27th Annual UK Economic Outlook Conference is Feb. 2

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan.  15, 2016) — Will Kentucky and the U.S. add jobs in 2016? What actions can we expect from the Federal Reserve in the coming months? What about the outlook for the stock market? These are just a few of the questions and topics that will be addressed Tuesday, Feb. 2, as the University of Kentucky hosts its 27th Annual Economic Outlook Conference in downtown Lexington.

The event is hosted by the Don and Cathy Jacobs Executive Education Center at UK's Gatton College of Business and Economics, along with the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER). Commerce Lexington and The Lane Report again are serving as presenting sponsors, and the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors (lbar.com), Louisville Business First, and the Cincinnati Business Courier have signed on as partner sponsors this year.

The Lexington Convention Center is the event site with registration and continental breakfast from 8 to 8:30 a.m., and the conference itself from 8:30 to 12 noon. 

Expert speakers and presenters include:

·         Mark E. Schweitzer, senior vice president of external outreach and regional analytics for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Schweitzer's talk is titled "A View from the Federal Reserve."

·         Christopher R. Bollinger, director of UK's Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) and Gatton Endowed Professor of Economics in the Gatton College. Bollinger will speak on the "Economic Outlook for 2016: National and Local Relationships."

·         Jenny A. Minier, director of graduate studies and professor of economics in the Gatton College. Minier will address "International Effects on the Kentucky Economy."

·         David O'Neill, property valuation administrator, Fayette County, will talk about "Real Estate in the Bluegrass and Kentucky."

"This annual conference is a wonderful opportunity for business leaders and other interested citizens to hear from experts on a range of issues impacting our economy," said David W. Blackwell, dean of the Gatton College. "The event always is compelling and extremely informative."

Audience participation will be an important part of the event in the form of question and answer sessions.  

Early registration is recommended for the 27th Annual Economic Outlook conference and can be done online. The registration fee of $115 includes continental breakfast and all materials.  For groups of five or more, a discounted registration fee of $100 per person is offered.

For more information, visit http://www.gatton.uky.edu/eec.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Carl Nathe, 859-257-3200; carl.nathe@uky.edu; Ann Mary Quarandillo, 859-257-0750; annmary.q@uky.edu.