Next Event:
Forum Speaker Series – Oregon’s Prosperity Roadmap
WHEN: Monday, May 11, 2026, from 11:30AM to 1:00PM
WHERE: Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial Street SE
FEATURED SPEAKER: Tim Knopp, Oregon’s Chief Prosperity Officer and former Oregon Senator
Join us for our Forum Speaker Series Luncheon on May 11, as we welcome Oregon’s Chief Prosperity Officer, Tim Knopp, to provide an update on the work of the Governor’s newly formed Prosperity Council and what it hopes to achieve before delivering its final recommendations on June 30, 2026.
Comprising 16 members, including prominent Oregon business leaders from different regions of the state, the Prosperity Council is charged with recommending actionable steps to accelerate Oregon’s economy, create good-paying jobs, and recruit and grow Oregon’s businesses.
Join us to hear Chief Prosperity Officer Knopp’s role in this process and his perspective on how this council may be able to help expand our workforce and create a friendlier business climate here in Oregon.
TICKETS: $45 for Members; $75 for Future-Members
About Our Speaker:
Chief Prosperity Officer Tim Knopp served in the Oregon House of Representatives (HD54) from 1999 to 2005 before being elected to the Oregon Senate (SD 27) in 2013. He served as a state senator from 2013 to 2024, and as the Senate Minority Leader from 2021 to 2024.
His professional experience includes being the Executive Vice President of the Central Oregon Builders Association and the Executive Director of Building Partners for Affordable Housing. He has also served on the board of First Story, a nonprofit focused on providing affordable housing.
Most Recent Event:
On April 13, 2026, our Forum Speaker Series hosted all eight candidates running for Salem City Council seats (in Wards 2, 4, 6, and 8) in the May 2026 Primary Election.
Each candidate provided opening and closing statements illustrating their campaign platforms, answered questions about how they would lead Salem forward on key issues, and had the opportunity to pose one question to their opponent.
Candidates:
Ward 2: Council President Linda Nishioka (Incumbent) and Manny Martinez
Ward 4: Councilor Deanna Gwyn (Incumbent) and Dave Inbody
Ward 6: Councilor Mai Vang (Incumbent) and Betsy Vega
Ward 8: Councilor Micki Varney (Incumbent) and Chris Cummings
In addition, the Forum included the presentation of our monthly Spirit of Salem Award, which went to Chris Blackburn (Clutch Industries), Nat Borchers (Back Line Real Estate), and AJ Nash (Tradition Real Estate Partners) for their vision, work, and investment in downtown Salem’s The Forge property.
Thank you to the Salem Convention Center for providing the venue and meal, and to Allied Video Productions and Capital Community Media for their help with producing this event.
We thank the candidates for sharing with our audience, Hunter Communications for serving as our monthly luncheon sponsor, and Hagan Hamilton Insurance Solutions for serving as the Presenting Sponsor for the entire 2025-2026 Forum Speaker Series season.
About the Series
Hear from business and community leaders who inform inspire, and network with key decision-makers within our community at the Forum Speaker Series luncheons. Featured speakers cover a wide variety of topics designed to build awareness, foster understanding, and spark conversation in the community. The nine-month series runs from September through June.
The Forum Speaker Series’ purpose is to deliver content, at times through controversial speakers, intended to spark conversation in Salem. The inclusion of these speakers does not imply Chamber endorsement or recommendation of any person, political party, idea, or previous action by these individuals.
The views and opinions expressed in any Forum event do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. The Salem Chamber serves as a host for relevant conversations in town and in the state, and you can be part of these conversations by attending the Forum Speaker Series.
For sponsorship information or questions please contact events@salemchamber.org.