October 17, 2002
Contact: Anne K. Johnson (509-963-3468/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: johnsann@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The recently enacted “fast track” trade
legislation, Mexican tariffs on imports of Washington apples, the
weakening U.S. dollar, sharply increasing energy costs and water
shortages will be among the topics discussed at this year’s Economic
Outlook Conference at Central Washington University.
The fourth annual event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 9
a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Samuelson Union Building on CWU’s Ellensburg
campus.
Presented by the university’s College of Business (COB), the Economic
Outlook Conference is sponsored by Pacific Northwest Bank, CWU/Thayer
Small Grants Program and Phoenix Economic Development Group.
“Our primary objective is to provide a forum for addressing
key issues that are important to the economic vitality of the central
region of Washington state,” Dr. Roy Savoian, COB dean, says. “The
university’s continued involvement with these issues also helps to
prepare our graduates for the workplace and rapidly changing regional
economy.”
The conference speakers, all recognized experts, include:
- Dr. John Mitchell, of the Portland, Ore., based M & H Economic
Consultants, who will discuss the past and potential performance of
central Washington relative to national and global economic trends;
- Dr. Desmond O’Rourke, president of the economic consulting firm
Belrose, Inc., will review the performance of the agriculture sector in
the season just concluding and comment on market prospects;
- Washington State Employment Security Department, Labor Market and
Economic Analysis Branch, who will present a current analysis for the
regional economy.
The conference, which will also include information about the
“Best in the Region” award to be presented to the business of the year
in central Washington and a speaker question-and-answer panel, is
designed for both private and public sector managers.
“We believe that leaders in agriculture, construction,
finance, utilities, retail sales, education and economic development
will find the information presented particularly useful,” Savoian adds.
The cost for attending the program is $60 per person, which
includes refreshments, lunch and a one-day campus parking permit.
For more information, visit the COB Web site at
www.cwu.edu/~cob and select “events,” or call (509) 963-2933, or for
the hearing impaired (TDD) 509-963-3323. To register, call (800)
752-4379.
