Join us for this year’s Annual State of the Region on February 24th at 3:00 PM! This event will feature engaging discussions on data centers, housing, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and humanoid robotics.
Our panel discussions will focus on AI and housing, while our presentation and keynote speaker will explore the current state of manufacturing and the future implications and advancements of AI and robotics.
The event will be hosted at the La Crescent Area Event Center, and food will be provided.
🎟 Register for your ticket here!
📅 View the full panelist schedule below!
2026 State of the Region Conference Agenda:
- 3 p.m.: Welcome from Chris Hardie, 7 Rivers Alliance CEO
- 3:05 p.m.: Greeting from Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. by Deputy Secretary Sam Rikkers
- 3:20 p.m.: Data Center roundtable: Moderator Trica Braun, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Datacenter Coalition with panelists Ian Cochran, Economic Development Manager, Dairyland Power Cooperative; Mike Patterson, Area General Manager of Trane Co., and Laura Qualey, Regional Manager for Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA)
- 4:15 p.m.: State of Manufacturing: Buckley Brinckman, Executive Director/CEO Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity (WCMP)
- 4:45 p.m.: Housing roundtable: Regional examples of community housing projects — Moderator Chris Hardie with panelists Lane Manning, broker/associate for DreamLane Real Estate/Northpointe Development to discuss Viroqua Main Street project, Val Reinke, executive director of the Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism to discuss the Waukon apartment development and Kahya Fox, executive director of the La Crosse Habitat for Humanity to discuss the Hillsboro housing project.
- 5:30: Keynote speakesr: AI and humanoid robots – Josh Gamer from Western Technical College and Matt Kirchner, ATS Lab Midwest
- 6:30: Wrap-up, Chris Hardie. With optional networking to follow.
