High-amenity communities have always been a desirable place to live. Still, in the last few years, through paradigm shifts and work location flexibility, some of these communities have experienced exponential growth in ways they could have never prepared for. From infrastructure to housing and transportation, among other challenges, my presentation will cover identifying primary areas of focus and ways that Bend and Central Oregon communities can work collaboratively and proactively to mitigate the impacts of rapid growth as much as possible. The business community is essential to achieving innovative and sustainable solutions. I will share research from my article “The Amenity Trap” of what has worked (and not worked) in comparable settings to what you are all experiencing in Bend. The culture of Bend is unique, but the challenges are not. We’ll discuss how to learn from our history and plan intentionally for the future.

Economic Outlook

DAMON RUNBERG

State Economist, Business Oregon

How financially stable is your household? When asked, most people generally feel at least okay about their financial situation. But when asked how they feel about the state or national economy, they are far more discouraged. At the individual level, this can be true, but collectively, we can’t all be doing well while the state or national economy struggles. This means that these survey respondents are either overly optimistic about themselves or overly pessimistic about the broader economy. It’s a fun, if not nerdy, mystery to solve. Damon Runberg, State Economist for Business Oregon, will join us to dig into the psychology of self and see how accurate we are at assessing the economic and financial stability in our homes, communities, and the broader economy.

DR. LAWRENCE YUN

Chief Economist, National Association of REALTORS®

I will discuss the fascinating intersection of macroeconomics and the real estate market. Real estate plays a vital role in our economy, and understanding its dynamics within the broader macroeconomic context is essential.

We know that real estate is a critical driver of economic growth. When real estate thrives, it ripples positive effects throughout the economy.

Real estate also has a dual role as both an investment asset and a place to live or conduct business. This duality means that changes in economic conditions, such as inflation or economic downturns, can affect the demand for real estate differently. During periods of inflation, real estate is often seen as a hedge against rising prices, while economic downturns can lead to reduced demand for both residential and commercial properties. We will explore where we are currently and expect to be in the near future related to these topics.

Recruiting, training and retaining a high-performing team is challenging for nearly every business in Central Oregon, but there are some unique intricacies within the leisure and hospitality sector that make these processes distinctly difficult. In this session, we’ll provide timely metrics around hospitality industry labor trends in comparable destination communities to Bend. In addition, you’ll hear about local efforts and strategies underway to support the region’s industry workforce.

After a short presentation, the conversation will open for peers and colleagues to share and ask questions related to what they are experiencing in their day-to-day operations. You will be able to pose questions, ask for advice on strategy, or suggest areas in which other community partners could help support them.

The cat is out of the bag. Central Oregon is nationally recognized as a mecca for our outdoor recreation opportunities while still maintaining a relatively “small town feel” for such a desirable destination. A common and pressing concern many of us here locally are feeling is, “How are we going to grow? What are we doing now to preserve the people and amenities that have made this place so special?”

This discussion will address those questions by exploring policies and initiatives that promote economic vitality and innovation to support a vibrant community. From workforce challenges and attainable housing all the way to environmental stewardship and land use management, this breakout session will be a place for you to learn from local leaders and community partners about a shared vision of how Bend will grow strategically and responsibly for years to come.