Governor Stein, Sen. Berger & Speaker Hall Deliver Rare Joint Insights at NCFREE Leadership Luncheon

Hundreds of business leaders gathered in Raleigh as NC’s top officials discussed economic competitiveness, workforce needs, and the 2026 landscape.

NCFREE Leadership Luncheon Brings State & Business Leaders Together to Discuss NC’s Future

Governor Josh Stein, Senate President Pro-Tempore Phil Berger, & House Speaker Destin Hall headline bipartisan discussion

RALEIGH, NC – The North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation (NCFREE) hosted its 2025 Leadership Luncheon on Thursday at the Angus Barn Pavilion, bringing together hundreds of top business and industry leaders from around the state for exclusive, candid conversations on the state’s economic competitiveness, workforce needs, and legislative and political outlook for 2026 and beyond.

Governor Stein Opens with Keynote Address

Governor Josh Stein delivered the luncheon’s opening keynote, outlining his administration’s priorities for strengthening economic competitiveness, advancing workforce development, and taking real steps to maintain the state’s economic momentum.

“Delivering on the promise of North Carolina – that where you come from should never limit how far you can go – is job one,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I look forward to working with legislative and business leaders in the months and years ahead so that together we build a state that is safer, stronger, and more prosperous with real opportunity for every person.”

Keynote Legislative Panel: Berger & Hall

Following the governor’s remarks, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall joined Spectrum News anchor Tim Boyum for a keynote legislative panel examining pressing issues before the General Assembly in 2026, including growth pressures, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and continued efforts to create a competitive tax and regulatory environment.

Senate Leader Berger discussed the importance of maintaining North Carolina’s pro-growth economic policies.

“Our state’s strong fiscal position, competitive tax code, and smart regulatory reforms have made North Carolina the best state in the country to live, work, and build a business,” Senator Berger said. “Our goal is to keep that momentum going by maintaining our focus on workforce readiness and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”

Speaker Destin Hall echoed similar themes, emphasizing the General Assembly’s commitment to building and growing the workforce pipeline between education and employment.

“We’re working to ensure students graduate with college and career-ready skills, so businesses can continue to find the employees they need,” Hall said. “Our collaboration between employers and policymakers keeps North Carolina competitive.”

Bipartisan Political Dialogue: Jackson & Shumaker

The program concluded with a bipartisan political discussion featuring veteran strategists Paul Shumaker (Republican) and Morgan Jackson (Democrat), moderated by Boyum. The pair offered forward-looking analysis of the 2026 election cycle, voter trends, and the factors shaping North Carolina’s political landscape.

NCFREE’s annual event drew wide participation from leaders in business from every major industry across the state. NCFREE Executive Director Alex Baltzegar said the turnout reflected an effort to renew alignment between policymakers and the private sector around sustaining North Carolina’s economic success.

“NCFREE’s goal in hosting this event each year is to serve as a valued connector between our state’s business community and our top policymakers,” Baltzegar said. “The North Carolina Leadership Luncheon brings these voices together in a candid and constructive setting to discuss solutions that keep North Carolina as a top destination for jobs and investment.”

The Presenting Sponsors for this event were Duke Energy, North State Bank, and Mountaire Farms, representing three key industries in North Carolina.

The NCFREE Leadership Luncheon has become the state’s premier annual gathering for civically engaged business and industry leaders, offering exclusive insights into the issues shaping North Carolina’s future.

About NCFREE

NCFREE is North Carolina’s trusted, nonpartisan source of business intelligence and research for the business community. Since 1983, NCFREE has provided data-driven analysis of elections, campaign finance, and the legislative landscape to help business and civic leaders make informed decisions. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NCFREE does not lobby or endorse candidates. Learn more about NCFREE online at ncfree.org.