Featured Events

The Canright Calendar is a weekly newsletter compilation of online and in-person networking and educational events around the Chicago area. Each week, we send an email with featured events. Subscribe to the Canright Calendar list here. View all events here.

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January 25, 2021

At our featured events, unlock success and satisfaction, dive into sustainable energy, understand the economic impact of the COVID-19 vaccine, and discover your personal pandemic recovery toolkit.

3 Keys to Unlock Success and Satisfaction in Every Area of Your Life
Thursday, January 28, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
The world is inviting us to show up as our best self—not just in one area of life but in all areas, every day. As we face challenges or opportunities, we have the chance to rewrite the scripts that stop us from becoming who we know we can be and begin to help others do the same. In this interactive online webinar, Wright Foundation COO and Chief Vision Realization Officer, Barbara Burgess will invite you to explore the first three steps of the Evolating process: Yearning, Engaging, and Revelating. She will teach you how each phase creates a path for the next phase to rise, and how together, they build on each other in a way that increases authenticity, happiness, and effectiveness in every area of life.
REGISTER

Polsky Entrepreneurial Outlook: Sustainable Energy 2021
Friday, January 29, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
At Sustainable Energy 2021, a panel of expert venture capitalists and entrepreneurs in the field of energy businesses will discuss the state of the industry in 2021, what changes have occurred in the industry due to COVID-19, and where they see opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation within the field this coming year. Speakers include: John Carlisle, Chain Reaction Innovations Director, Argonne National Laboratory; Seth Darling, Director, Center for Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory and Senior Scientist, Chemical Sciences & Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory; Seyi Fabode, CEO and Co-Founder, Varuna Tech; Amy Francetic, Managing Director, Buoyant Ventures, and Grant Zimmerman, CEO, Amp Americas.
REGISTER

The Fed’s 2021 Outlook as Vaccine Rollout Shifts into High Gear
Monday, February 1, 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm CST – WEBINAR
After 2020’s initial US coronavirus outbreak and the US economic shutdown, the Federal Reserve stepped in to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to limit the damage. Now, with the rollout of promising COVID-19 vaccines, there seems to be hope of a better future ahead. Will 2021 see the US economy—and other global economies—roar back to life, or has COVID-19 wrought lasting structural damage? Robert Kaplan, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and Kathleen Hays, Global Economics and Policy Editor, Bloomberg Media, weigh in on the possibility of a global economic recovery.
REGISTER

An Out-of-the-Box, Personal Pandemic Recovery Toolkit
Friday, January 29, 10:00 am – 11:30 am CST – WEBINAR
What will the new workplace look like? What changes will be permanent? What should you prepare for? It’s time to re-energize and plan for this next phase! Dr. Sue Cain leads this fast-paced workshop to lay out what changes are on the horizon and examine attendees’ individual results from a new-to-market DISC assessment. Your DISC results will be used to identify emerging opportunities to give you a strategic jump-start into managing the next phase.
REGISTER

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January 11, 2021
At our featured events, hear annual economic outlooks, learn why traditional antitrust law falls short, reframe your 2021 goals, and discover your personal pandemic recovery toolkit.

This Week:
The U.S. Election, COVID-19, and the Future of the Global Economy – Booth School of Business
Wednesday, January 13, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
A panel of Booth School of Business experts will discuss issues facing the global economy today, including the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic stimulus, fiscal and monetary policies, interest rates, and inflation. Speakers include Booth professors Austan D. Goolsbee, Randall S. Kroszner, and Raghuram G. Rajan, as well as globally renowned economists.
REGISTER

2021 Economic Outlook – Global Midwest Alliance
Thursday, January 14, 10:00 am – 11:30 am CST – WEBINAR
Global Midwest Alliance, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and sponsors, Polsinelli and Wipfli, present a program focused on the forces that are currently shaping the U.S. economy as it enters 2021. Keynote speaker David Oppedahl, Senior Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, will discuss the major sectors of the economy and provide the Federal Reserve’s forecast along with his perspective on economic activity.
REGISTER

2021 Annual Economic Outlook – Executives’ Club of Chicago
Thursday, January 14, 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm CST – WEBINAR
Hear from a panel of financial experts on their forecasts for the economy, taxes, the markets, interest rates, and regulatory changes that are likely to impact your investments and business decisions. Terry Savage will moderate this conversation with panelists Dr. Bob Froehlich, Owner, Kane County Cougars Baseball Club & Former Vice Chair, Deutsche Asset Management; Jeffrey Gundlach, CEO & CIO, DoubleLine; James McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Hercules Investments, and Diane Swonk, Chief Economist, Grant Thornton LLP.
REGISTER

Paul Romer on Why Traditional Antitrust Falls Short
Thursday, January 14, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
Join the Stigler Center at the University of Chicago for a conversation with Nobel Laureate and NYU professor Paul Romer (SB’77, PhD’83), moderated by Chicago Booth’s Luigi Zingales, on why traditional antitrust law may be inadequate for managing threats to competition and to the political system.
REGISTER

Looking ahead:
Re-framing Your Goals for 2021
Wednesday, January 27, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
LEARN MORE & REGISTER

3 Keys to Unlock Success and Satisfaction in Every Area of Your Life
Thursday, January 28, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
LEARN MORE & REGISTER

An Out-of-the-Box, Personal Pandemic Recovery Toolkit
Friday, January 29, 10:00 am – 11:30 am CST – WEBINAR
LEARN MORE & REGISTER

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January 5, 2021
As we launch into the new year, we wish you a happy and healthy 2021. At our featured events, hear annual economic outlooks, and learn why traditional antitrust law falls short.

