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North Star Summit 2026

North Star Summit 2026

Our Events North Star Summit

North Star Summit 2026

This Event is Currently sold Out

About Schedule Sessions Speakers Sponsors Photos Location Contact

About

Participate in the Minnesota Star Tribune’s second-annual North Star Summit, the Midwest’s premier platform for ideas, influence and leadership. Featuring substantive talks, newsmaker interviews and panel discussions, this is where the region’s leaders shape what’s next.

Hear from the voices shaping the future of the Midwest and the nation, make connections that matter, and glean takeaways that will inform your daily life and work.

Schedule

VIP Dinner
6:00 to 9:00 PM

Summit Programming
7:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Summit Workshop
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Film: Remember The Titans

Panel Moderator

Jenny Berg - The Minnesota Star Tribune

Sessions

Some potential topics and breakout sessions include*:

The Midwest Moment: Why the Future of America Runs Through the Heartland

The Midwest Moment: Why the Future of America Runs Through the HeartlandA bold look at the place our region holds in the country.

More Details Coming Soon

The Next Big Thing: Startups Rewriting the Midwest Economy

The Next Big Thing: Startups Rewriting the Midwest Economy – Regional success stories with national lessons featuring founders and investors in food tech, ag tech and med tech.

More Details Coming Soon

Bridging the Divide: Rural and Urban Futures

Bridging the Divide: Rural and Urban Futures –Transportation, broadband, education access, and political polarization explored through the lens of rural leaders, mayors and technology innovators.

More Details Coming Soon

The Midwest Migration Story

The Midwest Migration Story – Examining our history with a focus on talent attraction, retention, AI’s impact and regional demographic shifts.

More Details Coming Soon

The Governors’ Agenda

The Governors’ Agenda – An examination of how Midwestern states are collaborating (or competing) on major issues including workforce, infrastructure, education, rural development and climate adaptation.

More Details Coming Soon

The Midwest's Role in Global Trade Amid Tariff Uncertainties

The Midwest's Role in Global Trade Amid Tariff Uncertainties – An exploration of how Midwestern industries, especially agriculture and manufacturing, are navigating the complexities of international trade and tariffs.

More Details Coming Soon

The Algorithm Next Door: AI in our Everyday

The Algorithm Next Door: AI in our Everyday – A session exploring how AI is impacting agriculture, health care and small businesses across the Midwest in a tangible and local way.

More Details Coming Soon

Get inside the Midwest Mind: Business Leaders in Conversation

Get inside the Midwest Mind: Business Leaders in Conversation –A forum for authentic, dynamic, substantive and actionable conversations between attendees and influential Midwest business leaders.

More Details Coming Soon

The States vs. Washington: Who’s Leading?

The States vs. Washington: Who’s Leading? – An examination of the risks and rewards of state and federal leadership at a time of national polarization

More Details Coming Soon

*Topics, breakout sessions and speakers are subject to change.

Schedule Coming Soon.

VIEW FULL SCHEDULE

2025 Speakers

The 2025 keynote featured a governor’s panel, led by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, along with top elected and business leaders from other states.

Governor Walz

Minnesota Governor

Governor Pritzker

Illinois Governor

Julia Coleman

Minnesota Senator
Carver County

Zach Duckworth

Minnesota Senator

Dr. Ronnie Chatterji

Chief Economist
Open AI

Danielle Russell

Managin Director: Data, Measurement, and Analytics
Google

Dessa

Musician, Speaker, and Writer

Dayna Frank

President and CEO First Avenue Productions

Gianrico Farrugia

President and CEO
Mayo Clinic

Gunjan Kedia

President and CEO
U.S. Bancorp

Beth Wozniak

Chair and CEO
nVent

Andrew Miller

Chief Operating Officer
Minnesota Vikings

Houston White

CEO and Entrepreneur
Houston White Ventures

Zachary Mannheimer

Founder and Chairman
Alquist 3D

Peter Leyden

Tech Expert and Futurist

Neel Kashkari

President and CEO
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Susan Brower

State Demographer
State of Minnesota

Ping Yeh

CEO
Voxci Health

Peter Meijer

Co-founder and Head of Strategy
The New Industrial Corporation

Myles Shaver

Professor and Associate Dean of Faculty and Research
University of Minnesota- Carlson School of Management

Curtis Sittenfeld

Bestselling American Novelist

Tim Pawlenty

Former Minnesota Governor

Josh Boak

White House Correspondent
The Associated Press

Allison Kaplan

Director of Innovation & Engagement
The Minnesota Star Tribune

Ernesto Londoño

National Correspondent
The New York Times

Lisa Lerer

National Political Correspondent
The New York Times

Steve Grove

CEO and Publisher
The Minnesota Star Tribune

Chanda Smith Baker

President & CEO
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Gavin Kaysen

Chef & Owner
Soigne

Rochelle Olson

Editorial Columnist
The Minnesota Star Tribune

Kristen Painter

Business Editor
The Minnesota Star Tribune

Phil Morris

Vice President & Opinion Editor
The Minnesota Star Tribune

2026 speakers will be announced soon!

Sponsors

Featured Sponsors

Special thanks to our featured Sponsor: Fairview Health Services.

Catan

Official Hiking Sponsor

Venture Bikes MN

Official Biking Sponsor

Winnebago Industries

Official Camping Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Additional Sponsors

If you're interested in event sponsorship, please contact Lauren.Pahl@startribune.com.

Photos

Location

Venue

Guthrie Theater

818 S 2nd Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Contact Info

The Minnesota Star Tribune Event Team

MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE

northstarsummit@startribune.com

This Event is Currently sold Out

VIEW FULL SCHEDULE

Schedule Coming Soon.