Panel will provide quality analysis of key economic indicators, with a local focus

LAKELAND, FL (March 31, 2011) – The Florida Southern College School of Business and Economics will host its first-ever Economic Symposium on Friday, April 8, 2011 on the campus of Florida Southern College. The two-part, interactive Symposium will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a panel discussion between expert economists, academic researchers, business leaders, and students. This interactive and dynamic discussion will be followed by a luncheon and presentation of academic papers in the afternoon.

David Odahowski, President and CEO of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation and member of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees, will be the keynote speaker for the Symposium luncheon. He will present “Florida’s Economic Future: The Six Pillars,” a strategy for Florida’s economic future.

Symposium panelists Brian T. Kench, Chairman and Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Tampa; Hassan Pordeli, Hugh Culverhouse Professor of Economics at Jacksonville University; and Carl Brown, Professor of Economics at Florida Southern College, will analyze and discuss key economic indicators and their local public policy implications. Housing, retail, and unemployment statistics are among the topics that the panelists will cover as they delve into the challenges and opportunities facing business owners, job seekers, and policy makers.

“This is the type of event that brings true academic insight and rigor to the marketplace,” said Dr. William Rhey, Dean of the FSC School of Business and Economics. “The Florida Regional Economic Symposium will feature a ‘no punches pulled’ analysis of regional economies. The information provided will offer a valuable new perspective for local business owners and policy makers, alike. We are very excited to bring so many experts together under one roof.”

The Symposium is supported by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by both CPS Investment Advisors of Lakeland and the Academic and Business Research Institute of Jacksonville.

Mr. Odahowski is a former chairman and current board member of the Florida Philanthropic Network and is an adviser to the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership Center at Rollins College. He has served on the Board of Directors of United Arts of Central Florida and the Community Foundation of Central Florida. A former trustee of the Southeast Council on Foundations, Mr. Odahowski also has been a member of the Nonprofit Quarterly’s Editorial Advisory Board.

The Florida Regional Economic Symposium is open to the public and reservations are required. Persons interested in attending can visit the Florida Southern College website at www.flsouthern.edu/symposium, or call 1-863-680-4280.