2021 Annual Economic Outlook – Executives’ Club of Chicago
Thursday, January 14, 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm CST – WEBINAR
Hear from a panel of financial experts on their forecasts for the economy, taxes, the markets, interest rates, and regulatory changes that are likely to impact your investments and business decisions. Nationally Syndicated Columnist Terry Savage will moderate this conversation with panelists that include Dr. Bob Froehlich, Owner, Kane County Cougars Baseball Club & Former Vice Chair, Deutsche Asset Management; Jeffrey Gundlach, CEO & CIO, DoubleLine; James McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Hercules Investments, and Diane Swonk, Chief Economist, Grant Thornton LLP. REGISTER

The U.S. Election, COVID-19, and the Future of the Global Economy
Wednesday, January 13, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
At Economic Outlook 2021 in Chicago, a panel of Booth School of Business experts will discuss some of the most talked-about issues facing the global economy today, including the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic stimulus, fiscal and monetary policies, interest rates, and inflation. Speakers include Booth professors Austan D. Goolsbee, Randall S. Kroszner, and Raghuram G. Rajan, as well as globally renowned economists. REGISTER

2021 Economic Outlook – Global Midwest Alliance
Thursday, January 14, 10:00 am – 11:30 am CST – WEBINAR
Global Midwest Alliance, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and sponsors, Polsinelli and Wipfli, present a program focused on the forces that are currently shaping the U.S. economy as it enters 2021. Keynote speaker David Oppedahl, Senior Business Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago since 1998, will discuss the major sectors of the economy and provide the Federal Reserve’s forecast along with his perspective on economic activity. REGISTER

Paul Romer on Why Traditional Antitrust Falls Short
Thursday, January 14, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
Join the Stigler Center at the University of Chicago for a conversation with Nobel Laureate and NYU professor Paul Romer (SB’77, PhD’83), moderated by Chicago Booth’s Luigi Zingales, on why traditional antitrust law may be inadequate for managing threats to competition and to the political system.
REGISTER

Canright Calendar

The Canright Calendar is a weekly email of networking events in Chicago. View all of our events here. Sign up for the list here. If you have any other suggestions you’d like us to consider, send them to Alexandra at alexandra@canrightcommunications.com.

WEEK OF 09-12-2025

This season brings opportunities to explore leadership, innovation, and the future of business across Chicago. From a fireside conversation with Valerie Jarrett on legacy and impact, to a hands-on Meta AI workshop for small businesses, to the Federal Reserve Bank’s 25th Annual Payments Forum, these programs bring together voices shaping progress across industries. Don’t miss your chance to gain insights and strategies that inspire action and drive growth. Groundbreakers: Valerie Jarrett on Making Change, Legacy, and Leading from Chicago Executives’ Club of Chicago Sept. 18, 2025 University Club of Chicago 76 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL Join the Executives’ Club of Chicago for an intimate, members-only fireside conversation between two visionary leaders as they reflect on what it means to lead from a place of purpose, community, and bold ambition. With the Obama Presidential Center set to open in 2026 on Chicago’s South Side, this moment offers more than celebration — it’s a call to action. Together, we’ll explore how the Center will serve as a new civic anchor, a platform for global leadership development, and a catalyst for community-rooted economic opportunity — all through the lens of values-driven leadership. Expect to walk away with: – A deeper understanding of the Obama Foundation’s vision — and what it means for Chicago – Insight into how institutions can drive inclusive growth and next-gen leadership- – Inspiration for how legacy and impact can be shaped at both the neighborhood and global level – This is more than a conversation about a building — it’s about what we choose to build together. Register Harnessing AI for Business Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Sept. 29, 2025 Wrigley Building 410 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 900, Chicago, IL Join the Chicagoland Chamber and Meta on Monday, September 29 for a free, in person hand on workshop designed for small business owners and teams with beginner to intermediate AI experience. Discover how to harness Meta AI to scale your business efficiency across marketing, operations, sales, and more. In this interactive workshop, you’ll: – Learn expert tips to craft better AI prompts and get faster, higher-quality results – Experience live demos using Meta AI to create on-brand content – Build a personalized 1-page brand voice guide tailored to your business – Explore practical AI workflows and scaling strategies to streamline your daily tasks – Collaborate and learn from peers to uncover new AI use cases for growth and scaling – Live Q&A with digital marketing experts Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your business with AI-powered efficiency and creativity! Doors open for networking and light refreshments at 11:30 AM with programming beginning promptly at 12:00 PM. Register 25th Annual Chicago Payments Forum Oct. 8 – 9, 2025 Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago 230 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s annual payments forum includes panels on Global Payments, Embedded Payment Innovation, Instant Payments, and Blockchain and Retail Payments. Keynote speeches will also showcase Federal Reserve leaders and industry experts with insights on innovation and our digital future, plus the geopolitical, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence risk landscape. Register Childhood Cancer Awareness Month September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — a time to honor the strength of children and families impacted by cancer, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and spotlight the urgent need for research and support. Every year, nearly 15,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer, and while survival rates have improved, it remains the leading cause of death by disease among children. This month, we are reminded of the importance of advocacy, research, and community support in bringing hope and better outcomes to young patients and their families. Arts Corner Canright account manager Alexandra Sulack is an opera singer and voice teacher. She curates arts recommendations for you. Mr. Wolf Sept. 11 – Nov. 2, 2025 Steppenwolf Theatre Company 12 years ago, Theresa was stolen from her parents. Now a precocious 15-year-old, she has been rescued and returned to a family that had nearly forsaken hope—a family she neither recognizes nor understands. In ensemble member Rajiv Joseph’s unflinching play, a miraculous reunion sets the stage for provocative conversations: what makes a house a home? What nightmares are we willing to face for the sake of our children? And ultimately, what part do we play in the grand saga of human existence? Tickets & More Info If you have any other suggestions you’d like us to consider, send them to Alexandra at alexandra@canrightcommunications.com.