Lighting a path forward: the 2025 MPC Annual Event
On September 30, 2025, MPC welcomed nearly 400 attendees to the Hilton Grand Ballroom in Chicago for its annual convening. This year, with the theme “Lighting a Path Forward”, the event focused on the challenges and opportunities facing our region today, highlighting practical and forward-looking solutions. It brought together civic leaders, policymakers, business representatives, sponsors, and community partners to discuss how the Chicago region can grow more equitably and sustainably. The program emphasized the importance of not only driving growth but ensuring that it benefits everyone and reflects inclusive leadership across the region.
The event featured a compelling line-up of speakers, including the 2025 MPC Champions of Change Awardee Christy George (Illinois Economic Development Corporation), who was honored as recognition of Christy’s years of tireless work to bring an evidence-focused lens to economic growth that is about growing the pie for workers, companies, and communities. In her remarks, Christy focused on the linkages between corporate relocations, the creation of good jobs, and the need for genuine partnerships with local leaders to ensure sustainable growth and ample opportunities across the state. Christy highlighted real case studies, like the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on the old Steel Works site, and focused on where we collectively need to go from here to create even more inclusive economic growth in Illinois.
After Christy received her award, the program went into a fireside chat that featured Special Guest Facilitator and Emmy Award-winning host Chris Hayes (MSNBC) in conversation with keynote speaker Ai-jen Poo (The National Domestic Workers Alliance and Caring Across Generations). Chris guided the discussion with his signature depth and curiosity, framing the moment as one of both uncertainty and opportunity. In her responses and remarks, Ai-jen brought her deep expertise in the care economy to the stage, challenging attendees to think about the structural shifts needed to build a more humane and equitable future. Ai-jen underscored the critical nature of both effort and enthusiasm in shaping our shared present and future. Ai-jen framed her remarks by highlighting potential future “worlds” that could emerge depending on the choices leaders make today, each requiring different kinds of action and collaboration.
Their conversation underscored that the future is not predetermined, but built through collective imagination and commitment. The remarks were a hopeful reminder for everyone in the room that real progress depends on who shows up and works together to make it happen.
The afternoon’s dialogue wrapped up with remarks from MPC Board Chair Manny Flores and MPC President & CEO Dan Lurie. Throughout the program, the event built on and expanded on a key message: growth cannot be abstract. It must be inclusive, well-designed, and equity-focused. Attendees heard how investments in housing, transit, workforce, and community can reshape our region, when we consciously confront racial and gender inequities and build infrastructure that supports families and businesses alike. The energy in the room was palpable: conversations sparked around cross-sector partnerships, new funding models, and tangible next steps. As MPC closes out this year’s event, the challenge now shifts from presentation to implementation: lighting the path forward means walking it together, in partnership, with measurable milestones and shared accountability.
MPC thanks the supporters of this event especially, the speakers, staff, event sponsors, event consultants (the LARC Group), venue staff, and attendees.