By Gail Fagan
Texas Border Business
WHAT: 2016 Border Economics, Development and Entrepreneurship Symposium
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Embassy Suites Hotel, 800 Convention Center Blvd., McAllen
UTRGV, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, McAllen Chamber co-host symposium Nov. 9
McALLEN, TEXAS – NOV. 2, 2016 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Department of Economics and Finance in the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship (Vackar COBE) is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce to host the 2016 Border Economics, Development and Entrepreneurship Symposium (BEDES) on Nov. 9.
Theme for this year’s symposium is the economy and entrepreneurship.
· The luncheon keynote speaker will be Carlos M. Marin, Ph.D., P.E., founder and CEO of Ambiotec Engineering Group Inc. Marin will discuss the Binational Economic Development Zone and its role in promoting economic growth on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
· Keith Phillips, assistant vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch, will present an outlook on the Texas economy.
· Roberto Coronado, vice president in charge and senior economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch, will provide a labor market analysis.
The first of two roundtable discussions will feature the bank presidents of 12 regional banks, who will discuss their impressions of the local economy based on commercial and mortgage loan activity and other factors they have observed in their branches.
Another roundtable focused on entrepreneurship and innovation will include Dr. Theresa Maldonado, UTRGV senior vice president, Research, Innovation and Economic Development; Dr. Mark Kroll, dean of the UTRGV Vackar COBE; and two local inventors/entrepreneurs.
Attendees also will be able to view and discuss research by UTRGV students related to the border region’s economy. Student members of the UTRGV Economics Society will assist with the day’s proceedings.
Dr. Jorge Vidal, lecturer of finance and the symposium’s organizer, said the event provides community members as well as students an opportunity to learn more about the status of the area economy and to bring products invented to commercialization.
“Businesses and community leaders depend on relevant, accurate and timely information for better planning and strategic decisions,” Vidal said. “Our students will also benefit by being able to network with professionals and leaders in their prospective fields.”
To register, to view a complete agenda or for more information, go to www.utrgv.edu/bedes.
