NEWS RELEASE

Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2006

Contact: Angie Joe
713.743.8153 (office)
713.617.7138 (pager)
ajoe@uh.edu

LONG-RANGE LOCAL, NATIONAL ECONOMIC CHALLENGES DISCUSSED DURING
UPCOMING SYMPOSIUM PRESENTED BY UH’S BARTON SMITH

During his much-anticipated bi-annual forecast, University of Houston economics professor and Director of the Institute for Regional Forecasting (IRF) Barton Smith will focus on long-range challenges to prosperity.

“Facing the Economic Challenges of the 21st Century” will be held Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Hilton Americas-Houston, 1600 Lamar, in Grand Ballroom A-F.

The event is sold out to the general public, but arrangements for media attendees can be made. Also, Smith will hold broadcast media interviews from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. at the Hilton in Room 230. Print reporters may request one-on-one interviews prior to or immediately following his presentation. Contact Angie Joe at
713-743-8153 or ajoe@uh.edu for more information.

Smith will discuss the extent to which the national and regional economies are following past IRF forecasts and will restate his expectations for 2007. He will look beyond the immediate future and examine long-range issues including energy scarcity, immigration, international turmoil and the multi-faceted challenges the nation and Houston will face as retiring baby boomers exit the labor market.

“Regarding short-term economic forecasts, we’ll emphasize energy prices, interest rates and overall inflation,” he said. “We’ll also examine how the national and local housing market corrections are progressing.”

Houston and the nation will face a host of long-term challenges, according to Smith. His symposium will focus on energy dependency, international unrest and the U.S. savings deficit. In addition, he will recap a study on Houston’s educational needs in light of the new demands for labor in the 21st century.

Smith has conducted numerous studies on urban issues, housing, transportation and the environment. During the past 15 years, he has gained national recognition for his analyses of the Houston economy and real estate markets. Smith wrote “Handbook on the Houston Economy” and continues to present and publish two symposium reports a year on Houston’s economy and real estate markets. For more information, go to http://www.uh.edu/irf/index.htm.

ABOUT THE EVENT:

WHO: Barton Smith, UH professor of economics and director of the UH Institute for Regional Forecasting
WHAT: “Facing the Economic Challenges of the 21st Century”
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006
Broadcast Media availability: 10:45 – 11:15 a.m., Room 230
Luncheon: 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., Grand Ballroom A-F
Presentation: 12:20 to 1:30 p.m., Grand Ballroom A-F
WHERE: Hilton Americas-Houston, 1600 Lamar

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.