More than 360 business and community leaders came together on September 24th at the Hickory Metro Convention Center for the 2025 Future of Catawba County Summit, Presented by Truist—a day dedicated to exploring the trends, opportunities, and challenges that will shape our region in the decade to come.
This year’s Summit placed a spotlight on talent—the defining factor in community and business success. The unveiling of the Catawba County Talent Strategy marked a milestone moment, representing months of collaboration with more than 300 leaders across business, government, and education. As Lindsay Keisler, President & CEO of The Chamber of Catawba County, reflected, “The future of Catawba County will be built through collaboration. We are proud to serve as a convener and champion of the business community, but it’s the collective leadership represented in this room that will carry our region forward.”
The day featured a lineup of thought leaders who delivered timely and impactful insights that pushed attendees to think boldly about the future:
Economic Outlook: The Road Ahead
Dylan Kase, Senior Investment Strategy Analyst at Truist, offered an in-depth look at the U.S. economy. While stability remains on the surface, he noted distortions shaping the market underneath. Consumers are still holding steady, supported by wage growth outpacing inflation. Yet challenges remain, particularly as the job market sits in a “no hire, no fire” mode. Looking forward, Dylan emphasized the likelihood of inflation ticking higher, compounded by the effects of tariffs on import-heavy industries. His session encouraged attendees to keep a sharp eye on labor market dynamics as the ultimate driver of economic resilience.
Successful Communities Prioritize Foresight
Ted Abernathy, Managing Partner of Economic Leadership, LLC, reminded attendees that the pace of change continues to accelerate. He guided participants through the megatrends shaping the future—artificial intelligence, medical breakthroughs, shifting demographics, and geopolitical complexities. Ted underscored that communities who thrive are those who don’t just adapt, but who anticipate what’s next. His message was clear: strategic foresight must be built into how we lead businesses and shape communities.
The Future of Talent in Catawba County
In one of the Summit’s most anticipated moments, Matt DeVeau, Principal of Broad Ripple Strategies, unveiled the Catawba County Talent Strategy. Built from the insights of more than 300 leaders across the county, this roadmap lays out bold priorities to expand the local workforce pipeline, retain top talent, and attract skilled workers to the region. Following Matt’s rollout, Allen Smith, President & CEO of OneSpartanburg, Inc., shared Spartanburg’s journey to align leaders across sectors around a common vision. His remarks underscored how alignment, persistence, and shared ownership can accelerate a community’s growth trajectory—an encouraging lesson as Catawba County embarks on its own talent strategy implementation.
Optimizing Organizations for the Future of Work with AI-First Business Processes
Mason Whitaker, President of Volt Technologies, closed the program by bringing technology into sharp focus. With real-world examples from industries already leveraging artificial intelligence and automation, Mason outlined how organizations can rethink business processes for both quick wins and long-term gains. He emphasized the importance of upskilling teams to embrace AI and encouraged leaders to start small but move fast in order to remain competitive. His session struck a balance of inspiration and practicality, leaving attendees with actionable steps to begin their AI journey.
Between sessions, attendees filled the networking lobby to reconnect with peers, exchange ideas, and spark new partnerships. That energy was best captured by Dana Killian, CEO of Carolina Caring and 2025 Chair of the Board of The Chamber of Catawba County, who shared, “The Summit reflects what makes Catawba County so special—leaders willing to think boldly, invest deeply, and act decisively. The energy and vision in the room were a reminder that together, we can shape a thriving future for our region.”
Together, we closed the Summit with a unified commitment: to move forward with clarity, courage, and collaboration. The future of Catawba County is bright—and it’s ours to shape.
The Chamber extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors who made the Summit possible:
Presenting Sponsor: Truist
Premier Sponsors: Appalachian State University, Catawba Valley Community College, Catawba Valley Health System, Corning, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, Frye Regional Medical Center, Peoples Bank, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Inc., and WHKY
Lunch Sponsor: Quest
Break Sponsor: Appalachian State University
Event Signage Sponsor: Redwood Hickory
Wi-Fi Sponsor: Paladin Business Consulting, LLC
Networking Lobby Sponsor: Home Instead