Economic Outlook Conference

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor:
Bank of America

Our Economic Outlook

Economic jitters are heightened in this year with the presidential election as well as increased market fluctuations and international unrest. On Oct. 2, we’ll hear global, national and local perspectives on where we’re heading.

The Swain Center partnered with the WilmingtonBiz Expo & Conference to present our Economic Outlook Conference as a part of the Keynote Lunch. For further event details, visit the WilmingtonBiz conference page.

Tom Barkin

President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Tom serves on the Fed’s chief monetary policy body, the Federal Open Market Committee, and is also responsible for bank supervision and the Federal Reserve’s technology organization. He is “on the ground” continually in the Fed’s Fifth District, which covers South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, D.C., West Virginia, and Maryland. His engagement in the region has brought real attention to areas facing economic challenges.

Prior to joining the Richmond Fed, Tom was a senior partner and CFO at McKinsey & Company, a worldwide management consulting firm, where he also oversaw McKinsey’s offices in the southern United States.

Ben Shoesmith

Senior Economist, KPMG

Ben Shoesmith is a senior economist with KPMG LLP. His primary role at KPMG is to monitor and analyze economic indicators with a particular focus on international economics. By closely examining economic developments, Ben provides analysis and insights to the KPMG Economics team, enabling firm leadership and clients to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving economic landscape and effectively manage economic risks.​

While Ben's expertise covers various aspects of the domestic macro economy, he has developed a specialization in international economics, with a specific focus on Southeast Asia. His in-depth knowledge of this region allows him to offer unique perspectives and guidance to KPMG's clients. ​

Mouhcine Guettabi

Regional Economist, UNCW's Swain Center

Mouhcine Guettabi joined UNCW in August 2021 and is serving as both an Associate professor as well as the area’s regional economist.

Before joining UNCW, he was an associate professor of economics at the University of Alaska Anchorage. On the academic front, he is an applied microeconomist, with his recently published research being found in some of the leading economic journals such as the Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, and the Journal of Regional Science. In addition to his academic work, during his time at UAA, he regularly produced economic forecasts, analyzed the state's finances, conducted analysis on key policy issues, and testified in front of the legislature.

The Swain Center has proudly hosted the Economic Outlook Conference since 2016

Outlook Keynote Lunch at the WilmingtonBiz Expo

2023 - Our Economic Outlook

• 2023 WilmingtonBiz Expo & Conference event page
• "Top Economists Share Outlook On Cape Fear Region And Beyond"-WilmingtonBiz 
• Our Economic Outlook Panel Video
• National Outlook Video
• Regional Outlook Video

2022 - Going Places

• 2022 WilmingtonBiz Expo & Conference event page 
• "Experts Share Insights On Economy, Region at Conference And Expo" - WilmingtonBiz

2021 - A Time for Agility

• 2021 WilmingtonBiz Expo & Conference Event page
• Economic Outlook Conference "A Time for Agility" video

Outlook Conference Remote

2020 - From Crisis to Opportunity

• Outlook Online open session video