October 29, 2026 3:30 a.m. 

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce will welcome nationally recognized economist Dr. Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, to Seven Feathers Casino Resort on Tuesday, November 17th, for its Economic Forecast.

A chamber release said the event will bring together business owners, employers, elected officials, and community leaders from throughout Douglas County for a candid, data-driven examination of the economic forces shaping the region’s future.

Thornberg, a former senior economist with UCLA’s Anderson Forecast, is widely recognized for predicting the collapse of the subprime mortgage market ahead of the Great Recession. Known for challenging conventional economic narratives, he encourages audiences to look beyond headlines and examine what the data reveals.

Chamber President & CEO Kira Zavala said, “Douglas County has tremendous potential, but potential alone doesn’t create economic growth”. Zavala said, “We cannot expect different outcomes if we continue having the same conversations, with the same people, about the same ideas. We must be willing to welcome outside perspectives, challenge our assumptions, and listen to ideas that make us uncomfortable. Douglas County cannot build its future by simply repeating its past.”

The Economic Forecast will explore national and regional economic trends, including workforce, housing, the timber industry, infrastructure, population changes, and conditions influencing business investment and growth. The event is open to chamber members and nonmembers throughout Douglas County. The chamber encourages participation from every community, recognizing that economic challenges and opportunities extend beyond city limits and require regional collaboration.

Tickets are $50 per person, or a table sponsorship for $400. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Register or get more information at www.roseburgchamber.com.