Economic Forecast, Recession Strategies Part of UA’s Jan. 13 Economic Outlook Conference

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Most economists agree that the economic forecast for the nation for 2011 is weak, at best.

The underlying reasons for that forecast, how Alabama will fare next year, and how the Federal Reserve Bank will work to ease the effects of the recession will be discussed at the 2011 Economic Outlook Conference Jan.13 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel.

The annual conference is organized by The University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research, and it is sponsored by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alabama Power, Alabama SBDC Network, BBVA Compass, BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, Boeing Co., Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Sterne Agee and Vulcan Materials.

The registration fee of $125 is due by Jan. 6, and it includes a buffet breakfast and a copy of the “Alabama Economic Outlook 2011.”

Conference check-in and breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m., followed by a welcome and introductions at 8:30 a.m. by Dr. Michael Hardin, senior associate dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration at The University of Alabama.

At 8:35 a.m., Dr. David Altig, senior vice president and director of research of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will present the keynote address, “The Fed’s Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of the Great Recession.” Following a short break, Dr. Samuel Addy, director of UA’s Center for Business and Economic Research, will give the U.S. and Alabama outlooks, which will include a look at how the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has impacted the state and coastal economies.

For additional information or to register for the conference, visit http://cber.cba.ua.edu, e-mail uacber@cba.ua.edu, or phone 205/348-6191.