A year ago, local economists were forecasting a decent 2011, with recovery of everything from the job to the housing markets. But then the Japanese tsunami, debt debacle in Congress and euro crisis hit, and the area saw a stagnation of the tentative progress that was being made.
This week, two conferences are expected to offer forecasts of what 2012 might bring.
On Thursday, the D.C. Building Industry Association is hosting a conference on the capital markets outlook, focusing on, among other issues, regional and national job growth in the commercial real estate sector, distressed assets and lending.
Speakers include Michael Sobolik, regional director of research for North America at Invesco Real Estate; Wendy Silverstein, executive vice president and co-head of acquisitions and capital markets at Vornado Realty Trust; Joseph Carter III, mid-Atlantic division manager for real estate at Wells Fargo; and Spencer G. Levy, executive managing director of CB Richard Ellis Capital Markets.
The conference is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. at the National Press Club,
529 14th St. NW in Washington.
On Friday, the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University plans to present its annual economic forecast for metropolitan Washington, focusing largely on jobs, housing and federal spending.
“I think what we’ll end up saying is that in 2012 a lot of underlining fundamentals are there, except in the housing market, so we need to get housing going for the economy to get going,” said John McClain, deputy director of the center. “Also, the area needs to diversify its portfolio and look at alternative growth drivers for the economy other than federal spending.”
Speakers include Neil Irwin, economics reporter at The Washington Post; Stephen S. Fuller, director of the center; and Lisa A. Sturtevant, assistant research professor at the university’s School of Public Policy.
The session is slated to start at 7:30 a.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean.
Other events of note
Tuesday, Jan. 10
The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce is holding a seminar on social media, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the group’s office, 8230 Old Courthouse Rd., Suite 350, in Vienna.
Wednesday, Jan. 11
Want to hone your sales skills? The Greater Washington Board of Trade is hosting an all-day sales training session beginning at 9 a.m. at the Key Bridge Marriott, 1401 Lee Hwy. in Arlington.
Thursday, Jan. 12
Rockville Economic Development Inc. plans a session on branding, set to begin at 10 a.m. at the group’s office, 95 Monroe St. in Rockville.
— V. Dion Haynes
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