INDEvents

Dr. Loren Scott Keynotes Annual Entree to Business Breakfast

by Walter Pierce

IberiaBank joins with Dwight Andrus Insurance as presenting co-sponsor for Scott's 2015 forecast for the state and the Acadiana region.

Photo by Robin May

Dwight Andrus Real Estate/Insurance: From left are Dwight Andrus IV, David Andrus, Lynsey Andrus Braniff, Dwight Andrus III, Adam Andrus, Reed Andrus and Ashley Andrus Babin.

Dr. Loren Scott is that rare economist who can transform a dry and boring topic like numbers into something informative and entertaining for an audience. No wonder the professor emeritus was a perennial fave among students while he was in the classroom at LSU, where he chaired the Econ Department for 13 years. He retired in 1998 to continue as a consultant and frequent "go-to" source for major national corporations, news sources from around the world, and to produce the Louisiana Econometric Model each fall. Former students and new fans alike flock to his annual presentations on trends in the state's economy.

Scott will bring his insight and expertise to Lafayette for the 11th annual Entree to Business Breakfast, slated for Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Cajundome Convention Center at 7:30 a.m. Dwight Andrus Insurance has sponsored this rite of fall since 2003. "Our family has been involved in insurance and commercial and residential development for 70 years," says Dwight Andrus III, the company's president and CEO. "These are businesses that rely on good data analysis to be successful. Dr. Scott's annual report provides us valuable insight as we plan for future generations. We hope other business decision-makers find his presentation helpful to the success of their businesses as well."

Joining Andrus as a presenting sponsor this year is IberiaBank. "This is an exciting time in Lafayette as we continue to experience job growth opportunities across a diverse range of industries," says Jerry Vascocu, IberiaBank's Acadiana president. "Our community continues to rank at the top nationally for economic and job growth, and we are excited to present this breakfast event where Dr. Scott will forecast the state's economy and how it impacts our important region."

Also new to the sponsor mix this year is Bo Billeaud, chief investment officer of Billeaud Capital Management. "The economic factors that drive investment decisions within BCM are global rather than local," says Billeaud, "but we understand the value of Dr. Scott's data for our clients and all local business owners as they plan for the success of their companies. As they grow, so does their need for our services."

Sustaining sponsors of the Entree to Business Breakfast include Turnkey Title and Escrow; The Acadiana Economic Development Council, this region's institutional development coalition from Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes; and Cane River Pecan Company, producers of custom-branded tins of choice, Louisiana-picked pecans for corporate gifting.

A copy of Dr. Scott's PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the ABiz website and distributed to ABuzz subscribers following the breakfast courtesy of Vidox Motion Imagery, the digital media sponsor.

This event is traditionally a sell-out, 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 phone at (337) 769-8603.