Speaker lineup announced for 2026 Economic Outlook Conference

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Though still more than two weeks away, the 2026 Economic Outlook Conference – the annual event hosted by The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce – is shaping up to be the most popular yet, with a full slate of speakers and panelists and an estimated audience of an excess of 700 attendees. The event, sponsored by Entergy, will take place on Friday, February 6 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center.

The EOC features global, national and local experts sharing valuable information about economic trends and policy updates; it is also designed to provide opportunities for attendees to engage in one-on-one conversations with industry leaders and peers alike, building connections that are the foundation for successful partnerships that drive economic growth.

The speaker lineup this year is headlined by veteran financial broadcast journalist and bestselling author, Ron Insana. Ron delivers clear insights that business leaders and financial professionals can use to make smarter decisions. A pioneering figure in television financial news who was named one of the ‘Top 100 Business News Journalists of the 20th Century,’, Ron currently hosts The Market Score Board Report, a nationally syndicated radio program. As former CEO of an AI-powered stock research platform, he had a front row seat to the transformative AI revolution; additionally, he is founder and CEO of The Insana Entertainment Group, a film and TV production company. Ron is also the author of four book on investing and financial markets dynamics.

“With market and economic outlook experts, local and regional decision-makers and industry voices, you’ll gain timely, actionable insights that position your business ahead of the curve, helping you plan smarter and move faster,” said Chamber president and CEO Aaron Cox in a statement.

Other speakers include Mark Cunningham, global managing director of the Texas Stock Exchange; John Murphy, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Jesse B. Thompson, small business economist of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; Daniel Potter, director for the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University; and Adriana Cruz, executive director of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office in Governor Greg Abbott’s administration.

Local economic updates will be provided by Aaron Cox, chairman of The Woodlands Township Board Brad Bailey, and CEO of The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership Jevon Gibb. The CEO panel will include moderator Justin Kendrick, SVP & CEO of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands; Steven Prusak, president and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical; David L. Calendar, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System; and Peter Huntsman, chairman, president, and CEO of Huntsman Corporation.

Sponsorship opportunities for levels ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 are still available to this premier business event in The Woodlands area where you can showcase your company with other industry leaders to an audience who attendance includes industry leaders, elected officials, C-level professionals, the media, and business community.

More information can be found at www.woodlandschamber.org/economic-outlook-conference/.