Experts to brief area business leaders on outlook for economy

Four leading economists will share their insights and predictions and explore factors affecting the economy for the remainder of 2005 and into 2006 at the UW–Madison’s Economic Outlook at the Fluno Center on the UW–Madison campus Friday, September 16.

Learn how these nationally-renowned economists translate economic trends into competitive intelligence by assessing issues including rising fuel prices, inflationary pressures, the war in Iraq, and state and national budgets. Will Hurricane Katrina have a lasting impact?

Professor Charles Krueger, who manages the semi-annual Economic Outlook for Executive Education at the School of Business, says, “Economic Outlook provides a unique opportunity to learn from and discuss key economic issues with leading experts. Energy costs, real estate, interest rates, financial markets and government policies affect all of us. Each of our presenters is uniquely qualified to help assess what is taking place in our economy and how businesses can use this information.”

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

• James F. Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Finance, University of North Carolina, who was named the “most accurate [economic] forecaster” by The Wall Street Journal three times in the past six years;
• Anthony Chan, Ph.D., Senior Economist, JPMorgan Asset Management, former advisor to Alan Greenspan and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors while serving on the Economic Advisory Committee of the American Bankers Association;
• David Hale, Hale Advisors, LLC, Chicago, who has testified before Congressional committees and conducted briefings for senior officials in the executive branch, including President Bush and has also served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense on how changes in the global economy affect U.S. security relationships;
• Donald A. Nichols, Ph.D., UW–Madison, Director, La Follette School of Public Affairs, provides exceptional insights based on his ongoing research of Wisconsin and the Midwest economies.

A brief question-and-answer period will follow each presentation. Business leaders, managers, owners and executives have been attending this signature semi-annual event at the School of Business for over 30 years.

The cost to attend is $395 per person, $355 per person for two or more from the same organization. To register, contact Gina Srenaski at 608-441-7316 or gsrenaski@bus.wisc.edu.