Association for University
Business and Economic Research

A national association of regional
economic research centers

2025 Conference

2025 Featured Speakers

Expected Speakers

  • David E. Altig, PhD is the executive vice president and chief economic adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, where he serves on the executive leadership team for the Bank’s economic mobility and resilience strategic priority and is an adviser to the executive leadership committee. He also is a fellow and past president of the National Association for Business Economics.
  • Edward L. Glaeser, PhD is the Fred and Eleanor Glimp professor of economics at Harvard University, where he has taught economic theory and urban economics since 1992. He also leads the Urban Economics Working Group at the National Bureau of Economics Research, co-leads the Cities Programme of the International Growth Centre, and co-edits the Journal of Urban Economics.
  • Michael V. Russo, PhD is a professor emerit of sustainable management in the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon. His expertise and specialties include developing strategies for environmental management, creating business plans for mission-driven companies, and managing public policy issues.
  • Abigail Wozniak, PhD is a labor economist and vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, where she serves as director of the Opportunity & Inclusive Growth Institute. Her research has examined migration between states and cities, employer compensation and screening policies, and sources of inequality in the labor market.

Stay tuned as we continue planning the Oct. 2025 program!

IMPORTANT DATES

April – Ongoing submissions: Apply to present your work in a concurrent session
May – Tentative program posted, early-bird registration opens, hotel room rate available
June 1 – Submissions open for best paper, publications, and individual award nominations
Aug. 1 – Deadline for best paper, publications, and individual awards
Aug. 1 – Early-bird registration ends
Sept. 1 – Deadline for hotel room rate and conference final registration
Oct. 4-7 – 78th annual AUBER Fall Conference in Missoula, MT

“The New Geography of U.S. Growth”

Submissions ongoing.

The tentative program will be posted soon.

The 2025 conference theme explores the dynamic shifts shaping economic development, population trends, and business opportunities across the country.

We invite you to present your work—white papers, policy briefs, scholarly work, applied research projects, survey findings, data dashboards, industry analysis, forecasting, regional economics, quality of life, and much more. Researchers, specialists, practitioners, and students are invited to submit your proposal to present at our next conference, Oct. 4-7.

Explore Missoula

First explored by the Salish Tribe and later by Lewis and Clark, the Missoula Valley has long been appreciated for its rugged beauty amid the Rocky Mountains. The city grew from a modest trading post at the confluence of three rivers to a bustling hub for commerce and culture in the heart of Western Montana.

Call for Presentations

The Association for University Business and Economic Research (AUBER) invites you to present your work at our 78th annual fall conference, October 4-7, 2025, in Missoula, Montana.

This year’s theme, The New Geography of U.S. Growth, will explore the dynamic shifts shaping economic development, population trends, and business opportunities across the country.

Hosted by the University of Montana, the conference will feature engaging keynote speakers, cutting-edge research presentations, and collaborative discussions on the forces driving regional economies in an era of rapid change. Against the stunning backdrop of Montana’s mountains and rivers, you’ll connect with fellow researchers and practitioners while gaining fresh insights into the evolving economic landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to share ideas and shape the conversation on the future of U.S. growth!

How to Submit

Submissions are ongoing.

Want to join the 2025 conference program and present your work? Our concurrent sessions include a variety of work, ranging from scholarly papers, surveys, and traditional academic output, to applied/practical work of all kinds—forecasts, impact analysis, policy briefs, data dashboards, project deployment and best practices, and more.

Submit your work using our online form: https://forms.gle/Rfi7dBZt2S16z99X9

Include a brief description of your paper, project, or other work you would like to present. Multiple ideas may be submitted.

Who Should Participate?

  • Practitioners and students in the fields of regional economics, business forecasting, industry impact, financial markets, statistical modeling, output analysis, survey research, GIS mapping, data delivery, data visualization, and more.
  • Developers of statistical modeling software, data analysis and visualization tools, primary data libraries, and relevant applied research technologies.
  • Applied researchers employed by academia, government agencies, nonprofits, and private industry.
  • Established and aspiring economists, from graduate students and junior professionals to senior experts.

Why Present at AUBER?

The AUBER conference is a great environment for students and junior researchers to present their work (finished or ongoing) and receive mentorship from experts.

Likewise, established researchers and practitioners can “talk shop” with peers from across the nation and beyond.

