FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is partnering with the Northwest Arkansas Chambers of Commerce to host a Quarterly Business Analysis breakfast at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 4. The breakfast event will be at the Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas, 3303 Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, Ark.

James Bullard, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will present a program that provides statistical highlights from the first quarter of 2008, key economic trends, and short- and long-term issues facing the national and regional economy.  Bullard took his current office on April 1. He directs the activities of the bank’s head office in St. Louis as well as its three branches in Little Rock, Ark., Louisville, Ky., and Memphis, Tenn. In addition, he represents the Federal Reserve Bank on the Federal Open Market Committee, the Federal Reserve’s chief monetary policymaking body.

Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, will introduce Bullard and present a few comments on local and state economic trends.

"The Center for Business and Economic Research is so pleased to be able to bring Mr. Bullard to Northwest Arkansas,” Deck said. “It is very important that local business and community leaders get the chance to hear about important economic issues from national level policy-makers.”

The primary purpose of the Quarterly Business Analysis program is to build networks of leaders from business, academic and governmental sectors in the region. The goal is solid and sustainable economic development in Arkansas. "The Quarterly Business Analysis program exists to help community and business leaders obtain the knowledge that will help them make informed decisions," said Deck.

The program will last for approximately 75 minutes including time for question and answer. The cost for the Quarterly Business Analysis program and breakfast is $40. Preregistration by Friday, May 30, is required. Reservations can be made online for the breakfast at: http://cber.uark.edu/ or by calling (479) 575-4151.