As a venue designed to provide business leaders with an understanding of the state's economy and national trends, the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented the third annual South Dakota Economic Outlook Seminar the 27th of October in Sioux Falls.

 

This year's agenda included Dr. Ralph Brown, USD professor emeritus and chief advisor to the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council, speaking on South Dakota and local economic projections, as well as a comparison to past recessions; a look at the local real estate market was presented by Barton Hacker, Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire, and Sioux Falls real estate leader Michael Bender; Ron Eidshaug, Vice President of Congressional and Public Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce offered a review of national issues that impact business; and, keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Wright, Nef Family Chair of Political Economy at Augustana College, addressed the nation’s financial crisis.

 

More than 150 business and community leaders from across South Dakota attended the function and left with a better understanding of what is driving our economy.  

 

Fred Slunecka, Regional President of Avera McKennan Hospital and Founding Chairman of the Economic Outlook Seminar program, stated “In this time of economic uncertainty, providing quality speakers on important topics fits the South Dakota Chamber’s mission to serve its members, as well as the statewide business community.” 

Slunecka is also the immediate past chair of the South Dakota Chamber Board of Directors.

 

The seminar was sponsored by Avera Health, Avera McKennan Hospital, First Premier Bank, Forward Sioux Falls and Sanford Health, all of Sioux Falls and Gary Brown of Rapid City.  The event was hosted locally by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.