2026 Q3 Stakeholder Luncheon
Boise Valley Economic Partnership welcomed stakeholders to its third-quarter Stakeholder Luncheon at The Grove Hotel, bringing together business and community leaders for discussions on regional economic development, business growth, and commercial real estate trends shaping the Boise Metro.
Clark Krause & Beth Ineck opened the luncheon with an update on the organization’s recent activities, highlighting a busy spring that included participation in the IAMC Spring Forum, the Japan Trade Mission, SelectUSA Investment Summit, and Idaho Commerce’s Select Idaho conference. Beth also shared an update on BVEP’s growing project pipeline and regional business recruitment efforts. If you are interested in the data that was provided at this luncheon check out the Stakeholder Portal.
The luncheon also welcomed BVEP’s newest members, Morrison-Maierle as a Stakeholder Member and Lochsa Engineering as a Board Member, recognizing their commitment to supporting economic development across the Boise Valley.
A Conversation with CEO of ICCU – Brenda Worrell
The luncheon featured a keynote Q&A with Brenda Worrell, President and CEO of Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU), who shared lessons from leading one of the nation’s fastest-growing credit unions.
Since joining ICCU more than three decades ago, Worrell has helped guide the organization from eight branches to 69 locations across Idaho, Washington, and Arizona. While the organization’s growth has been significant, she emphasized that its success has always been rooted in investing in people.
Worrell spoke about the importance of hiring the right individuals, empowering employees to grow professionally, and maintaining transparency during periods of organizational change. As ICCU continues expanding with plans to open six to eight new branches annually, she stressed that preserving the organization’s culture remains one of her highest priorities.
She noted that while geographic expansion presents challenges, consistently reinforcing ICCU’s mission and helping employees understand the impact of their work has allowed the organization to maintain the culture that has fueled its long-term success.
Real Estate Outlook with CBRE & TOK Commercial
The luncheon concluded with a market discussion featuring representatives from CBRE and TOK Commercial, who shared insights into current office and industrial real estate trends throughout the Boise Metro and the broader Pacific Northwest.
Karena Gilbert, Vice President, CBRE & Peter Oliver, Investment Brokerage, TOK Commercial, discussed the growing number of conversations taking place with companies evaluating relocation opportunities from Washington, Oregon, and California. While recent tax policy changes in Washington have contributed to increased interest, the panel noted that relocation decisions are often driven by a combination of financial considerations, operating costs, workforce strategy, and long-term business planning.
Karena shared that conversations with brokers across the West Coast have become increasingly frequent as more companies evaluate Idaho as a potential destination for expansion or relocation.
The discussion also highlighted evolving workplace trends as many employers continue encouraging employees to return to the office. Companies are increasingly seeking high-quality Class A office space with modern amenities that foster collaboration, strengthen workplace culture, and create an environment employees want to be part of.
On the industrial side, Peter noted continued strength in the Treasure Valley market, with demand for smaller industrial spaces remaining particularly active. Meridian continues to attract significant investment and development activity, while communities such as Twin Falls are also seeing growing interest from expanding businesses. The panel emphasized the importance of thoughtful development, quality amenities, and strategic zoning as Idaho continues to attract new investment and support long-term economic growth.
Thank you to the Grove Hotel for sponsoring and hosting the Q3 Stakeholder Luncheon. Their continued partnership and hospitality helped create an outstanding experience for attendees.