INDEvents

Entrée to Biz Breakfast is Back

Dr. Loren Scott returns Oct. 17 to share his 2014 Louisiana Economic Outlook at the 10th annual event, a joint-production of ABiz, MidSouth Bank and Andrus Insurance. Dr. Loren Scott is set to share his 2014 economic forecast for Acadiana and Louisiana on Oct. 17 for the 10th installment of Entrée to Business Breakfast, an annual production of ABiz, MidSouth Bank and Dwight Andrus Insurance.

Scott, professor emeritus of economics at LSU and co-developer of the Louisiana econometric model - used to provide annual forecasts of the Louisiana economy - delivers his Economic Outlook report in Lafayette each fall as an ABiz exclusive. Scott provides analysis and data-driven projections catered specifically to this area - a valuable informational tool for local business leaders preparing budgets and strategies for next year.

A testament to the value of Scott's insights for the local business community is the longtime commitment from co-sponsors Andrus Insurance and MidSouth Bank, as both companies have assisted ABiz in producing the annual event every year since its launch in 2003.

"Through the years, Dr. Scott's in-depth assessment of Acadiana's economy has become an invaluable tool for us, as well as clients who are looking to mitigate their business risks," says Dwight

Andrus Insurance's Dwight Andrus IV, Andy Andrus, David Andrus, Reed Andrus and Adam Andrus

Andrus III, CEO of Andrus Insurance. "I would encourage all decision-makers in the Acadiana area to take advantage of his insight as they plan for the future of their business."

Jennifer Fontenot, MidSouth Bank's regional retail manager, says Scott's prognostications help the bank's customers decide whether the timing is right for a number of key decisions they make about their businesses, particularly whether they should invest in hiring and expansion. "Scott also interviews local execs from bellwether companies, and we're always interested in hearing what these successful companies have planned and how they view the economy down the road," Fontenot says.

"With every monthly update that comes out about how our economy is faring, whether it's retail sales, home sales, rig counts, unemployment or the price of oil, people can get a general sense of the direction we're moving in," says Kevin Latiolais, regional president of MidSouth Bank's Lafayette and Opelousas markets. "But those indicators are only a monthly snapshot of the economy. What we get every year from Dr. Scott is an overview of how the overall economy is doing now and where it's headed over the next several years."

MidSouth Bank's Kevin Latiolais, Carolyn Lay and Troy Cloutier

Supporting sponsors include Cane River Pecans, which specializes in custom branded tins of choice Louisiana-picked pecans for corporate giving, and The Acadiana Economic Foundation, comprised of economic development experts from Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, Iberia, Vermilion and Acadia parishes. A copy of Dr. Scott's PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the ABiz website immediately following the breakfast, courtesy of Vidox Motion Imagery, the digital media sponsor.

The breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Hilton Lafayette. The event proves a sell-out every year, and tickets - priced individually at $50 per person or $450 for a premium reserved table of eight - go quickly. For more information or to order tickets, contact Robin Hebert via email at [email protected], or by calling (337) 769-8603.