ENGAGE Executive Speaker Series

Friday, September 23, 2011, Douglas Hall: UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business and the Business Alumni Association hosted the first ENGAGE Executive Speaker Night of the school year.

Distinguished guest speakers, alumni, and current students (both UIC graduate and undergraduate candidates) gathered outside of Douglas Hall at 5 pm, greeting new and familiar faces, while sampling drinks and appetizers. Alumni and current students coalesced to network, talk and hear about U.S. and Chicago-land economic developments.

Following the guided tours of the newly opened, LEED certified Douglas Hall, guests proceeded upstairs to hear Professor Robert Chirinko, Professor of Finance and Department Head, UIC, welcome, moderate, and set the stage for guest speakers: Bill Testa, Vice President and Director of Regional Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; Ezra Becker, Vice President Research and Consulting, TransUnion; and Dennis Vicchiarelli, Managing Director, World Business Chicago.

Each guest speaker added perspective and insight on the causes, state, and potential outlook of the U.S. and Chicago-land economies. Bill Testa spoke about the effect of real estate on consumer behavior. Ezra Becker (UIC LGSB Alumnus) discussed revisions on credit scoring. And Dennis Vicchiarelli (former UIC professor) presented on Chicago’s activities for keeping and building corporate relations with domestic and international firms.

The night concluded with a spirited Q&A session and informal after-panel mingling.