Center for Business & Economic Research
Located in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, the Center provides applied economic and business research to federal, state, and local government, as well as to businesses currently operating or those that desire to operate in the state of Arkansas. The Center further works to improve the economic opportunities of all Arkansans by conducting policy research in the public interest.
Quarterly Business Analysis Luncheon
Presentation Slides
Mervin Jebaraj, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, will present the Quarterly Business Analysis.
Join us from 12:00pm to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1325 N Palak Drive, Fayetteville.
To register, please visit the Quarterly Business Analysis webpage or follow the registration link below. Preregistration by Friday, May 31, is required.
Of note: Registration and networking will begin at 11:30am. All luncheon ticket holders are welcome to participate in the networking event with their fellow business and community leaders.
For questions or other registration options, please call 479-575-4151.
The luncheon brings community leaders together to discuss new economic data.
The Quarterly Business Analysis program builds networks of leaders from business, academic and governmental sectors. The program will discuss how updated economic growth projections, inflation expectations, the Federal Reserve’s current monetary stance in interest rates, and its impact on housing and commercial real estate.
Please call 479-575-4151 for registration
Thank you for support of our outreach programs and efforts. For further questions and inquiries please contact cber@walton.uark.edu.
Join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Rogers Convention Center in the World Trade Center District in Rogers.
Of note: This year’s luncheon will be preceded by a networking event for the speakers and attendees. All luncheon ticket holders are welcome to participate in the networking event with their fellow attendees from 10:45 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. in the Rogers Convention Center.
The cost of the luncheon program is $90 for an individual and $900 for a table of 10. Preregistration by Friday, January 19, is required. Reservations can be made for the luncheon at cber.uark.edu, registering above or by calling 479-575-4151. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
2024 Arkansas Annual Business Forecast Video
2024 Business Forecast Presentations
The 30th edition of the Arkansas Business Forecast Luncheon will feature the following lineup of speakers:
.Moderator: Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Global Forecaster: Gregory Daco, chief economist, EY
Domestic Forecaster: Ellen Zenter, chief U.S. economist, Morgan Stanley
State and Regional Forecaster: Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research.
View speakers detailed biographies at Arkansas Business Forecast.
Individual tickets are $90 each. Tables are $900 for a table of 10. Pre-registration
is required. Reservations can be made by registering online or by calling 479-575-4151.
For sponsorships opportunities, please call our office or complete the Business Forecast Sponsor Packet. Thank you to our 2024 Business Forecast Sponsors.
Thank you to 2024 Business Forecast Luncheon Sponsors!
Details about sponsorship opportunities are available here.
For more information contact
Center for Business and Economic Research
CBER-WCOB-JBHT 404
Sam M. Walton College of Business
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
PH: (479) 575-4151
State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report release
and Business Analysis Luncheon Set for Oct. 25
The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, in collaboration with the Northwest Arkansas Council, will release the annual State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report on Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fayetteville Town Center 15 W Mountain Street. This highly anticipated event will provide valuable insights on the economic climate and future growth prospects for the Northwest Arkansas region.
First published in 2011, the State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report is amoung the best measures of the area’s economy, comparing peers such as Madison, Wis.; Raleigh, N.C.; Provo-Orem, Utah; Des Moines, Iowa; and Austin, Texas.
![Mervin Jebaraj 2023 QBA_State of the Region Report](/_resources/2023QBA_StateoftheRegionSpeakers2.png)
Join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 25, 2023 at the Fayetteville Town Center, 15 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Networking and registration will begin at 11:00 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Donna Morris, is executive vice president and chief people officer for Walmart, Inc. Morris is responsible for attracting, retaining and developing talent for more than 2 million associates around the world.
Why it matters: Mervin Jebaraj, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research will share economic data from the Center’s Quarterly Business Analysis.
- “The program will highlight Northwest Arkansas’ progress on a number of key metrics and highlights areas where the region still faces challenges” Jebaraj said.“We will also discuss projections for the national and regional economy as it recovers from a period of high inflation and when we might see another recession.”
To register, please call 479-575-4151. The cost of the luncheon is $50 for an individual or $500 for a table of 10. Preregistration is required by Friday, October 20, 2023.
