CERF Economic Forecast Seminar

CERF Executive Director Bill Watkins will present the "Ventura County Economic Forecast." Robert "Jake" Jacobs of Winds of Change Group will discuss "Real Time Strategic Action: Getting Bottom Line Business Results in the Current Economy." Tim Gallagher, president of Gallagher 20/20 Consulting, will present "Say Anything: Why California is Like a John Cusack Film."

Launched in 2009, CERF provides local, state and national forecasts for government, business and nonprofit leaders throughout the country. Watkins, who has a doctorate in economics, was the executive director of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project for nine years and also served as an economist with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C. He has been widely published in academic journals, traditional media and new media, and he and his team are quoted regularly by many news organizations including the Wall Street Journal, NBC, Fox Business Network, Forbes and Bloomberg News.

Jacobs is a pioneer in the field of large group interventions, finding better ways for people and organizations to change. He has worked with some of the largest corporations in the world including American Express, Ford and The Home Depot and supported major change efforts with the City of New York, the United States National Forest Service and the Environmental Protection Agency. He has written several books including Real Time Strategic Change: How to Involve an Entire Organization in Fast and Far-Reaching Change.

Gallagher is a public relations consultant, writer and speaker. He specializes in helping businesses build their reputations as a means to growth. He spent 30 years in the newspaper business, beginning his career as a reporter for the Albuquerque Tribune. He is the former publisher and editor of the Ventura County Star.

Registration, 7:30 a.m.; seminar, 8 - 11 a.m. Online registration, $175; registration at the door, $195. The cost includes breakfast, the presentation and a copy of the full forecast on CD. Lundring Events Center is located in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center.