Description

The Summit will begin Monday at 5:30 p.m. with a networking reception followed by dinner. After breakfast Tuesday morning, there will be three policy workshops focused on workforce, housing, and childcare, all of which will be key issues during the 2026 legislative session The workshops will include panel presentations by policy experts and be moderated by BIA’s policy staff. Networking breaks are also scheduled between the morning policy sessions. The Summit will conclude with a luncheon speaker. Online registration will close on Friday, December 5th at noon. 

2025 Agenda:

7 am to 8 am – Breakfast

8 am to 8:15 – Welcoming Remarks

8:15 to 9:15 – Momentum & Progress: Housing Solutions for NH

With only around 15% of Granite Staters able to afford a median cost single-family home, housing supply and affordability remains the number one concern for Granite Staters. With 87% of business leaders listing housing as a top concern, there is more work for the legislature to do to build on the progress made in 2025. Our panel of experts will discuss what is happening in the housing market and what more can be done to improve the supply and affordability of housing.

 Moderator: George Reagan, NH Housing

Nick Taylor, Housing Action NH

Corinne Benfield, Stay Work Play New Hampshire

Andrew Cline, Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

9:15 to 10:15 – Strategies to Improve Childcare Access & Affordability

With business leaders ranking the lack of available childcare options as a top challenge for attracting and retaining workers, the availability and affordability of childcare is one of the most significant factors impacting our state’s workforce. Our expert panel will share the challenges faced by the industry, barriers that need to be overcome, and where legislative action can make a difference in providing more options.

Moderator: Natch Greyes, BIA

Senator Tara Reardon, District 15

Chris Emond, Boys & Girls Club of Central and Northern NH

Michele Sheppard, The Granite YMCA

10:30 am to 11 am – Networking Break and Hotel Checkout

 11 am to Noon – Competing for Talent: How States Are Winning the Workforce Race

Kat Saunders, Economic Leadership LLC

Access to talent and available workforce is an essential pillar of state economic competitiveness. Kat Saunders, Partner & Head of Strategy for Economic Leadership LLC, will share the roadmap and best practices that leading states for business from across the US are using to attract the workforce needed to support economic growth. Kat will also share ideas and recommendations on how New Hampshire can start to align and coordinate its efforts to better compete nationally.

Noon to 1:30 pm – Lunch and the BIA 2026 Public Policy Priorities

1:30 pm Closing Remarks

Mike Skelton