AFMA To Sponsor Annual Economic Outlook

Furniture World Magazine

The American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA) will look into the economic future in December at the Association's annual Economic Outlook Conference. The meeting will be held on December 9, 1998 at The Park Hotel in Charlotte, NC. The Economic Outlook Conference is held to examine what's on the horizon for the furniture industry as well as the national economy for the upcoming year. Discussion sessions addressing these issues will be led by recognized experts in both the furniture and financial industries. Dr. Saul Hymans of the University of Michigan will discuss the national economy and the impact on the furniture industry. Dr. Hymans serves as AFMA's econometric forecasting consultant. As the Director of Research of the Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, Hymans is responsible for RSQE's Macro Model of the United States Economy. Delos R. Smith, Senior Business Analyst for The Conference Board, will present "A New Direction? Historical Change? What's Coming?" Smith has conducted briefings at major corporations, colleges and universities and trade associations across the United States. Timothy Cropper, Vice President and Retail Credit Manager of The CIT Group will present "What's Ahead for Furniture and Retail?" Cropper is responsible for analyzing, reviewing and approving retail credit at The CIT Group. John Baugh, Managing Director of Wheat First Union will close the seminar with his presentation "Furniture Retailing - An Analyst's View." Baugh follows the furniture and floor coverings industries and publishes The Furniture Quarterly, The Monthly Furniture Retail Report, and The Floorcovering Compendium as well contributing columns to other leading trade publications. In addition to these presentations, Joseph Logan, Director of Finance and Economic Research for AFMA, will present "The Furniture Industry Forecast." The Division will also recognize the Forecaster of the Year. Each year at the Conference, an award is given to the meeting participant who most accurately predicted certain economic indicators at the prior year's conference. Registration materials for this popular and informative conference have been sent to AFMA member companies. For registration information, interested parties should contact Gail Stricklin in the AFMA High Point office at (336) 884-5000.