The Quarterly Business Analysis program builds networks of leaders from business, academic and governmental sectors in the region while addressing business highlights of the previous quarter, key economic trends and projections and immediate and long-term issues facing the regional and state economy.
Donna Morris joined Walmart in 2020 from Adobe, where she led all aspects of the company’s human resources, real estate and security operations. Morris also helped drive a number of workplace-friendly initiatives at Adobe, including expanding its family leave policy and simplifying standard HR processes.
For further questions and inquiries please contact cber@walton.uark.edu.
Recent Research
- State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report 2019
- State of the Region Report (September 2018)
- Results from the 2018-19 Survey of the Labor Market for New PhDs in Economics (January 2018)
- State of the Region Report (October 2017)
- Results from the 2017-18 Survey of the Labor Market for New PhDs in Economics (January 2017)
- Estimating the Demand for and Supply of Early Childhood Education in Northwest Arkansas (September 2016)
- Examining the Status of African Americans and Hispanics in Arkansas (September 2016)
- Economic Impact of the Clean Line in Arkansas (November 2015)
- 2015 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report (October 2015)
- The Economic Impact of the University of Arkansas (February 2015)
- Results from the 2016-17 Survey of the Labor Market for New PhDs in Economics (January 2016)
- 2014 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report (October 2014)
- Arvest Consumer Sentiment Survey (June 2014)
- Economic Impact of Legalizing Retail Alcohol Sales in Craighead, Faulkner, and Saline Counties (May 2014)
- Visitor Spending at the 2013 Bikes, Blues & BBQ Festival (January 2014)
- Economic Impact of University of Arkansas Athletics (October 2012)
- Revisiting the Economic Impact of the Fayetteville Shale (May 2012)
Economic Data
Find economic statistics from national, Arkansas, and specific metropolitan areas.
View the DataOur Staff
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View Staff ListingOur Center in the News
- World Business Report: US CB Consumer Confidence Index today
- Arkansas Online: A hopeful future
- MSN: NABE: US economy poised to outperform in 2024
- KUAF: Maybe the economy hasn't landed at all, according to UofA economist
- Staffing Indusry Analysts: NABE forecast: Inflation to continue, labor market will soften
- Axios Economists see much stronger 2024 growth: NABE survey
- Globest.com: Business Economists Have Higher Inflation Expectations
- Fly Xna Leadership
- UA Walton College economist Mervin Jebaraj analyzes Arkansas and national economic conditions...more
- University of Arkansas News:The State of Economics With Mervin Jebaraj Set for June 5
- University of Arkansas News: Nestlé Testing DiGiorno Pizza Kiosk in Fulbright Dining Hall
- Axios: Northwest Arkansas' population on track for a million by 2050
- Arkansas Business: Skyline Report: Northwest Arkansas commercial vacancy rate holds steady
- Axios: Northwest Arkansas commercial real estate remains balanced
- NWADGOnline: Booming commercial construction keeps pace with demand, Skyline Report says
- NWABusiness Journal.com: Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report
- ArkansasOnline:NWA's commercial real estate market continued to show strength in the second half of 2023
- KFSM: New report breaks down the difficult housing market in Northwest Arkansas
- Axios NW Arkansas: Skyline Report: Northwest Arkansas home sales and prices dip
- Yahoo.com: UA economist says there's not enough housing for the growing population in NWA
- Talk Business & Politics: Report: New builds dominate home sales in Northwest Arkansas
- NWADGOnline: Skyline report: NWA home sales continued to slip in 2023
- KNWA/Fox24: Report shows fewer homes being sold as rent prices increase
- 5NEWS Online:New report breaks down the difficult housing market in Northwest Arkansas
- Arkansas Business: Skyline Report: Northwest Arkansas Home Sales Down, Inventory Up
- ArkansasOnline: Skyline report: NWA home sales continued to slip in 2023
- Yahoo.com: Report shows fewer homes being sold as rent prices increase
- Economists: More Slow Growth Ahead — Steel, Lithium Industries Promise Economic Impact
- The Straits Times: U.S. Employers Add 275,000 Jobs in Another Strong Month
- The New York Times: U.S. Employers Add 275,000 Jobs in Another Strong Month
