UA announces Arkansas Business Forecast speakers, plans for virtual event in January

by Paul Gatling ([email protected]) 679 views 

One of the state’s largest annual business gatherings will, as anticipated, be a virtual event in 2021.

The 27th annual Arkansas Business Forecast event is scheduled Jan. 29. The event typically draws more than 1,200 business and civic leaders together for networking and a luncheon, and to hear national and international experts discuss the economic outlook for Arkansas, the nation and the world.

This year’s event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Due to the risk from the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to registered attendees on the day before the event.

The annual Business Forecast event is coordinated by the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business and its Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER).

Speakers this year are:

  • Global forecaster, Catherine Mann, is global chief economist at Citibank since February 2018. She is responsible for thought leadership, research guidance of a global team of economists, and cross-fertilization of research across macroeconomics, fixed-income, and equities.
  • Domestic forecaster, Mark Palim, is vice president and deputy chief economist at Fannie Mae. Palim is a key spokesperson on economic trends and a frequent speaker at national mortgage finance and housing industry events.
  • State and regional forecaster, Mervin Jebaraj, is the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the UA.

Pre-registration is required by Friday, Jan. 22. To register, please visit the Business Forecast webpage. For questions or other registration options, call 479-575-4151 or email [email protected].