(Carson, CA) From shifts in manufacturing and the new industries emerging as a result of COVID-19, to how local industries may recover after a massive economic blow, California State University, Dominguez Hills’ 2020-21 South Bay Economic Forecast virtual conference on Oct. 1 will provide an in-depth assessment of South Bay industries and markets, and discuss the potential for a rebound by mid-2021.
The 6th Annual South Bay Economic Forecast virtual conference and reception will take place Thursday, Oct. 1, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. To register and for more information, visit https://www.csudh.edu/ economic-forecast/.
Titled “Adapting to Change: Surviving and Thriving During Disruption,” the conference will include presentations by CSUDH economics and public policy professors and a panel discussion with regional industry experts about how business is adapting to the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has caused. Frank Mottek, anchor for KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO will serve as emcee and panel moderator.
The featured panelists will all be together, socially distanced, in the CSUDH University Theatre. Their live broadcast will be streamed to attendees. To further re-create a traditional conference environment, the virtual format creates a simulated ballroom, with attendees “seated” at tables.
A virtual reception will take place after the conference from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Attendees will be able to mingle in the simulated ballroom and chat with panelists and each other.
CSUDH developed the South Bay Economic Forecast conference six years ago to provide a focused look at the current state of the region’s economy and forecast for the coming year. This year, for the first time, the university’s South Bay Economics Institute (SBEI) produced the forecast report, which is framed around the COVID-19 outbreak, lockdown, and the recession.
“The South Bay economy has taken a massive hit, with hospitality, personal services, entertainment, and the government sector being especially affected given the unprecedented and evolving nature of the pandemic,” said Fynnwin Prager, assistant professor of business administration at CSUDH and co-director of the SBEI. “In the report, we are cautious about projecting too far into the future; however, many forecasters expect GDP to reach pre-COVID-19 levels by mid-2021 and employment to catch up the following year. We are optimistic about the ability of our dynamic and diverse South Bay businesses to find ways to innovate and adapt, to survive and thrive coming out of the recession.”
Conference Panel Details:
South Bay Economic Panel and Q&A:
- Fynnwin Prager, co-director of the SBEI: U.S. and California forecast supply chain, and foreign trade.
- Jose Martinez, co-director of the SBEI: housing and labor markets.
- Jennifer Brodmann, assistant professor of finance: innovation and opportunities, entrepreneurial analysis.
Adapting to Change Panel and Q&A:
- Sam Polk, CEO of Everytable, a social enterprise on a mission to transform the food system to make delicious and healthy food affordable and accessible to everyone, everywhere. Topic: The Future of Food.
- Dana Finding, B2B product management and strategy for Route, a mobile app that that enables customers to automatically visually track packages anywhere, and merchants with visual order tracking, package protection, effortless claim-filing, and the world’s first universal order history. Topic: e-commerce, immersive technologies, and digital transformation.
- Victor Parker, deputy associate administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration: Topic: Small Business Resiliency.
