State Senators
Local Leaders
GoBigDefiningtheFuture

Lincoln

November 12, 2026

November 12th

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

Forum:
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Cocktail Reception, Dinner and Husker Volleyball Watch Party:
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

About the Event

Go Big: Defining the Future Forum is the capstone event of a nine-stop statewide innovation campaign, celebrating the data insights, momentum and leadership that has emerged across Nebraska in 2026. This experience will convene some of the most influential voices from across business, industry, government and local communities to reflect on our statewide journey — and zero in on what comes next.

The Go Big series has demonstrated how Nebraskans can champion a future of tech and talent innovation, energy independence and economic opportunity. It’s time to get started.

This afternoon-to-evening experience will include a forum with a keynote address followed by a cocktail reception, dinner and Husker Volleyball Watch Party.

Speakers

Matt Williams

Chairman
Flatwater Bank

Immediate Past President
NE Chamber

Marc LeBaron

Chairman and CEO
Lincoln Industries

Chairman
NE Chamber Foundation

Hunter Traynor

Executive Vice President - Legislation & Policy
NE Chamber

Joseph Young

President & CEO
NE Chamber

Troy Dannen

Director of Athletics
University of Nebraska

Mike Johanns

Former Governor of Nebraska

Dave Heineman

Former Governor of Nebraska

Pete Ricketts

U.S. Senator

Former Governor of Nebraska

Josie Gatti Schafer, Ph.D.

Director
Center for Public Affairs Research

Laurel Oetken

Chief Executive Officer
Open Range

Dawson Brunswick

President,
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

Weston Svoboda

Attorney & Rancher
Rembolt Ludtke

Jim Clifton

Chairman
Gallup

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