As we approach the end of 2024, we take a moment to reflect on another successful year at the National Center for the Middle Market. This year has shown remarkable growth for the center, from an expanded portfolio of flagship reports to a growing podcast series and meaningful collaborations with organizations across the nation and around the globe—all aimed at raising awareness of the middle market. We’re proud to have collaborated with incredible organizations this year, including our sponsors Chubb and Visa, as well as our project partners Wells Fargo, CIBER, and Aon.
Data remains the cornerstone of our work. This year, we published two Middle Market Indicators (MMIs) and four flagship research papers, delving into topics such as Purchasing and Selling Abroad and The Role of People, Risk, and Technology in Middle Market Success. These insights captured attention, earning us 19 media citations throughout the year.
Visa and Wells Fargo representatives visited The Ohio State University for an in-person collaboration with the NCMM team.
Digging into the Metrics
The Market that Moves America podcast soared to new heights, releasing 14 episodes and achieving a remarkable 26% growth in downloads from 2023 to 2024. The top performing episodes were:
Our Expert Perspectives series also fueled critical middle market conversations with five thought-provoking blog posts. The most-read piece, “We Want to Tell a Story That's Never Been Told Before,” was authored by Moses Harris, Senior Vice President and Black/African American Segment Leader for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking. This compelling article stems from the insights shared in our research report, 2024 Insights and Perspectives from Black Leaders in the Middle Market.
If you haven’t subscribed to our newsletter yet, now is the perfect time! Stay informed on all the latest insights and updates from the center. Over the past year, we wrote 32 newsletters, which totaled nearly 1.2 million emails sent.
The NCMM team visits Grote Company, a Columbus-based middle market business, for a site tour and interview, enhancing research on international supply chains.
Bringing Education to the Middle Market
This year, we partnered with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to launch the CEO Forum, a peer-to-peer network for middle-market companies, with the initial group consisting of Central Ohio companies.
The CEO Forum connects Ohio business leaders with peers to exchange insights and tackle challenges while providing tools to scale their businesses. The program features an engaging educational course led by top faculty and industry experts from The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business, enriched with research from the National Center for the Middle Market to deliver tailored, real-world examples.
National Reach
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is connecting with individuals and companies passionate about the middle market and eager to learn more. This year, our team hit the road for 11 speaking engagements across 10 cities in the United States, fostering meaningful conversations and sharing insights. For those unable to attend in person, we extended our reach by hosting or presenting at 6 virtual events, ensuring our message resonated far and wide.
No celebration is complete without acknowledging the incredible support we've received. We want to express our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, members, partners, team, and all those who have contributed to our success. Your ongoing support and collaboration have been crucial, and we’re excited for the continued growth ahead. Stay tuned for our goals and plans for 2025 as we kick off the new year!
As we reflect on this incredible year, we’re grateful for the conversations sparked, the stories shared, and the impact made in amplifying the voice of the middle market. While we celebrate these achievements, we also look forward to building on this success in the years to come.
Doug Farren, Managing Director of the NCMM, meets with the Chubb team in New York City.