The UCCS Economic Forum will be hosting their 28th annual event from noon – 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 26 at the Ent Center for the Arts.
For over 27 years, this longstanding community event has been the leading source of economic data and insight in the Pikes Peak Region. This year’s forum will be headlined by Elizabeth Garner, Colorado State Demographer. Bill Craighead, Director of the UCCS Economic Forum, will present on the local, state and national economies.
“It’s an honor to lead an institution that has received such longstanding support from the community,” Craighead said. “I’m excited about what we have planned for this year’s event. The State Demography Office is a fantastic resource for Colorado, and I’m looking forward to Elizabeth Garner’s insights.”
“We also have some great panelists who will help us understand two of the most important economic shifts I’ve been watching – how downtowns and commercial real estate are evolving with the changes in how we work, and the surge in new business formation in the past several years,” he continued. “I’m also looking forward to the opportunities to connect at our welcome reception and happy hour!”
There will be two concurrent panel discussions for attendees to choose from: “The Future of Downtowns and Commercial Real Estate” and “Small Business in the Pikes Peak Region: Opportunities and Challenges.” Each panel discussion will feature a facilitator from the UCCS College of Business and regional experts on each topic.
“The Future of Downtowns and Commercial Real Estate” speakers include:
- Lauren Hallaron, MA (Facilitator), University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Alex Dumas (Panelist), Olive Real Estate Group
- Susan Edmonson (Panelist), Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs
- Jeff Finn (Panelist), Norwood Development Group
- Bill Shrum (Panelist), Downtown Colorado Inc.
“Small Business in the Pikes Peak Region: Opportunities and Challenges” speakers include:
- Dave Kocsis, Ph.D. (Facilitator), University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Ramon Alvarez (Panelist), Minuteman Press
- Brandon Eldridge (Panelist), Small Business Development Center
- Kia Palmer (Panelist), Veterans Business Outreach Center
- Lola Woloch (Panelist), Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
“Each year the College of Business looks forward to the Economic Forum,” said UCCS College of Business Dean Thomas Aicher. “We are grateful to have Dr. Bill Craighead as director for a full year now, and are excited to see his upcoming initiatives and plans for the Forum. We are also tremendously thankful for the support and dedication of the Forum’s partners, sponsors, volunteers and community members. This event is a collaborative effort, with lots of moving pieces and a diverse collection of contributors.”
Doors will open at noon, with a welcome reception from noon until 1 p.m., when the program begins. Following the presentations, there will be an in-person happy hour networking event hosted in the Ent Center for the Arts foyer. Attendees will receive a drink ticket at check-in, which can be redeemed at the bar during the networking hour.
Tickets are now available at $65 per individual, and the event is open to the public. To register, please visit the 28th Annual UCCS Economic Forum registration page.
About the Economic Forum
With a vision for business partnership and local economic insights, the first UCCS Economic Forum, formerly named the Southern Colorado Economic Forum, took place at The Broadmoor Hotel 27 years ago on September 10, 1997. The UCCS Economic Forum is a community resource for data and analysis to help citizens, businesses and civic leaders understand the economic and business conditions affecting the Pikes Peak Region and make better-informed decisions. The Forum provides a monthly report to Forum partners and helps inform the public through presentations, media appearances, a regular column in the Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest and the “Weekly Economic Snapshot” video series.
About the College of Business
The UCCS College of Business was established in 1965 and has more than 1,300 undergraduates and 350 MBA students. The College of Business and Administration awards the Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Innovation degrees. The Graduate School of Business Administration awards the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Executive Doctor of Business Administration degrees. More than 10,000 alumni of the College of Business live and work around the world. For more information, visit business.uccs.edu.