Economic Summit for Alabama Leaders Set for Oct. 15
Top leaders from the state’s business, government and academic communities will gather in Birmingham Oct. 15 for the 2008 Economic Summit for Alabama Leaders.
The event, co-sponsored by the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and the Business Council of Alabama, will be the first of a planned annual gathering designed to examine the state’s business climate in light of national economic trends and forecasts.
“We’re proud of our accomplishments in this state,” said Dr. Michael Hardin, senior associate dean at the Culverhouse College of Commerce. While news media outlets report that the national economy is shaky, the economic climate in Alabama is better off than most other locations, he said.
With a slate of top-notch state and regional speakers, experts in business and economic policy, the summit will look at various segments of the state’s economy including banking and real estate. Speakers also will address the issue of public policy and its impact on the economy. Speakers scheduled to speak so far are Neal Wade, director of the Alabama Development Office; John D. Harrison, superintendent of the Alabama Banking Department; BCA President William J. Canary; and Sherry Dinges from the Alabama Association of Realtors.
Alabama’s economy has continued to weather the storm that has affected much of the rest of the country, thanks to the creation of jobs from new and expanding industry.
Speakers will address the reasons for the solid foundation of the state’s economy, the challenges facing the state as an increasingly respected player in the global economy, and the opportunities that lie ahead as Alabama looks to the future.
The summit will be held at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. The program begins at 8 a.m. with registration, and will end at 1:30 p.m., following a luncheon featuring Gov. Bob Riley. Cost will be $250 per person.
For more information, please visit http://cba.ua.edu/econsummit, or to receive a conference brochure, email alabamasummit@cba.ua.edu.