Annual UK Economic Outlook Conference is Feb. 3

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan.  12, 2015) — What impact might changing oil prices have on the U.S. and Kentucky economy? How will the aging population in the Commonwealth and across the nation affect labor markets? What industries are poised for growth and which are in decline? What effect will these changes have on employment and earnings as Kentucky moves through 2015?  

These and other vital topics will be in the spotlight Tuesday, Feb. 3, as the Don and Cathy Jacobs Executive Education Center at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics, in cooperation with Commerce Lexington, Inc. and The Lane Report, hosts the 26th Annual Economic Outlook Conference.

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 noon. 

Expert speakers and presenters this year include:

·         Christopher J. Waller, senior vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Waller is a former faculty member at the Gatton College. His principal research interests are monetary theory, political economy, and macroeconomic theory.

·         Jennifer A. Hunt, deputy assistant secretary for economic analysis at the U.S. Department of Treasury and former chief economist at the Department of Labor. Her research is on unemployment and unemployment policy, immigration, wage inequality, the science and engineering workforce, transition economics, crime, and corruption.

·         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 provide an overview of the economic outlook for 2015, highlighting the relationships between the local, state, and national economies.

·         Kenneth R. Troske, senior associate dean for administration, faculty and research and Sturgill Endowed Professor of Economics in the Gatton College. Troske's presentation will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the Kentucky economy.

·         Merl Hackbart, director of UK's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration and Gatton Endowed Professor of Finance and Public Administration, will serve as conference moderator.

"This annual conference  provides an outstanding 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 never fails to be compelling and extremely informative."

In addition to the presentation, this year’s schedule includes audience participation in the form of Q&A with the entire panel, followed by Q&A breakout sessions with each speaker toward the end of the program.  

Early registration is recommended for the 26th 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 CONTACT: Carl Nathe, 859-257-3200; carl.nathe@uky.edu.