Salina showed up strong for Think! 2025 — a full day of big ideas, bold leaders, and breakthrough thinking. The Stiefel Theater was full of business owners, community influencers, and professionals who care deeply about the future of our region.
As a sponsor and participant, we were honored to invest in this region we’ve called home for decades. Together, we explored what it means to lead with clarity, integrity, and courage in a world that’s constantly shifting.
What We Heard from the Stage
Each of the five featured speakers offered a timely reminder for anyone leading people, businesses, or families:
- Art Athens challenged us to “sweep the shed.” Great leaders do the menial work first, lead by serving, and set reminders to never lose sight of their values.
- Casey Brown showed, with real-time polling, that most businesses have more pricing power than they realize. Her message: know your worth, and price with confidence.
- Phil Gwoke reminded us that millennials aren’t lazy, Gen Z wants to grow, and “in times of change, learners inherit the earth.” Adapting and learning is leadership.
- Janet Evans, four-time Olympic gold medalist, told stories of perseverance and purpose — how carrying the Olympic torch in Atlanta meant more than all her medals combined.
- And Brian Beaulieu, CEO of ITR Economics, gave us the gift of clarity about the economic road ahead.
Brian Beaulieu: Data Over Drama
We’ve followed Brian and ITR Economics for years because they bring something rare to the table: a reliably data-driven approach and historical focus on long-term economic trends. Their forecasting track record and his insights contribute to informing our economic outlook as we develop client portfolio strategies – especially as we prepare for varied market environments.
Brian reminded us that data must drive decisions, not politics. His message was refreshingly balanced:
- The U.S. economy still looks healthy through 2029.
- Consumers are spending (even adjusted for inflation).
- More Americans are paying down credit cards than before COVID.
But beyond that, he warned of a challenging first half of the 2030s, driven by demographics, health care costs, and sovereign debt across nations. In his words: “This isn’t about Red or Blue. It’s math.”
The takeaway? We must prepare during the fat years — to thrive during the lean ones. Like Joseph in Genesis, wise leadership means producing, saving, and investing strategically now so opportunity doesn’t pass us by later.
Our Commitment to Salina’s Future
At The Weddle Team, we believe economic foresight only matters if it leads to wise action. That’s why we integrate ITR’s research into our quarterly reviews, our structured note strategies, and every client conversation about risk, growth, and opportunity.
This event wasn’t just about economics — it was about leadership. Every speaker reminded us that good leadership starts with humility, learning, and service. Salina has those traits in abundance, and that gives us hope for what’s ahead.
Your Turn: Reflect and Respond
We’d love to hear from you — whether you joined us in the theater or are just catching up here.
Send us your 3-2-1:
- 3 highlights from your Think! 2025 experience
- 2 ideas to make next year even better
- 1 action you’re going to take as a result
Because the true measure of an event like this isn’t what happens on stage — it’s what we do next.
Closing Thought
“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” — Eric Hoffer
Let’s keep learning, leading, and investing in the future of our community — together.
Investment advisory services are offered exclusively through Keating Financial Advisory Services (KFAS) and are provided pursuant to a written agreement and the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A. Clients may incur separate fees and expenses from custodians, mutual funds, ETFs, or other investment products, which are independent of KFAS advisory fees. All recommendations are made in the best interest of the client.