Programmatic Spotlight- Economic Outlook Conference

I’m an economist at the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) here at Gatton. Most of my work focuses on applied economics—looking at labor markets, industries, and household economic conditions, especially here in Kentucky. These projects can help inform policymakers, business leaders, or community organizations. So, I spend a lot of time working on reports, presentations, and projects that connect academic research to Kentucky’s economy. 

 

That kind of work ties closely to events like the Economic Outlook Conference; it gives us an opportunity to share what we’re seeing in the data and put Kentucky’s economy in the context of broader trends.

 

I help with several parts of the conference—from developing content and preparing analysis to coordinating speakers and helping shape the topics we cover. We really try to focus on the issues people are paying attention to right now, whether that’s inflation, the labor market, or broader economic trends. One topic that really stood out to me this year was the discussion of how extreme weather events, emergency management, and investments in resilient infrastructure affect the economy. 

Our presenters discussed how economic conditions, infrastructure, and community preparedness are interconnected, and how planning for disruptions—whether natural disasters, supply chain interruptions, or economic shocks—is increasingly important in economic and public policy conversations.

 

The Economic Outlook Conference is a great event. One of the things that makes this conference valuable is that it brings together people from different perspectives. You have researchers, industry professionals, and individuals working at nonprofit and government entities all in the same room, which creates some really thoughtful conversations.