Economist Christopher Thornberg to Speak at IBO Conference

Leading forecaster to provide data-driven economic insights for out-of-home industry

Feb. 2, 2026 at 2:31am

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The Independent Billboard Operators (IBO) Conference is bringing in renowned economist Christopher Thornberg, Ph.D. to deliver a clear-eyed, data-driven view of the economic landscape. Thornberg, known for his accurate forecasts and ability to separate signal from noise, will provide context on national and regional trends and their impact on local out-of-home markets, helping operators make confident, long-term decisions.

Why it matters

Understanding the broader economic backdrop is crucial for independent billboard operators, as it shapes key factors like advertiser confidence, media budgets, real estate values, infrastructure investment, and traffic demand. Thornberg's expertise in areas like regional forecasting, labor market dynamics, housing trends, and economic policy will give operators practical perspective to navigate risks and opportunities.

The details

Thornberg has built a reputation as an economist who doesn't buy into hype, accurately predicting the subprime mortgage collapse in 2007 and pushing back on overly pessimistic COVID-era forecasts. His work focuses on bridging the gap between data and perception, providing business audiences with a grounded assessment of economic realities. For out-of-home operators, Thornberg's insights will directly address issues shaping industry performance and long-term value, from traffic growth along major corridors to housing and rent trends.

  • The Spring 2026 IBO Conference takes place April 14–17, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The players

Christopher Thornberg

An economist known for his accurate forecasts and ability to separate signal from noise in the economy.

Independent Billboard Operators (IBO)

The organization hosting the conference where Thornberg will speak.

Drachman M&A Co.

A trusted advisor to media owners that is sponsoring Thornberg's session at the IBO Conference.

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What’s next

The Spring 2026 IBO Conference takes place April 14–17, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Operators can register to attend and hear Thornberg's insights firsthand.

The takeaway

For out-of-home operators trying to plan through noisy economic headlines, Thornberg's data-driven perspective and ability to cut through the noise will provide practical guidance to support confident, long-term decision-making.