Hear the forecast on how Georgia’s and the Columbus area’s economies will perform. Economic predictions will cover employment, income, population, and real estate. This year’s speech will be given by Robert T. Sumichrast, Dean, Terry College of Business.

Speakers: 

Robert T. Sumichrast became dean of the Terry College of Business in July 2007 and holds the Simon S. Selig, Jr. Chair for Economic Growth. From 2003-07, he was dean of the E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University. Sumichrast has served on the editorial boards and as a reviewer for numerous academic and industry publications. He has authored a textbook and dozens of articles about improving operations and the practice of business. In 2011, he was elected by the membership of AACSB International to the organization’s board of directors. The AACSB governs and accredits collegiate business schools worldwide. He serves as vice chair of the AACSB Initial Accreditation Committee and as a member of the AACSB Accreditation Coordination Committee.

Jeffrey M. Humphreys is the Director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. The Selig Center is an endowed economic forecasting and market research center. Dr. Humphreys is a member of the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors for the state of Georgia and is a monthly columnist for Georgia Trend Magazine. Dr. Humphreys has published over 250 applied and academic studies regarding market research, economic forecasting, transportation and economic development. In Georgia, Dr. Humphreys is best known for his detailed economic forecasts, but nationally he is best known for his detailed estimates of the spending power of African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans and Native Americans.