Event Information
Date
Nov 13, 2026 @ 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Organizer
Location
Riverhouse Convention Center
3075 N. Business 97, Bend
3075 N. Business 97, Bend
2026 Impact Conference
Resilience Through Collaboration
Building Stronger Organizations Together
Today's workplaces are navigating constant change, evolving workforce expectations and economic uncertainty. The organizations that thrive aren't facing these challenges alone. They're learning from one another, sharing ideas and building resilience through collaboration.
Join business and community leaders from across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest for the 2026 Impact Conference, a dynamic morning of practical ideas, meaningful conversations and fresh perspectives to help strengthen your organization and prepare for what's next.
We're excited to welcome Anja Taylor, President of Kinesis, as this year's keynote speaker. Drawing on decades of experience working alongside organizations through change, Anja will share inspiring stories, practical strategies and real-world examples of how collaboration, strong workplace culture and innovative thinking help organizations adapt, overcome challenges and thrive.
Beyond the keynote, you'll engage in interactive Power Rounds, hear a forward-looking regional economic forecast and connect with professionals across industries who are navigating many of the same opportunities and challenges. You'll leave with fresh ideas, practical takeaways and new connections you can put to work right away.
Save the date. Registration opens soon, with additional speakers and conference details coming in the weeks ahead.
Speakers
Anja Taylor
President, Kinesis
Diana Cutaia
President & Founder, Coaching Peace
Laura Handy
Executive Director, Heart of Oregon Corps
Jason Myhre
Chief Communications Officer, Pahlisch Homes
Steve Augstyn
CEO, Oregon Beverage Collective
Andy Rhine
President, Oregon Beverage Collective
Damon Runberg
State Economist, Business Oregon
Presentation details & schedule
Expand each session below for speaker details and what to expect — four presentations, a look at the year's economic outlook, your emcee, and the full morning schedule.
The strongest ideas rarely happen in isolation. They happen when people come together, challenge assumptions, share perspectives and find new ways forward.
Anja Taylor, President of Kinesis, will bring this year's theme to life through a keynote that is part conversation, part participation and anything but passive. Alongside Diana Cutaia of Coaching Peace, Anja will invite the room into the experience, creating opportunities to connect, exchange ideas and think differently about how we work together.
The goal is for attendees to leave with more than inspiration — with new perspectives, meaningful connections and practical ideas they can bring back to their businesses, teams and community.
What happens when an industry comes together to invest in its future workforce? This Power Round highlights the collaboration between the COBA Workforce Advisory Board (CWAB) and Heart of Oregon Corps, including the industry-wide effort that helped bring Heart of Oregon Corps' Redmond campus to life.
We'll hear how builders and industry partners rallied around a shared workforce challenge, supporting an organization that is preparing the next generation for careers in construction. It's a great example of how collaboration can create impact far beyond a single project or organization.
Sometimes, the strongest industries are built through collaboration, not competition. The Oregon Beverage Collective brings Central Oregon craft beverage producers together to tackle shared challenges, create new opportunities and strengthen the industry as a whole.
They'll share how local producers are putting "collaboration over competition" into practice — from sharing resources and knowledge to finding creative ways to support one another and build greater resilience.
Damon Runberg will close out the conference with a look at the economic forces shaping Central Oregon and what they mean for the road ahead.
From the challenges facing local businesses to the opportunities emerging across our region, Damon will connect the dots and explore how a strong, connected business community can help Central Oregon adapt, grow and thrive.
Diana Cutaia of Coaching Peace will be the thread that ties the day together, guiding conversations, connecting ideas and creating moments that bring people into the experience.
With a focus on building stronger teams and cultures through connection, empathy and collaboration, Diana will help us move beyond simply hearing great ideas to thinking about how we can put them into action together.
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