FGCU presents economic forum Feb. 13

GRIMES Florida Gulf Coast University invites the public to attend the free Southwest Florida Financial and Economic Forum on current financial and economic challenges facing Southwest Floridians, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 13, in the Student Union ballroom.

The Forum focuses on how Southwest Floridians can best prepare for and make a wide range of financial decisions.

The program features brief presentations by the Forum's esteemed panel of experts followed by an extensive and interactive question and answer session, hosted and moderated by David Plazas, community conversation editor at The News-Press.

Denny Grimes, president of Denny Grimes & Company, discusses and fields questions about the current conditions and future outlook for the Southwest Florida real estate market.

Gary L. Jackson, director of the Regional Economic Research Institute and assistant professor of economics in the FGCU Lutgert College of Business, discusses and fields questions about the outlook for the Southwest Florida economy.

PLAZAS David Morgan is senior vice president of investments, and Southwest Florida Complex manager overseeing Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties for Raymond James and Associates. He discusses and fields questions about how to approach making investment and portfolio decision within the context of the current financial environment.

Ginny Yates, consultant for PrimePlus, the elder-care services division of Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, discusses and fields questions regarding the financial aspects of longevity flexible plans in place, and the implications of the current and anticipated economic environment may have on elder care decisions.

The event begins with continental breakfast at 9 a.m. and includes snacks and refreshments served throughout the morning.

For information and directions, visit www. fgcu.edu/cob/wachovia.