By Cal Lutheran NewsTHOUSAND OAKS, CALIF., Feb. 13, 2024 — Ventura County’s economy is contracting, according to recently released GDP data. Because economic growth creates rising standards of living and greater economic mobility, it is critical to make the case for economic growth in the region. In response, “The Case For Growth” was chosen as the theme for the 2024 Ventura County Economic Forecast event on Feb. 28, presented by California Lutheran University’s Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF).
Attendees will learn valuable insights into Ventura County’s economy, the state’s and the nation’s. Featured speaker David Bahnsen — a nationally recognized economist, wealth manager and commentator — will discuss why economic growth is imperative for prosperity and for people to flourish. Networking for attendees will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the forecast event from 9–11 a.m., at the Scherr Forum Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.
“Having David speak broadly about economic growth and the macroeconomy will add another layer of understanding to the forecast,” said Matthew Fienup, Ph.D., CERF executive director. “His high-level insights will have special relevance in Ventura County given the economic weakness that the county has experienced since 2007.”
Fienup will release this year’s forecast publication and provide in-depth analysis of the county’s economic and demographic performance and the role of local and regional policies in shaping growth. He will also present CERF’s award-winning economic forecasts for California and the United States.
“The CERF team spends countless hours poring over leading economic indicators to construct a comprehensive economic picture of the future,” said Dr. Gerhard Apfelthaler, dean of the School of Management at Cal Lutheran. “David engrosses his audiences while sharing technical information, which will make the forecast information even more impactful for attendees.”
Bahnsen is an economist, portfolio manager, author and TV commentator. He’s also the founder of the Bahnsen Group, a bi-coastal wealth management company. In addition to having authored five books, including, “There’s No Free Lunch: 250 Economic Truths” and “Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life,” Bahnsen hosts the weekly Capital Record podcast and is a frequent guest on CNBC, Fox Business and Bloomberg TV.Tickets are $95 purchased in advance or at the door. A VIP reception with Bahnsen will be held at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard from 6–8 p.m. on Feb. 27.
Tickets for the VIP reception are $195 and include a forecast event ticket and signed copy of Bahnsen’s new book, “Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life” (Post Hill Press, 2024). The economic forecast event is free with a Cal Lutheran ID. Anyone wishing to attend can purchase tickets at the 2024 Ventura County Economic Forecast Event page.
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About California Lutheran University: Founded in 1959 and formally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016, California Lutheran University is home to over 2,300 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students. Our students come from 59 countries and represent a wide spectrum of faiths and spirituality. Our dedicated, accomplished faculty teach in small classes, guiding our students as they grow into open-minded leaders who are strong in character and judgment, confident in identity andvocation, and committed to service and justice. Everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping each student pursue their passions, discover their purpose and transform their community. Learn more at CalLutheran.edu.
About the Center for Economic Research & Forecasting (CERF): CERF is a nationally recognized economic forecasting house. CERF economists Matthew Fienup and Dan Hamilton are members of the Wall Street Journal Economic Forecasting Survey, the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Economic Outlook and Economic Policy Surveys and the Zillow (formerly Case-Shiller) Home Price Expectations Survey. CERF was the recipient of 2019, 2020 and 2021 Crystal Ball Awards for the Zillow Home Price Survey. CERF’s U.S. home price forecast received multiple top-three rankings among more than 100 professional forecasts. CERF seeks to be a solutions-oriented organization, providing world-class economic forecast publications, analyzing the effects of economic policies and working with diverse stakeholders to address the major economic challenges of the day.
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