Central ND News

The Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC) has announced that economist and author Norbert J. Michel will be the keynote speaker at its upcoming Policy Summit in Bismarck on September 23, 2025. Michel, known for his recent book "Crushing Capitalism: How Populist Policies Are Threatening the American Dream," will address attendees at Bismarck State College.

Michel's keynote will focus on challenging current political narratives about the state of the American Dream. He contends that claims blaming free trade, immigration, and technology for economic decline are misleading. According to Michel, prosperity has increased across different income groups, and he warns that populist policies could harm the freedoms that support economic growth.

“Have you heard this narrative? The middle class has been hollowed out because of an overreliance on free markets. Americans can’t compete with low-cost labor and imports, so all the good jobs in America have disappeared. It’s a dismal argument that many politicians, even some on the right, have spent the past few years spinning,” stated Michel. “The problem with this bleak story is that it is completely wrong,”

After his speech, Michel will participate in a book signing during the ND Chamber PAC Social, allowing attendees to meet him and discuss his work.

“Norbert brings facts, clarity, and historical perspective to today’s most heated policy debates,” said Arik Spencer, GNDC President & CEO. “We are excited to feature him at Policy Summit and offer our attendees a chance to hear insights on the future of the American economy.”

The GNDC Policy Summit is described as North Dakota’s main event for business policy discussions. It gathers leaders from various sectors to talk about important issues facing the state.

Registration for the summit is open to both members and non-members. More details and registration information are available at https://ndchamber.com/policysummit.