The Arkansas Economic Development Institute at UA-Little Rock is partnering with the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for the 2025 Arkansas Economic Forecast Luncheon, scheduled for November 6. The event will be held at the Clinton Presidential Center, located at 1200 President Clinton Avenue in Little Rock. Lunch will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the main program from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Attendees will gain insights into current economic dynamics through presentations on national, regional, and state-level trends. Featured speakers include B. Ravikumar, Kathleen Navin, and Michael Pakko. Ravikumar, who has served as senior vice president and deputy director of research at the St. Louis Fed since 2011, will present an overview of global and national economic conditions. Navin, a senior economist and member of the National Association for Business Economics, will analyze regional economic developments. Pakko, serving as chief economist and state forecaster at the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, will deliver projections specific to Arkansas’s economic future.
Pakko expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting this marks his 17th participation in the annual forecast event. He highlighted the inclusion of international economic analysis as particularly timely, enhancing the relevance of the discussions. Matuschka Lindo Briggs, senior vice president and regional executive at the St. Louis Fed’s Little Rock Branch, will moderate a panel discussion and Q&A session. Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance during registration.
Registration must be completed by November 3. The luncheon is free of charge and open to the public.
— news from University of Arkansas at Little Rock
— News Original —
Arkansas Economic Development Institute at UA-Little Rock to be part of Arkansas Economic Forecast Luncheon
The Arkansas Economic Development Institute at UA-Little Rock will join the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for the 2025 Arkansas Economic Forecast Luncheon on Nov. 6. n nThe event will take place at the Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Ave., in Little Rock, with lunch served at 11 a.m. The program will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. n nThe event will provide insight into the current state of the economy through discussions on economic trends, issues, and developments. Speakers include B. Ravikumar, Kathleen Navin, and Michael Pakko. n nRavikumar has served as the senior vice president and deputy director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis since May 2011. He will discuss national and global economic conditions. n nNavin is a senior economist and an active member of the National Association for Business Economics. She will address regional economic conditions. n nPakko, chief economist and state economic forecaster at the Arkansas Economic Development Institute at UA-Little Rock, will speak about Arkansas’ economic outlook. n n“I’m very pleased to be partnering with the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis again this year,” Pakko said. “This will be the 17th annual forecast event that I’ve participated in, and it’s shaping up to be one of the best yet. With the addition of a speaker addressing the international economic situation, this conference promises to be of particular relevance for today’s issues.” n nMatuschka Lindo Briggs, senior vice president and regional executive of the Little Rock Branch of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, will moderate a panel discussion and Q&A session after the presentation. Attendees may submit questions in advance during the registration process. n nRegistration for this luncheon is due by Nov. 3. This is a free event.