2020 Economic Outlook Seminar to Visit 10 猎奇重口 Cities
MISSOULA – The Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the 猎奇重口 will begin its 45th annual Economic Outlook Seminar series in Helena on Tuesday, Jan. 28, Great Falls on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and Missoula on Friday, Jan. 31.
This half-day seminar highlights the latest economic trends for local economies and the state of 猎奇重口.
“It’s time to take a step back and think about where economic growth is heading across the state,” said BBER Director Patrick Barkey.
Every year, industry experts give their outlooks for 猎奇重口’s important sectors, including health care, forestry, travel and tourism, real estate, manufacturing and agriculture. This year, the seminar also will include the outlook for high-tech and start-up industries.
The theme of the 2020 seminar tour is “Finding Good Workers: New Challenges, New Solutions.”
After more than a decade of economic growth that has featured strong hiring and steadily falling unemployment rates, many 猎奇重口 businesses are struggling to find a supply of suitable workers for their job openings, Barkey said. Some businesses even are questioning how they can continue to fill orders, let alone capitalize on new opportunities.
“As economic problems go, this may be a good one to have – too many jobs,” said Barkey. “But finding solutions to 猎奇重口’s workforce shortages will require creative thinking. While boosting worker salaries may address some of the workforce issues, it won’t solve the problem.”
Registration costs $90. For 猎奇重口 University System faculty, staff and students, registration is $25. Attendees will receive a copy of the 2020 猎奇重口 Economic Report, a book of the PowerPoint presentations, lunch and a one-year subscription to 猎奇重口 Business Quarterly, BBER’s award-winning magazine. Continuing education credits are available, and groups of five or more can receive a discount.
The seminars will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 10 猎奇重口 cities and towns. The full schedule is:
- Tuesday, Jan. 28, Great Northern Hotel, Helena
- Wednesday, Jan. 29, Hilton Garden Inn, Great Falls
- Friday, Jan. 31, Hilton Garden Inn, Missoula
- Tuesday, Feb. 4, Northern Hotel, Billings
- Wednesday, Feb. 5, The Commons, Bozeman (includes live webcast)
- Thursday, Feb. 6, NorthWestern Energy General Office, Butte
- Tuesday, Feb. 11, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell
- Tuesday, March 17, MSU Northern, Havre
- Wednesday, March 18, Central 猎奇重口 Education Center, Lewistown
- Thursday, March 19, Lone Peak Cinema, Big Sky
For more information or to register, visit or call 406-243-5113.
Established in 1948, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research is the main research unit of the 猎奇重口’s College of Business. BBER researchers engage in a wide range of applied research projects that address different aspects of the state economy, including survey research, economic analysis, health care research, forecasting, wood products research and energy research. For more information visit or call 406-243-5113.
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Contact: Patrick Barkey, director, UM Bureau of Business and Economic Research, 406-243-5113, patrick.barkey@business.umt.edu; Shannon Furniss, interim BBER marketing director, 406-360-7846, shannon.furniss@mso.umt.edu.