Popular Topics

  • Applied research projects
  • Community resiliency
  • Data visualization and dashboards
  • Data delivery tools and techniques
  • Demographic analysis
  • Financial markets
  • GIS mapping and output analysis
  • Industry analysis and forecasting
  • Public policy analysis
  • State and local economies
  • Statistical modeling and analysis
  • Survey research
  • Working with public and private sectors
  • Center operations and challenges
  • Center publicity and communications

Resources for Presenters

Things to Know

Timelines

Submissions to present during a concurrent session are still open as space allows. Presenters should be notified of their acceptance to the conference program soon.

All presenters must register for the conference by Sept. 1 (early-bird rates end Aug. 1). Reserve your hotel room by Sept. 1 using our group booking link (NOT a third-party).

Presentation files should be emailed by Oct. 1 to your session moderator.

Guidelines

Each presenter is given approximately 30 minutes during their session. We recommend you prepare 15-20 minutes of material and allow 5-10 minutes for audience questions.

Most presentations make use of slide deck software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Apple Keynote. Please upload your finished slide deck to the AUBER Google Drive by Oct. 1. Contact your session moderator for the upload link. This deadline allows us to save time and stress at the conference by troubleshooting technical issues in advance.

Technology

Wifi should be available in the conference rooms, but internet speed/bandwidth may be limited.

Each conference room will use a screen projector and have a laptop at the presenter podium. Your presentation files will be saved onto the desktop to save time between presentations. At this time, we do not know what kind of accessory ports will be available.

Please contact your session chair if you have specific technical needs.

Resources for All Attendees

General Information

What to expect at the AUBER Fall Conference

Format of Each Day's Events

Saturday events begin on the Upper Lobby Level of the hotel with a welcome reception for all conference attendees and their paid guests (drinks and hors d’oeuvres, business casual attire) in the early evening, followed by dinner on your own. At 9 PM, return to the hotel for a nightcap with fellow attendees in our hospitality suite. A pre-conference workshop may be offered Saturday afternoon (separate fee). Details forthcoming.

Sunday offers a full day of stimulating conference content. Keynote speakers will present during breakfast and lunch and concurrent sessions will run through the day until 5 PM. Dinner is on your own, and the hospitality suite will offer cocktails and conversation 9 PM until midnight.

Monday offers concurrent sessions in the morning, bookended by keynote presentations at breakfast and lunch. The afternoon is reserved for a group excursion that gives a taste of Missoula’s culture, commerce, and natural beauty. A dinner celebration will provide entertainment and local flavors for all attendees and their paid guests. The hospitality suite will be open after dinner until midnight.

Tuesday is the final day of the conference, offering a keynote presentation at breakfast and concurrent sessions in the morning. The conference concludes midday, but a workshop (separate fee) may be offered in the afternoon. An additional field trip (separate fee) may also be organized. Details forthcoming.

Guest Pass for Social Events

Add your spouse, partner, or significant other to your conference registration to attend the following social events—Welcome Reception (Sat.), Hospitality Suite (Sat., Sun., Mon.), Local Excursion (Mon. afternoon), and Dinner Celebration (Mon. evening).

Note: For security, your guest should be accompanied by you at all times while attending these social events as described above. The guest pass does NOT include entry to the daytime conference rooms or the meal and break areas.

Weather

Missoula in October

Avg. Daytime High: 57ºF • Avg. Nighttime Low: 23ºF

Fall mornings in Missoula are crisp, with thin layers of frost forming on lawns and car windows. Snow will begin to accumulate high in the surrounding mountains, creating a view of lovely crested peaks. Vibrant autumn colors will seem to appear overnight, telling the birds to pack up and wait out the cold months down south. Our beloved University brings in new faces, friendships and experiences that keep the ever changing and youthful heart of the town beating. All of these signs point to the arrival of fall in Missoula.

What to Pack

Daytime attire at the AUBER conference is business casual. Event spaces at hotels and convention centers are often a little chilly, so we recommend that you bring a blazer or light jacket or cardigan in case you get cold.

We also recommend that you bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes. The hotel is located on the edge of downtown, so many groups may walk to dinner.

Hotel/Airport Shuttle

The Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown provides a free hotel shuttle to/from the airport (MSO – Missoula International Airport), the hotel, and to any location within Missoula City Limits. Learn More »

Conference Hotel

Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown

Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown
200 South Pattee Street
Missoula, MT 59802

Room Details

Book online using our group booking link*, or call the front desk at +1.406.721.8550. Be sure to mention our group code when making your reservation to ensure your reservation is included in our block.

