Florida Economic Research Network to Sponsor Statewide Conference

Leading economists to share views on economic recovery and trends from statewide, regional and global perspectives

ORLANDO, FL (Nov. 18, 2010) – A slate of distinguished economists are on the agenda of the Florida Economic Research Network’s first statewide conference, which will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. December 3 at the Orlando International Airport Hyatt Regency Hotel in Regency Ballroom AB.
Entitled “Florida in the Emerging Economic Landscape:  Recovery, double-dip, or something altogether different?  Florida’s Economists weigh in,” the conference will feature Dr. Thomas Cunningham, vice president and associate director of research for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, as the keynote speaker.  Sessions and presenters will include:

Statewide Perspective Panel:  Florida’s Economy in 2011 and Beyond

·         Dr. David Denslow, research economist, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, and distinguished service professor, Department of Economics, University of Florida (moderator)
·         Dr. Gary Jackson, assistant professor of economics/director of the Regional Economic Research Institute, Florida Gulf Coast University
·         Dr. Graham Toft, principal, GrowthEconomics Inc.

Regional Perspective Panel:  Economic Recovery Across Florida’s Regions

·         Dr. Rick Harper, professor, University of West Florida; director, HAAS Center for Business Research and Economic Development (moderator)
·         William Pittenger, Bill Pittenger Real Estate Economics LLC
·         Dr. William Stronge, economics professor emeritus, Florida Atlantic University

Global Perspective Panel:  International Market Trends and Opportunities

·         Dr. Antonio Villamil, dean, St. Thomas University; principal economic advisor, Washington Economics Group (moderator)
·         Dr. Robert Cruz, chief economist, Miami-Dade County
·         Michael Aller, adjunct professor, Rollins College; lead facilitator at Space Coast Energy Consortium.

Advance registration is available through December 2 and the cost is $50, which includes lunch and refreshments.  Visit http://fernconference.eventbrite.com/ to sign up.  On-site registration will cost $65.  Parking will be available in levels 4-10 of the Hyatt’s lot and will cost only $4 for attendees who have their tickets validated at the conference.

Established in 2007, the Florida Economic Research Network (FERN) is a partnership between the state’s economic development community and economists from universities, independent research institutes, commercial banks and other private-sector organizations.  They address topics pertaining to Florida economic development through conferences and occasional articles published on www.eflorida.com/FERN, an online forum for the exchange of information and ideas on Florida’s economy.

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a partnership between Florida’s business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, EFI’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.  In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

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Stuart Doyle
(407) 956-5689
sdoyle@eflorida.com