Speakers, Date Set for Business Forecast Luncheon | Arkansas Business News

Walmart Inc. CFO Brett Biggs will serve as the moderator for the 28th annual Business Forecast Luncheon on Jan. 28 at the Rogers Convention Center.

The luncheon will also feature guest economists who will give their outlook on the regional, national and international economy and regularly attracts more than 1,000 attendees. The event is held by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas’ Walton College of Business; the 2021 forecast was not held in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

“Learning about global, national and regional economic forecasts help us make informed financial decisions that impact our community, businesses and personal lives,” Walton College Dean Matt Waller said. “The Business Forecast is unusually important this year given the uncertainty of inflation and the supply chain challenges.”

Mervin Jebaraj, the director of the CBER, will give the local forecast. David Altig, executive vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, will give the national forecast, and the international forecast will be given by Juhi Dhawan, the senior managing director of Wellington Management.

“The region’s business and community leaders get the opportunity to hear from economists about the path of the economy in the face of so much uncertainty,” Jebaraj said. “The state and the region can use that information to make their organizations stronger. I am gratified each year at the interest and level of participation in the Business Forecast Luncheon.”