Headliners, Sessions Will Focus on Global Linkages
At Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Sept. 9-11

Key policymakers and prominent private analysts will focus on global linkages that play a critical role in the U.S. economy at NABE’s 49th annual meeting in San Francisco Sept. 9-11.

The official theme of “Global Integration, Competition, and Innovation” ties together issues ranging from immigration to global warming. Special receptions, a dinner cruise, and an evening reception at the Federal Reserve Bank’s impressive District headquarters are also part of the program. With a staff of more than 1,800 employees, the San Francisco Fed District covers nine states that account for 20 percent of the U.S. population.

In keeping with its long tradition, the annual meeting will offer NABE’s trademark general sessions with top policymakers and leading private economists, a host of concurrent sessions, and ample networking opportunities during special tours and receptions.

Early registration is underway for the three-day meeting, set for Sept. 9-11 at the Grand Hyatt, centrally located in the City by the Bay. Register by July 31 and save up to $100. Watch for the annual meeting brochure in the mail or download it here

Arrive early and enjoy a welcome reception early the evening of Saturday, Sept. 8.   Sign up for a dinner-dance cruise around San Francisco Bay aboard the Hornblower Cruises.  Sign up by July 31 to reserve your place on the cruise.

Yellen, Lazear Will Offer Their Perspectives

Janet Yellen, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and Edward Lazear, chairman of President Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers, are confirmed as headliner speakers.   Yellen will share her views from the perspective of the Fed as the first speaker the morning of Monday, Sept. 10.   Lazear is scheduled to follow her with his perspective as one of President Bush’s closest economic advisers.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will welcome annual meeting participants as the invited keynote luncheon speaker on Sunday, Sept. 9.  Often a politician who stirs controversy as his state leads the way on policy reforms, the Republican governor will touch on key issues of importance to both the largest state and the nation as a whole.

Stanford University economist John B. Taylor has been named the recipient of the Adam Smith Award, NABE’s highest honor. He will deliver the Adam Smith address at the luncheon on Monday, Sept. 10.  Arthur B. Kennickell, senior economist and head of the Federal Reserve Board’s Microeconomic Surveys Unit, will receive the Julius Shiskin Award for Economic Statistics during the meeting. Taylor and Carl Tannenbaum, current NABE president and chief economist, LaSalle Bank, ABN/AMRO, have been named Fellows by the Board of Directors and will also be honored at the meeting.  [Profiles of the honorees will appear in the August issue of NABE News.]

As outgoing president, Tannenbaum will give the 49th annual presidential address.  His title is:  “The Incredible Shrinking Bank Industry” and he will discuss profound changes in the industry and the impact of these changes on asset markets.  Newly elected officers and members of the Board of Directors will take office at the end of the annual meeting.
[See article in this issue on the election slate and balloting that will take place in June and July (link)] 

Catherine Mann, Brandeis University and the Peterson Institute for International Economics, is the chair of the annual meeting’s planning committee. Assisting her are Lynn Reaser, Bank of America; Gene Huang, FedEx Corp., and Chris Varvares, Macroeconomic Advisers.

 Annual meeting sessions will focus on:

• Immigration:  distinguishing facts from fault lines
• Economic challenges of global warming
• Housing trends in California and implications for nation
• Protecting intellectual property rights in digital, global economy
• Interplay of asset prices and consumer spending
• Economic issues facing U.S. defense industry
• Information technology and health care
• Military/security/political issues including large stock of U.S. treasury securities

You can register for a skills session, set for late morning on Sunday, Sept. 9, on “Communicate More Effectively—Inside and Outside Your Company.”  The instructor will video tape and replay interviews with three volunteers and then critique, offering observations on what the individuals could have done to have enhanced the interviews.  He will give tips for not only presentations to the media but also to general audiences.

Following the Sept. 9 luncheon address by Governor Schwarzenegger, you can choose from a series of concurrent sessions on topics that include:  the outlook for Europe, new European Union members and international competitiveness; the U.S. wine industry’s future and global markets; economic statistics; and immigration.

At the end of the day, you can join fellow NABE members and guests at a reception at Bank of America’s Carnelian Room – over looking the city’s skyline from the building’s 52nd floor.  

Small Dinners Offer Menu of a Dozen Topics

Back by demand, the small dinner event that evening offers an opportunity to enjoy dinner and a stimulating conversation at one of several of San Francisco’s top restaurants. You can choose from among a dozen dinner topics and leaders for the evening.

On Monday, Sept. 10, the sessions begin with headliners Yellen and Lazear, followed by a presentation of the latest NABE Outlook survey results.  Taylor will present the Adam Smith address at the luncheon.  Concurrent sessions that afternoon focus on international financial markets and prospects for U.S. regional trade negotiations.

Tannenbaum’s presidential address will complete the day’s sessions, followed by NABE’s business meeting and the reception at the Federal Reserve Bank.   That evening also includes an opportunity to join friends and colleagues for a 9/ll remembrance session.

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, the meeting’s final day, the focus will shift to transportation infrastructure, venture capital, business cycles, and security issues.   Hal Varian, co-author of a best-selling book on business strategy, will discuss a keynote address at the breakfast meeting.  The University of California, Berkeley professor’s book is “Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy.”

Hear the perspectives of Paul Allen (invited) , one of the founders of Microsoft, at the luncheon on Sept. 11.  He is chairman of Vulcan, Inc. and Charter Communications.

Immediately after the meeting ends, join a bus tour of the beautiful Napa Valley for dinner and sampling of the area’s famous wines.

Travel Information

Register at Grand Hyatt San Francisco, 345 Stockton Street, before Aug. 17 to receive the discounted room rate of $199 single/double. For room reservations phone 1-800-223-1234 or 1-415-398-1234 and mention NABE to receive the discounted rate. Discounted rates are good until Aug. 17, 2007 or until NABE's room block is filled. Register early as hotel rooms in San Francisco fill rapidly this time of year.
Find details of the annual meeting at: http://nabe.com/am2007/index.html

Register online at: https://secure.icglink.com/nabe/am07reg.html