2009 UNC Wilmington Economic Outlook Conference Oct. 6 to Focus on Regional Economic Recovery

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The University of North Carolina Wilmington will host the sixth annual Economic Outlook Conference, presented by the Cameron School of Business, from 7:30 to 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, in the Burney Center on the UNCW campus. With the move to a new venue, the conference will now offer a seating arrangement of round tables, and attendees may purchase individual registrations or tables of eight.

The theme for this year’s conference, which is open to the public, is “Seeing into the Future: The Economic Outlook for the Cape Fear Region.” Featured speakers and panelists will explore regional opportunities for economic recovery and growth, based on the current economic realities of the Cape Fear area, forecasts for the coming year and the outlook for various business sectors. An executive panel will discuss the current status of residential and commercial real estate markets as well as the retail and commerce sectors in the region.

Keynote speaker Lew Ebert, president and CEO of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, will discuss the Chamber’s role in economic recovery as the leading advocate for businesses of all sizes in the state. The Chamber’s advocacy mission centers on three priority areas: education and workforce development, infrastructure and competitiveness. It also serves as the state association for North Carolina’s manufacturers.

Former senior official in the Federal Reserve System Tom Simpson, UNCW Department of Economics and Finance, will present an insider’s view of the prospects for national economic recovery and the restoration of financial health. Simpson has consulted for the central banks of both Russia and Iraq, and he is the author of Money, Banking, and Economic Analysis.

William “Woody” Hall, UNCW professor of economics since 1974, will present the 2010 economic forecast for southeastern N.C., focusing on potential areas for recovery and growth. Hall’s work forecasting the economy and the business impact of natural disasters has been published in numerous journals, and his forecasts are often cited on the local, state and national levels.

Conference agenda:

7 a.m., Registration Opens
8 a.m., Conference Welcome
8:20 a.m., 2009 Economic Summary and 2010 Economic Forecast
10 a.m., Keynote Speaker S. Lewis Ebert, NC Chamber of Commerce
10:40 a.m., Panel Discussion
11:15 a.m., Closing Comments and Adjourn

The 2009 UNCW Economic Outlook Conference is sponsored by Bank of America, Commercial Alliance Realtors, Progress Energy, Greater Wilmington Business Journal, Wilma, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, the Small Business Technology Development Center, North Carolina Ports, the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and UNCW.

Conference registration is $35 for individuals or $240 for a table of eight. For more information or to register, visit www.uncw.edu/eoc or call 910.962.2237.

Media are invited to attend breakfast and cover the event. Please RSVP to Dana Fischetti to be placed on the media attendee list. NOTE: there will be a special announcement and presentation to a prominent local business leader at 8:20 a.m.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu