tom Barkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
• Jay H. Bryson, Ph.D., Chief Economist at Wells Fargo & Company

These experts will be joined by local industry leaders Calvin J. Crosslin from the Lenovo Foundation and Billie Redmond of TradeMark Properties as part of a dynamic panel discussion and Q&A session. Together, they will provide an in-depth look at the economic landscape of 2025, and help you understand how macroeconomic factors may impact your business, investment strategies, and the regional economy.

​We are pleased to announce that Economic Forecast: Launch 2025 will be livestreamed for free thanks to our media partner WRAL-TV Channel 5. You can catch the event at 8 a.m. on January 7 via www.wral.com or on the WRAL News app. You can also follow along on social media using the hashtag #RCLaunch2025 for real-time updates and discussions.

To help you stay informed throughout the year, we encourage you to visit the digital Economy & Business Publication from Wake County Economic Development and the Jay H. Bryson presentation. These online resources provide updates and data that will complement the insights shared at this year’s event, helping you stay ahead of economic and industry-specific trends in our region.

This year’s Greater Raleigh Chamber Golf Tournament was a tremendous success! On a brisk fall morning this October, hundreds of business professionals, Triangle leaders, and community partners teed up to connect and show their support for the Chamber while enjoying a perfect day on the green. The event provided a valuable opportunity for networking, connecting, team building, and friendly competition - all while raising essential funds for the Chamber's initiatives.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and made this event possible. Your presence added to the day’s excitement and fostered a spirit of collaboration we are proud our region is known for. Golfers had the chance to showcase their skills on the course and we are very excited to announce the winners here.

​Congratulations to all our champions and thank you again to everyone who sponsored and made this year’s Greater Raleigh Chamber Golf Tournament such a memorable event. ​Your continued support ensures that we can continue to serve, building a thriving regional economy, enhancing the community’s quality of life, and strengthening our member businesses.

​As Raleigh plans for its future, Transit Oriented Development has emerged as a key strategy for sustainable equitable development. Over the past five months, the Raleigh City Council has been developing a vision aimed at supporting growth and development alongside sustainable transit solutions. Central to this vision is the Transit Overlay District, a zoning innovation focused on bolstering transit lines such as the upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system by providing them with the density they need to ensure ridership. On July 2, the council completed rezoning over 600 individual property parcels along the New Bern Avenue corridor to complement the BRT system, aligning future development with the new mass transit system.

​A Transit Overlay District is a specialized zoning tool designed to maximize the effectiveness of transit systems by promoting compact, mixed-use developments around transit hubs and stations. These districts encourage the density necessary to sustain and enhance transit ridership, aligning with Raleigh’s commitment to sustainable urban planning and improved accessibility.
Raleigh’s initiative to establish Transit Overlay Districts is part of a broader strategy to integrate transit planning with urban development goals. Transit systems need density to be able to function. By concentrating jobs, retail spaces, and multifamily housing near transit hubs, the city aims to create vibrant, walkable communities that reduce car dependence and enhance the urban environment.

​With the recent groundbreaking of the Bus Rapid Transit system on the New Bern Avenue corridor, there is a high level of interest from both city council and local citizens to get the development around this first BRT installment right. By dividing zoning decisions into 6 zones along New Bern Avenue, instead of rezoning the whole line at once, the City Council was able to better tailor zoning decisions to diverse community needs—from historic residential areas to bustling business zones and healthcare facilities.
The success of the New Bern Avenue Transit Overlay District is not only about immediate impacts but also about laying the groundwork for the three remaining legs of this system: North up Capitol Blvd., South down Wilmington Ave., and West along Western Blvd. A thriving transit corridor here could strengthen public support and attract additional funding for further transit developments, benefiting the entire city.

​As Raleigh continues to evolve, initiatives like the Transit Overlay District demonstrate the city’s proactive approach to urban planning. By integrating transit infrastructure with thoughtful zoning policies, Raleigh is paving the way for a more sustainable and connected future.
Stay informed about developments like the Transit Overlay District and other legislative updates by visiting our webpage or following us on all social media platforms at @raleighchamber.
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For more information on Raleigh’s Transit Overlay District and related projects, please visit the City of Raleigh’s official webpage.

​As we approach the upcoming November elections, Wake County voters will have the opportunity to vote on a $142 million bond referendum aimed at enhancing and expanding our local library facilities across Wake County.

This bond referendum, if approved, will fund a series of projects designed to meet the growing needs of our county by implementing a $131 tax increase on the median home price in Wake County (.25-cent tax increase per $100 of assessed valuation).
Projects include:

• Construction of 2 new libraries in fast-growing areas, including Rolesville’s first local library ($51.9 million)
• Renovation and expansion of 9 existing libraries to improve accessibility and enhance services ($55.6 million)
• Replacements of the Wendell Community Library and the Athens Drive Community Library ($34.5 million)

These investments mark the first bond funding dedicated to Wake County libraries since 2007. This investment ensures our libraries remain vibrant community spaces by providing access to educational resources, cultural enrichment, and services for all residents.
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Our libraries are more than just buildings—they are catalysts for economic development and essential contributors to a high quality of life. They support lifelong learning, workforce development, and innovation, making our region more attractive to businesses and families. A well-funded library system enhances property values, supports workforce readiness, and fosters a culture of innovation—all critical elements for Wake County to remain one of the fastest-growing counties in the country. By investing in our libraries, we invest in the future competitiveness and attractiveness of our community for businesses and residents alike.
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For detailed information on the proposed projects and how you can get involved, please visit the official Wake County Government website.