FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas will host a panel of nationally recognized economists for its 11th annual Business Forecast luncheon. A crowd of more than 1,000 business and civic leaders are expected to attend the event, which is coordinated by the Walton College’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 28, 2005, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Northwest Arkansas Convention Center, Springdale, Ark.

SPEAKERS:

. Moderator: Harold M. Korell, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer, Southwestern Energy Co. 
. International Economy: John B. Menzer, president and chief executive officer, Wal-Mart International executive vice president, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.. 
. National Economy: Gene Huang, chief economist for FedEx Corp. and a managing director of the company’s Economic and Industry Analysis Group. 
. State and Local Economy: Jeff Collins, director, Center for Business and Economic Research, Walton College

SCHEDULE:

11:00  —  Registration
11:30  —  Lunch  served
11:45  —  Panelists’ program begins
1:15   —   Questions and Answers
1:30   —   Event concludes

INTERVIEWS:    Kathy Deck, assistant director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, will be available for interviews from 11-11:25 a.m. in the foyer. The panelists will be available for interviews after the event in the podium area.

PHOTOGRAPHS: During and after the event

LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS:  If you have not already made a reservation for lunch, please contact 479-575-4151, or e-mail: cberinfo@cavern.uark.edu .