Center for Business & Economic Research

Located in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, the Center provides applied economic and business research to federal, state, and local government, as well as to businesses currently operating or those that desire to operate in the state of Arkansas. The Center further works to improve the economic opportunities of all Arkansans by conducting policy research in the public interest.


31st Annual Arkansas Business Forecast Luncheon

2024 Business Forecast  Header

Join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025 at the Rogers Convention Center in the World Trade Center District in Rogers, Arkansas.

Of note: This year’s luncheon will be preceded by a networking event for the speakers and attendees. All luncheon ticket holders are welcome to participate in the networking event with their fellow attendees from 10:45 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. in the Rogers Convention Center.

The cost of the luncheon program is $95 for an individual and $950 for a table of 10. Preregistration by Friday, January 24, is required. Reservations can be made for the luncheon by registering below or by calling 479-575-4151.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. To register, please use the button below or call 479-575-4151. 

Register Here

 

2025 Business Forecast Speakers

The 31st edition of the Arkansas Business Forecast Luncheon will feature the following lineup of speakers:

Moderator: Rupal Pollack, chief executive officer, Walton Enterprises.

Global Forecaster: Dana Peterson, chief economist and leader of the
Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board

Domestic Forecaster:  Sam Khater, vice president, chief economist at
 Freddie Mac’s Economic & Housing Research department

State and Regional ForecasterMervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research.

View speakers detailed biographies below.

Individual tickets are $95 each. Tables are $950 for a table of 10. Pre-registration is required. Reservations can be made by registering online or by calling 479-575-4151. For sponsorships opportunities,  please call our office or complete the Business Forecast Sponsor Packet. Thank you to our 2025 Business Forecast Sponsors.

 

Thank you to 2025 Business Forecast Luncheon Sponsors!

 

 

 

Details about sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information contact

Center for Business and Economic Research
CBER-WCOB-JBHT 404
Sam M. Walton College of Business
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
PH: (479) 575-4151

State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report Presentation Slides

2024 State of the Region Report

Mervin Jebaraj, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, will present the Quarterly Business Analysis.The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, in collaboration with the Northwest Arkansas Council, will release the annual State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report. This highly anticipated event will provide valuable insights on the economic climate and future growth prospects for the Northwest Arkansas region. 

First published in 2011, the State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report is amoung the best measures of the area’s economy, comparing peers such as Madison, Wis.; Raleigh, N.C.; Provo-Orem, Utah; Des Moines, Iowa; and Austin, Texas.

 

Mervin Jebaraj

Join us from 11:30 am to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Fayetteville Town Center, 15 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

To register: Please  follow the registration link below.

Of note: Registration and networking will begin at 11:00 am. All luncheon ticket holders are welcome to participate in the networking event with their fellow business and community leaders. 

 

Mervin Jebaraj


The cost of the luncheon is $50 for an individual or $500 for a table of 10. To register, please use the registration button below or call 479-575-4151. Preregistration by Friday, October 18, 2024, is required.

Register Here


For questions or other registration options,  please call 479-575-4151.

Thank you for support of our outreach programs and efforts. No refunds will be provided, but substitutions are encouraged. For further questions and inquiries please contact cber@walton.uark.edu

June 2024 Quarterly Business Analysis Luncheon

Presentation Slides

Mervin Jebaraj, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, will present the Quarterly Business Analysis.

 

Mervin Jebaraj

 

Join us from 12:00pm to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1325 N Palak Drive, Fayetteville. 

To register, please visit the Quarterly Business Analysis webpage or follow the registration link below. Preregistration by Friday, May 31, is required.

Of note: Registration and networking will begin at 11:30am. All luncheon ticket holders are welcome to participate in the networking event with their fellow business and community leaders. 

For questions or other registration options,  please call 479-575-4151.

 

Mervin Jebaraj
The luncheon brings community leaders together to discuss new economic data.

 

The Quarterly Business Analysis program builds networks of leaders from business, academic and governmental sectors. The program will discuss how updated economic growth projections, inflation expectations, the Federal Reserve’s current monetary stance in interest rates, and its impact on housing and commercial real estate.

Please call 479-575-4151 for registration

 

Thank you for support of our outreach programs and efforts. For further questions and inquiries please contact cber@walton.uark.edu.

Economic Data

Find economic statistics from national, Arkansas, and specific metropolitan areas.

View the Data

Our Staff

Do you wish to contact someone from the Center for Business and Economic Research?

View Staff Listing