2025 Kansas Economic Policy Conference — The Ripple Effect: Water and the Kansas Economy
The 2025 Kansas Economic Policy Conference will explore the Ripple Effect: Water and the Kansas Economy. Taking place on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Burge Union on the University of Kansas Lawrence campus with a livestream option, the conference brings together community leaders, policymakers, and subject matter experts. The 2025 KEPC is offered at no cost to attendees.
This year’s conference highlights how water plays a role in the Kansas economy. Discussions on urban and rural water systems and policy will feature speakers and representatives from local communities. Conversations will kick off with a keynote presentation from Donna Ginther, director of KU’s Institute for Policy & Social Research, and the conference will conclude with a panel of policymakers discussing the future of water policy and the Kansas economy.
Program
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Doors open |
| 8:30 am | Welcome & Introduction Barbara A. Bichelmeyer, chief academic officer, provost & executive vice chancellor, University of Kansas |
| 8:45 am | Keynote: The Kansas Economy and Water Resources Donna K. Ginther, Roy A. Roberts and Regents Distinguished Professor, Department of Economics, director, Institute for Policy & Social Research, University of Kansas |
| 9:15 am | Morning Research Presentations Belinda Sturm, professor of civil, environmental & architectural engineering, director, Kansas National Science Foundation EPSCoR Program, University of Kansas |
| 10:15 am | Break |
| 10:30 am | Conversation: Urban Water Introduction: Arash Mafi, executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Kansas Panelists Fred Jones, water resource manager, city of Garden City Corey Keller, superintendent of public works, city of Dodge City Toby Dougherty, city manager, city of Hays Gary Janzen, director of public works and utilities, city of Wichita Moderator: Deb Miller, chair, Kansas Turnpike Authority |
| 11:20 am | Break |
| 11:30 am | Conversation: Rural Water Introduction: Mary Rezac, dean of the School of Engineering, University of Kansas Panelists Paul Johnson, policy analyst, Kansas Rural Center Susan Metzger, director, Strategic Interdisciplinary Program Development and the Kansas Water Institute, Kansas State University Katie Durham, district manager, Western Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 1 Moderator: Deb Miller, chair, Kansas Turnpike Authority |
| 12:20 pm | Lunch |
| 1:15 pm | Conversation: Water and Policy Introduction: Shelley Hooks, vice chancellor for research, University of Kansas Panelists Lindsay Vaughn, Kansas state representative, District 22, ranking member, House Committee on Water, Kansas Legislature Kenny Titus, Kansas state senator, District 18, Kansas Legislature Sandy Pickert, Kansas state representative, District 88, member, House Committee on Water, Kansas Legislature Joshua Svaty, consultant, Gencur Svaty Public Affairs, LLC Moderator: Jim McLean, senior contributor, Kansas Public Radio |
| 2:45 pm | Closing Remarks |
Logistics for Attendees
The Kansas Economic Policy Conference will take place in person at the Burge Union on the University of Kansas Lawrence campus with an online livestream. Attendees viewing the conference online will receive information about connecting to the livestream shortly before the conference. Register to attend the conference in person or online.
Traveling to the KEPC
Note that the intersection of 19th Street and Iowa Street in the City of Lawrence will be closed due to construction, so please plan your route accordingly.
Parking
Park in the Central District Garage or the Allen Fieldhouse Garage in a long-term parking spot. Use one of the parking payment apps or the pay station to pay for parking. You will need to enter your license plate number to pay for parking. More detailed parking information is available. Please do not park in the lots near the Burge Union unless you have a valid KU permit.
Captions
In-person and online attendees can access live captions for the conference. Check your email for a link to captions. In-person attendees, please plan to bring a device such as a laptop or tablet to view captions.
Questions for Speakers
During the conference, attendees will have the option to submit questions for panelists using an online form. Check your email for a link to access the form.