Experts to brief area business leaders on economic outlook

Four leading economists will share their insights and predictions for local, regional, national and international economies and financial markets for the remainder of 2006 and beyond at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Economic Outlook conference on Friday, Sept. 15.

For more than 40 years, the semi-annual event has helped business leaders and owners translate economic trends into competitive intelligence. The event will explore factors impacting the economy such as interest rates, oil prices, federal budget deficits and the relative strength of the dollar. Business leaders from throughout Wisconsin, northern Illinois and eastern Iowa are expected to attend.

The briefing is scheduled from 8:30 a.m.-3:20 p.m. Featured speakers are:

— Marc Miles, director, the Heritage Foundation’s Center for International Trade and Economics. Miles directs research on role of free markets and democracy in fostering international economic growth and is the author of three books: “Beyond Monetarism,” “International Economics in an Integrated World” and “Devaluation, the Trade Balance and the Balance of Payments.”

— Greg Hallberg, founder and CEO, Waymark Strategists. Hallberg is author of more than 50 articles and presentations on intercultural business dealings, globalization and localization initiatives, global leadership and strategic vision versus daily tactical management, along with product development and alternative energy technologies. He is passionate about Asia-Pacific’s advancements in business and the world economy, cultural and political influences, and military and environmental uncertainties.

— Walter Dewey, senior portfolio strategist, U.S. Bank Private Asset Management. Dewey is involved in the development and oversight of U.S. Bank’s investment strategies and products and is known for his practitioner-based opinions and a strong emphasis on how to implement his ideas and suggestions — often called upon by the media for his command of financial market dynamics.

— Donald A. Nichols, director, Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy, UW–Madison. Nichols provides exceptional insights based upon his ongoing research of the Midwest and its place in the international economy. His research on regional policy has appeared in the American Economic Review, Journal of Political Economy and Review of Economics and Statistics.

A brief question-and-answer period will follow each presentation. For more information or to register for the event, call (800) 348-8964.

Economic Outlook is a signature event of the Executive Education program at the UW–Madison School of Business. The program is ranked 14th is the United States and 26th in the world among top executive education providers by the Financial Times.