  • Contracted group rate: $219/night + tax
  • Group name: 78th Annual AUBER Fall Conference
  • Group booking code: AUB

Reservation Deadline: September 3, 2025, or until capacity is met.

* Please note the reservation link is not compatible with mobile devices.

Transportation

The Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown provides a free hotel shuttle to/from the airport (MSO – Missoula International Airport), the hotel, and to any location within Missoula City Limits. Learn More »

Missoula offers zero-fare bus service, ample parking, and miles of trails for biking and walking throughout the city. View Options for City Bus, Driving, Biking, & More »

Why Stay at the Conference Hotel?

Conference room rates are negotiated with an expected minimum number of stays per night during the conference. Your reservation helps us to meet our contractual commitments to the hotel and better plan for the entire event. Please note that if you make reservations through a third-party reservation site instead of within our group block, these rooms will not count toward our contract minimums.

Explore Missoula, Montana

Nestled in the Northern Rockies of Montana, surrounded by seven wilderness areas and at the confluence of three rivers, Missoula is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. You can kayakraft or tube through downtown or take a relaxing hike in 60,000 acres of wilderness minutes from your hotel. Missoula is known for its blue-ribbon trout fishing (made famous by A River Runs Through It) and spectacular natural beauty. The outdoor recreational opportunities are limitless.

Missoula is also a regional destination for shopping and dining, featuring three distinct shopping districts and an abundance of restaurants, cafes, coffee houses and breweries with something to fit all budgets and palates.

Known for its eclectic culture, visitors will find this arts and culture hub filled with a seeming endless array of arts and entertainment events. Think symphonytheatre, film festivals, author’s readings at independent bookstores, college sports, ballet, opera and roller derby. And we proudly live our history – Native American and Lewis & Clark to Smokejumpers and Glacial Lake Missoula.

Missoula Montana

What to Eat & Drink Downtown

This guide, compiled by the Downtown Missoula Partnership, includes a list of fine dining, casual restaurants, breweries, cafés, and more—all located in downtown Missoula.

Nearby Attractions

Music & Theatre

Legacy Lounge
529 S. Higgins • 406.439.3930 • legacyloungmt.com
Legacy Lounge is a small music venue and gallery on the Hip Strip. Come by and see some art that you might not see in a traditional gallery show and listen to music by some of Missoula’s best underground DJs.

MCT, Inc. – Center for the Performing Arts
200 N. Adams • 406.728.1911 • mctinc.org
World-famous Missoula Children’s Theatre and the Missoula Community Theatre focused on building creativity, social skills, and self-esteem through touring and home theater productions.

Missoula Symphony Association
320 E. Main St. • 406.721.3194 • missoulasymphony.org
Missoula’s Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, featuring high-quality musicians, 10 live performances annually, and music education and outreach throughout the year.

The Roxy Theater
718 S. Higgins St. • 406.728.9380 • theroxytheater.org
Missoula’s little theater on the Hip Strip features new and old releases of independent, foreign and classic films, theater, and community events.

Westside Theater & Bare Bait Dance
1200 Shakespeare, Ste. 2 • 406.493.0123 • thewestsidetheater.com
Artist-run nonprofit theater and studio space committed to developing and presenting live performance with a focus on movement and aerial arts.

Museums & Centers

Boone and Crockett Club & Visitors Gallery
250 Station • 406.542.1888 • boone-crockett.org
With a focus on conservation, ethics, and big game hunting, folks can see extraordinary animals at the visitor center inside the Historic Milwaukee Station.

Historical Museum at Fort Missoula
Building 322 at Fort Missoula • 406.728.3476 • fortmissoulamuseum.org
Missoula’s history lives here in 13 historic structures and multiple exhibits that tell of the story of trade, imprisonment, forestry, and fire.

Missoula Art Museum
335 N. Pattee St. • 406.728.0447 • missoulaartmuseum.org
Missoula’s flagship and admission-free art institution, featuring a brand new outdoor Art Park and eight galleries showcasing diverse and engaging contemporary local and international artists.

Montana Museum of Art & Culture
Performing Arts TV Center, University of Montana • 406.243.2019 • umt.edu/montanamuseum
Home to one of the oldest and most prominent collections in the Rocky Mountain West, the state museum of fine art connects Montana to the world.

Montana Natural History Center
120 Hickory St. • 406.327.0405 • MontanaNaturalist.org
Showcasing Montana’s natural environments, and educating teachers and children about the natural history of the Northern Rockies.

National Museum of Forest Service History
6305 Highway 10 West • 406.541.6374 • forestservicemuseum.org
Missoula’s newest museum dedicated to the history, education and collection of the USDA Forest Service. Located one mile west of the Missoula Airport.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
5705 Grant Creek • 406.523.3495 • elkfoundation.org
Focused on the preservation of elk and wildlife habitat, and hunting heritage, RMEF has an extraordinary visitors center filled with animal education exhibits.

Public Art & Historical Site Walking Tours – On Your Own

Options:

  • Downtown Public Art (26 stops)
  • Downtown Historical Sites (15 stops)
  • Historic Districts throughout City (7 districts)

Self-Guided Walking Tours (link to PDF)

Transportation in Missoula

Missoula offers zero-fare bus service, ample parking, and miles of trails for biking and walking throughout the city. View Options for City Bus, Driving, Biking, & More »

Hotel/Airport Shuttle

The Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown provides a free hotel shuttle to/from the airport (MSO – Missoula International Airport), the hotel, and to any location within Missoula City Limits. Learn More »

Best Paper, Publications, & Individual Awards

AUBER award entries are open now until August 1!

These awards are open to all AUBER members in good standing. Recipients will be announced during the 2025 Fall Conference in Missoula, Oct. 4-7.

Submit your center’s publication or website for an Award of Excellence, or submit your scholarly paper for the Paul Polzin Prize for Best Paper.

Nominate an outstanding individual for the Fellow of AUBER Award or the prestigious R. Thayne Robson Award. You can also recommend an individual (active or retired) for Honorary Membership.

2024 Award Recipients

2024 Award of Excellence in Electronic Publications

  • Florida Gulf Coast University, Regional Economic Research Institute: “Industry Diversification Report (Second Quarter 2024)”

2024 Award of Excellence in Websites

  • University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research: “Population Estimates – Tennessee State Data Center”

2024 Paul Polzin Prize for Best Paper

  • Jenny H. Liu, Portland State University, Northwest Economic Research Center: “Portland State University Economic and Social Impact Study 2024”

2023 Fellow of AUBER Award*

  • John Deskins, West Virginia University
    * 2023 recipient, accepted in 2024

Contact

For Inquiries Regarding…

General Information Lisa Goodpaster – auber@bsu.edu

Sponsorship Opportunities Lisa Goodpaster – auber@bsu.edu

Program Content Vanessa Fry – vanessa.fry@boisestate.edu

Best Paper, Publications, & Individual Awards Brian Lewandowski – brian.lewandowski@colorado.edu

Website Updates Victoria Meldrum – VRMELDRUM@bsu.edu

Missoula 2025 Conference Planning Committee

  • Pat Barkey – Conference Host Team (University of Montana)
  • Vanessa Fry – AUBER President-Elect & Conference Planning Chair (Boise State University)
  • Shannon Furniss – Conference Host Team (University of Montana)
  • Lisa Goodpaster – AUBER Business Team (Ball State University)
  • Jennifer Green – Current AUBER President (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
  • Michael Hicks – AUBER Secretary-Treasurer (Ball State University)
  • Brian Lewandowski – AUBER Past President (University of Colorado Boulder)
  • Victoria Meldrum – AUBER Business Team (Ball State University)
  • Jeff Michael – Conference Host Team (University of Montana)
  • Rod Motamedi – Conference Host 2026 (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
  • Marc Schaffer – AUBER Vice President (St. Norbert College)

IMPORTANT DATES

April – Ongoing submissions: Apply to present your work in a concurrent session
May – Tentative program posted, early-bird registration opens, hotel room rate available
June 1 – Submissions open for best paper, publications, and individual award nominations
Aug. 1 – Deadline for best paper, publications, and individual awards
Aug. 1 – Early-bird registration ends
Sept. 1 – Deadline for hotel room rate and conference final registration
Oct. 4-7 – 78th annual AUBER Fall Conference in Missoula, MT

Conference Host

University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research

Sponsor the Conference

We offer many levels of sponsorship from exhibitor to premier opportunities.