- KASU: Economist Mervin Jebaraj Discusses U.S. Economy, Interest Rates and Inflation
- The Seattle Times: U.S. employers add 275,000 jobs in another strong month
- CFO DIVE: Economists predict 2.2% GDP growth, outstripping prior 2024 forecast: NABE
- Marketplace.org : Business economists expect a soft landing in 2024
- Axios: Economists see much stronger 2024 growth: NABE survey
- Staffing Industry Analysts: US economic outlook sharply upgraded in NABE report
- Fox Business: Economists predict much stronger growth in 2024. Here's why
- Fior Reports : Business economists expect strong growth for 2024
- Talk Business & Politics: Arkansas economist said forecast show dirop in job creation for 2024
- Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Luxury apartments help even those who can’t afford them, says expert at University of Arkansas in Fayetteville
- KHBS: Northwest Arkansas business forecast luncheon predicts economic growth for the year
- Talkbusiness & Politics: Slower overall economic growth likely in 2024
- KNWA: Arkanas sees slow wage growth
- 40/29 News: Holiday shoppers buying and spending more in 2023
- MSN.com: Holiday shoppers buying and spending more in 2023
- UALR Public Radio: UA economist sees ‘soft landing’ for economy as a strong possibility
- ArkansasOnline: Arkansas' November unemployment rate rises to 3.3%
- Arkansas Online: Northwest Arkansas Food Bank serves critical need for children, families, advocates say
- CNBC: This recession indicator may be a 'borken odometer for the economy," expert says. Where forrecasts stand now
- KUAF: Measureing growth in Northwest Arkansas
- Investorideas.com: Hard landings recession predictions wrong
- ArkansasOnline: Northwest Arkansas's housing costs catch up to U.S
- Axios NWA: NWA sees economic growth, needs more housing
- Talk Business & Politics: UA economist provides positive outlook for Northwest Arkansas
- NWACouncil: Strong economic growth collides with rising housing costs, report finds of the Northwest Arkansas Region 2023
- Arkansas Business: State of the Northwest Arkansas Region 2023
- Arkanas Online: Region's network of trails can make you feel like a kid again
- KARK: Arkansas feminine hygiene products one step closer to becoming tax exempt
- Arkansas Business: State of NWA region, business analysis luncheon is Oct. 25
- 5NewsOnline: Affordable housing deemed important in Northwest Arkansas State of the Region meeting
- ArkansasOnline: Northwest Arkansas's housing costs catch up to U.S
- KNWA: UA economist explains possible economic impact of Israli-Hamas War
- Arkansas Online: Vote nears on plan for teacher housing
- Axios NWA: NWA's commercial real estate market is hot
- AxiosNWA: NWA sees economic growth, needs more housing
- Talk Business & Politics: UA economist provides positive outlook for Northwest Arkansas
- ArkansasOnline: Region's network of trails can make you feel like a kid again
- Arkansas Business: Higher Interest rates push down home sales in Northwest Arkanas
- NWAOnline: Greenland woman erases credit card debt, earns award
- NWAOnline: Greenland woman repairs credit, earns award while dealing with life's circumstances
- ArkansasOnline: High housing costs leaving Northwest Arkansans with less money for food, nonprofit groups say
- Talk Business & Politics: NWA commercial vacancy rises amid warehouse growth
- KNWA: Report: Commercial real estate market remains healthy, balanced
- NWAOnline: Report: Available Northwest Arkansas commercial space rose in first half of 2023
- Arkansas Business: Skyline Report: Commercial vacancy rises in Northwest Arkansas
- KNWA/Fox24: Potential governement shutdown loome over average Arkansans
- Our Community: Skyline Report: High interest rates hurt Northwest Arkansas home sales
- AXIOS NW Arkanas: Skyline Report: NWA housing is pricey and tough to find
- KNWA/Fox24: Report shows rising mortgage rates, low vacancies
- Talk Business & Politics: Skyline Report: High interest rates hurt Northwest Arkansas home sales
- NWAOnline: Federal student loan payments restart will broadly affect economy individuals specifically
- KFSM : Record-breaking number of sale of newly built homes in NWA
- ArkansasOnline: Mortgage rates slowing Northwest Arkansas home sales, report says
- NWAOnline: Federal student loan payments restart will broadly affect economy, individuals specifically
- ArkansasOnline: Panel discussion centers on housing
- ArkansasOnline: Student loan payments set to resume
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