The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce convened senior business leaders for the Chicago debut of FGS Global Radar 2026, marking the launch of the Chicago Business Insights Forum presented by BMO. The discussion brought together FGS Global leaders Katie Cissel, Bryan Locke, and Megan Moore, alongside Mike Miranda of BMO, and was moderated by Darrel Hackett, CEO of BMO U.S.

Grounded in the FGS Global Radar 2026 report, the conversation focused on how global political, economic, technological, and social shifts are reshaping the environment in which organizations operate. Rather than predicting the future, the session centered on helping leaders understand the forces already at work and how to respond with clarity and confidence.

What a “Rewired World” Means for Leaders

The report frames 2026 as a moment when long‑standing assumptions no longer hold. Global systems that once emphasized shared rules and institutions are giving way to more transactional relationships, faster decision cycles, and heightened uncertainty.

Influence is increasingly fragmented, and leaders are navigating environments where signals are noisier, trust is harder to earn, and change is constant rather than episodic. The discussion emphasized that recognizing this shift is the first step toward building strategies that can withstand it.

Division, Pessimism, and the Challenge of Trust

A central theme of the Radar is the growing gap between public sentiment and institutional leadership. Widespread pessimism, concerns about affordability, and declining trust in traditional institutions are shaping how employees, consumers, and communities respond to decisions.

The conversation explored how these dynamics show up inside organizations and cities, underscoring the importance of listening closely to different stakeholder realities and leading with transparency in environments where legitimacy can no longer be assumed.

Global Disruption and Local Impact

While the Radar is global in scope, the discussion repeatedly returned to how international dynamics translate into local consequences. Geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainty, and conflict ripple through supply chains, investment decisions, pricing pressures, and hiring strategies.

For leaders in Chicago and the Midwest, these forces are not abstract. They directly affect competitiveness, access to capital, and long‑term planning, making global awareness a practical business requirement rather than a distant concern.

Policy Volatility and Political Uncertainty

The report highlights a world where policy and regulatory baselines can shift quickly, particularly in election cycles shaped by economic anxiety and affordability concerns. The discussion reinforced the need for scenario planning and organizational agility, rather than reliance on stable assumptions.

Leaders were encouraged to prepare for multiple outcomes and to understand how political dynamics can influence markets, regulation, and public expectations with little warning.

Growth, Capital, and a K‑Shaped Economy

Economic growth in 2026 is uneven, with clear winners and losers across sectors and communities. The Radar describes a K‑shaped economy where capital, opportunity, and optimism are not evenly distributed.

Affordability pressures remain top of mind for the public, influencing attitudes toward business, taxation, and fairness. For organizations, this reality shapes investment decisions, workforce strategies, and how growth is perceived by customers and employees alike.

AI, Work, and the Social Contract

Artificial intelligence is accelerating faster than many organizations’ ability to fully integrate it. The report points to a widening gap between how leaders discuss AI and how workers experience it.

While AI presents real opportunities for productivity and innovation, it also raises concerns about job security, skills, and trust. The discussion emphasized that successful adoption depends not only on technology, but on how leaders manage change, communicate intent, and address workforce impacts.

Lasting Thoughts

Together, these insights reflect the kind of forward‑looking intelligence the Chicago Business Insights Forum is designed to deliver. Download and read the full FGS Global Radar 2026 report here.

View the full photo gallery from the event here.