Economists to discuss 2023 outlook Jan. 27 in Rogers

News BriefsNorthwest Arkansas

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) January 12, 2023 3:17 pm 986 views 

Guests attend the Economic Forecast Luncheon presented by the University of Arkansas Center for Business and Economic Research on Feb. 1, 2019, at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. FILE PHOTO

A panel of three economists will provide their 2023 economic forecasts for the region, nation and world at the 29th annual Business Forecast Luncheon in Rogers.

The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas will host the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Rogers Convention Center. Networking starts at 10:45 a.m.

Following are the panelists:

  • CBER Director Mervin Jebaraj, the state and regional forecaster
  • Walmart chief economist John List, the domestic forecaster
  • Global forecaster Julia Coronado, founder of economic research firm MacroPolicy Perspectives.
  • Todd Simmons, CEO and co-vice chair of Siloam Springs-based Simmons Foods, will be the panelist moderator.

Along with his Walmart role, List is the Kenneth C. Griffin Distinguished Service Professor in Economics at the University of Chicago. And Coronado is also a clinical associate professor at the McCombs School of Business.

“The region’s business and community leaders get the opportunity to hear from economists about the path of the economy in the face of so much uncertainty,” Jebaraj said. “The state and the region can use that information to make their organizations stronger. I am gratified each year at the interest and level of participation in the Business Forecast Luncheon.”

According to the CBER website, more than 1,200 business and community leaders typically attend the event. Registration is available at cber.uark.edu. Jan. 20 is the deadline to register.

Following are some of the event sponsors: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Devereaux Real Estate Investments, Drake Farms, Greenwood Gearhart, RMP LLP | Attorneys At Law, Rose Law Firm, Simmons Foods, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Regions Bank, American Electric Power Foundation, J.B. Hunt Transport Services and Nabholz Construction.