Just before the Summer break, on Thursday, June 26, 2025, business leaders converged at Wipfli’s Offices in Denver for the IBCircle CEO & CFO Global Roundup. This exclusive event, organized by the International Business Circle, Inc. (IBCircle) in partnership with Wipfli, brought together over 50 CEOs, CFOs and investors to delve into strategic insights on forthcoming disruptors and opportunities for businesses both locally and internationally. The core objective was to discuss critical issues that every CEO and board should be addressing, moving beyond common topics like tariffs, tax credits, and geopolitical risks.

The overarching sentiment of the roundup was the unprecedented level of uncertainty dominating the current global business environment. Gary Montes de Oca highlighted this, noting over 3,100 mentions of the word" uncertain" or "uncertainty" in US public company earnings calls in the last 90 days – more than during the 2008 financial crisis or COVID-19. This reality means traditional linear strategic planning, based on "historical industry assumptions," is no longer sufficient. Companies have even resorted to "dual earnings release forecasts" due to the unpredictability.

Speakers identified several critical disruptors that demand proactive engagement.

“This is just the start” was the main message and sentiment during the speeches and exchanges at the reception at the Governor’s Mansion celebrating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 27, 2025, between Colorado and the United Kingdon (U.K.) to foster cooperation on economic relations, trade, and investment.

This new partnership will develop and promote shared opportunities between Colorado and the U.K. in clean energy, climate smart agriculture, quantum technologies, space technology, tourism, and artificial intelligence — all important economic drivers for both economies.