Sponsored by Drachman M&A Co.
Understanding where the economy is headed isn’t an academic exercise for independent billboard operators. It’s a business necessity. Advertiser confidence. Media budgets. Real estate values. Infrastructure investment. Traffic demand. The economic backdrop shapes the decisions you make and the risks you take every day.
That’s why the IBO Conference is bringing in Christopher Thornberg, Ph.D., one of the country’s most respected and refreshingly candid economic forecasters.
The economist who doesn’t buy the hype
Thornberg has been called “Dr. Doom,” a contrarian, even an optimist. But more than anything, he’s correct.
He became widely known for warning about the subprime mortgage collapse in 2007 and for being among the relatively few who anticipated the recession that followed.
During the COVID era, while plenty of forecasts leaned into worst-case scenarios, Thornberg pushed back on “depression” predictions that did not materialize. He kept the focus on what the numbers actually supported.
Data over storytime
A big through-line in Thornberg’s work is the gap between what people feel is happening and what the data says is happening. He urges business audiences to be wary of narratives that drift away from reality.
For operators trying to plan through noisy headlines, that mindset is practical, not theoretical.
Why Thornberg matters to OOH operators
His work maps directly to issues that shape out-of-home performance and long-term value:
- Regional and sub-regional economic forecasting
- Labor market dynamics
- Housing, land use, and real estate trends
- Infrastructure, transportation, and traffic demand
- Economic policy and public investment
Notable recent projects include forecasting traffic growth along major interstate corridors, housing and rent control studies, recession recovery planning for major cities, and an economic impact study tied to the 2024 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Those are the kinds of forces that affect billboard valuation and planning, whether you’re buying, building, or holding.
A speaker who cuts through the noise
Thornberg is known not only for forecast accuracy, but for commanding a room. He has spoken to hundreds of business, government, and nonprofit audiences worldwide, including major brands and industry organizations.
He also contributes to broader consensus forecasting and is a frequent media voice.
What operators can expect from his IBO session
At the IBO Conference, Dr. Thornberg will deliver a clear-eyed, data-driven view of the economic landscape, separating signal from noise and headlines from reality.
Operators can expect:
- Insight into where the economy is actually headed
- Context for how national and regional trends affect local OOH markets
- A grounded assessment of risk and opportunity
- Practical perspective to support confident, long-term decision-making
Join us in New Orleans this April
The Spring 2026 IBO Conference takes place April 14–17, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you’re ready for a few days of learning, connection, and operator-to-operator conversations that actually help, this is the room to be in.
Click here to register – https://ibomembers.org/events/143692
If you cannot access your account, please reach out to support@ibousa.org for assistance.
Proudly Sponsored by Drachman M&A Co.
This session is proudly sponsored by Drachman M&A Co., a trusted advisor to media owners navigating growth, transition, and long-term value. Their sponsorship underscores the importance of pairing economic insight with strategic planning especially in an asset-driven industry like out-of-home.
To receive a free morning newsletter with each day’s Billboard insider articles email info@billboardinsider.com with the word “Subscribe” in the title. Our newsletter is free and we don’t sell our subscriber list.
Paid Advertisement
