Aspen Economic Conference Convened in Tulsa
Local business owners and national leaders are meeting to discuss policy shifts in housing, AI, and energy security.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Regional Economics
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The Aspen Institute has launched a three-day economic conference in Tulsa, drawing 900 registered attendees to discuss the future of American economic policy. Sessions focus on critical sectors including manufacturing, labor, and artificial intelligence.
Why it matters
The event serves as a cross-sector exchange where business owners and policymakers analyze long-term trends in energy security and education. This dialogue aims to provide operators with new strategic perspectives on navigating changing economic opportunities.
The conference has attracted 900 registrants, with 35% to 45% of participants hailing from Oklahoma and the surrounding region. The event represents a move from the Aspen Institute, which has hosted its primary festival in Colorado for 20 years.
The players
Aspen Institute
A non-partisan research and policy organization that convenes global leaders to discuss critical societal and economic issues.
Monroe Nichols
The Mayor of Tulsa who spoke at the conference opening to address economic policy initiatives.
Ras J. Baraka
The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, who participated as a speaker during the opening night event.
Kevin Stitt
The Governor of Oklahoma who spoke at the opening night to outline the state's economic development objectives.
The details
The conference facilitates direct interaction between business leaders and government officials through a series of panel sessions and site visits. Attendees are touring historic areas such as the Greenwood District and the Art Deco District to contextualize their discussions on economic history. Policy tracks address operational challenges including labor market shifts, energy security requirements, and the integration of artificial intelligence.
Timeline
The conference began on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The event concludes on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Market Landscape
This conference marks a significant departure from the Aspen Institute's 20-year history of hosting its major festival in Colorado. The expansion into the Midwest reflects a growing trend of national policy organizations rotating locations to engage more directly with regional economic hubs.
Business owners should monitor policy discussions regarding artificial intelligence and energy, as these sectors are likely to see accelerated regulatory shifts following the conference. Keep an eye on local workforce development initiatives that may result from the policy frameworks presented during the sessions.
The takeaway
The conference highlights how national policy discussions are increasingly being decentralized to regional hubs. Operators should review the session notes released post-event to track shifts in manufacturing and housing policies that may influence local operating costs.
Further reading
For more on the regional economic climate, see our coverage in Regional Economics.
More information
View the agenda and full list of scheduled speakers on the Aspen Ideas conference information page.
Live Poll
Do you believe national policy conferences held in your area lead to positive local economic changes?
