Current Conference

Trials and Tribulations of Perpetuating the Expansion

Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Location: Auditorium @ Centennial Hall
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Georgia State University
100 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
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Speakers

Rajeev Dhawan,
- Carl R. Zwerner Chair of Economic Forecasting
- Director, Economic Forecasting Center, Georgia State University
Conrad S. Ciccotello,
- Director/Professor, Reiman School of Finance
Eric C. Thompson,
- Karl H. Nelson Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Bureau of Business Research, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mark Woodworth,
- Senior Managing Director, CBRE Hotels Americas Research

Conference Program

8:00 a.m.	Registration & Coffee
8:30 a.m.	Words of Welcome	Richard D. Phillips Dean J.Mack Robinson College of Business
8:40 a.m.	“Estate Planning in the Era of Defined Contribution Retirement Plans” One can pass away with significant assets remaining in a defined contribution (DC) retirement plan such as a 401k, 403b, or an IRA. As retirees move through the distribution phase of their DC plan (typically post age 59), the challenges of choosing an appropriate estate planning strategy grow increasing important. Not only must DC plan retirees evaluate their income needs and investment strategy, they must also select beneficiaries or anther asset transfer mechanism for the assets that may remain in the plan after their death. Clarity about income needs impacts both investment and estate planning strategy. The presentation will focus on choice architecture and advisory approaches to DC plan estate planning using several “representative” types of participants. Several themes emerge including the benefits of default provisions, the dangers of failing to understand asset transfer mechanisms, the impacts of inertia with regard to beneficiary designations, the tension between income tax efficiency and control, and the challenges that face unmarried/widowed individuals.	Conrad S. Ciccotello Director/Professor Reiman School of Finance
9:05 a.m	“Open markets: Will trade frictions delay the recovery of Midwest agriculture?” With commodity prices beginning to bottom open, 2018 was set to be a point of inflection for Midwest agriculture. With little potential for higher prices, the region was hoping to expand sales through meeting the demand of a growing middle class in China and throughout Asia. Trade frictions, if if resolved amicably, have the potential further open markets to agricultural goods, but may also provide an opportunity for overseas competitors to capture a large share of consumption.	Eric C. Thompson Karl H. Nelson Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Bureau of Business Research University of Nebraska-Lincoln
9:30 a.m	“First Watch on a Long Voyage: U.S. Lodging Industry Update" The U.S. lodging industry is nearing its 8th consecutive year of expansion with record occupancy levels being realized annually since 2016. What have been the key drivers of demand growth, and are the factors that have led to previous cyclical downturns looming on the horizon?	Mark Woodworth Senior Managing Director CBRE Hotels Americas Research
9:55 a.m.	Q & A
10:10 a.m.	Refreshments Break
10:30 a.m.	Reconvene
10:40 a.m.	Forecast of the Nation, State and Region Rajeev Dhawan delivers his keynote presentation on the economic outlook of the United States, Georgia and the Atlanta Metro Region. Join us as he shares his views on the state of the global economy as well as employment and consumption trends and their impact on industry in Georgia. He will discuss, in particular, the implications for residential and commercial real estate in the Atlanta Metro Region.	Rajeev Dhawan Carl R. Zwerner Chair of Economic Forecasting Director Economic Forecasting Center J. Mack Robinson College of Business
12:00 p.m.	Q & A and Conclusion
12:15 p.m.	Light Lunch & Networking