They’re not fortune tellers or tea leaf readers. But they understand the economic forces affecting the region better than most.
A carefully selected group of local economists and other experts will offer insights into how San Diego’s economy will fare this year at the 29th Annual San Diego County Economic Roundtable Jan. 25. Hundreds are expected to attend the free event, to be held at the University of San Diego.
“The Roundtable has become the go-to gathering for insight and analysis about the future of our economy,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Dianne Jacob. “These experts can help us all–from the public and private sectors to our own families, as we try to plan ahead.”
The event this year will place a special focus on San Diego’s defense sector and clean technology industry, as well as the local, state and national economy and local real estate market.
The Roundtable is the region’s longest-running free economic forecasting event and will take place at USD’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice at 5998 Alcala Park in San Diego. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the event is expected to run from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Participants will have a chance to ask questions of panelists.
Jacob, Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors, will offer opening remarks, along with Christina de Vaca, USD’s Director of Master of Science in Executive Leadership and Kelsey Kellas, U-T San Diego’s Sales Manager. U-T San Diego’s Diana McCabe and Roger Showley will act as moderators.
The first panel will include Lynn Reaser, Chief Economist at Point Loma Nazarene University, Alan Gin, Associate Professor of Economics at USD’s School of Business Administration and Marney Cox, SANDAG’s Chief Economist. Reaser will offer a national and state perspective on 2013’s economy while Gin will talk about the local economy. Cox will discuss emerging trends.
The second panel will include Russell T. Valone II, President and CEO of MarketPointe Realty Advisors, Larry Blumberg, the Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council and Holly Smithson, Chief Operating Officer of CleanTECH San Diego. Valone will talk about the local real estate market and Blumberg will discuss the local defense industry. Smithson, meanwhile, will share insights on the local clean technology sector.
The event’s sponsors include the County of San Diego, San Diego Workforce Partnership, University of San Diego and U-T San Diego.
For more information or to register, visit www.sdcounty.ca.gov/economicroundtable.
