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2019 Los Angeles Business Journal Economic Forecast & Trends
The Los Angeles Business Journal was excited to host the 2019 Economic Forecast & Trends event at the City Club LA on Tuesday, January 22nd.
The eventful morning featured a pair of lively panel discussions featuring leading experts on the hottest topics on the minds of LA area businesses leaders at the start of this year. It was stimulating look back at what made the headlines in 2018 and deep dive into how the economy might be impacted this coming year.
Our amazing group of panelists and moderators examined the issues as they shared their experiences and predictions for the year to come. The panels this year focused on the hot-button topics of Tax Reform; Real Estate; and Economic Markets & Access to Capital.
Attendees had the opportunity to learn from and engage with some of the region’s leading business minds in the following discussions:
Tax Reform Update:
Moderated by Michael Amerio of Lucas Horsfall, this panel made up of David Erard of Armanino, Dean Joaquin of RSM, Craig Morris of KPMG, and Kenneth Tindall of CBIZ cut to heart of the recent tax reform initiatives and how they are currently and will ultimately impact our businesses in Los Angeles. It’s a topic that continues to be on the minds of all business leaders, and the panel explored the latest implications of tax reform and how some industries potentially benefit more than others. The experts also tackled some of the other big questions businesses are asking such as whether or not individual states are conforming to the new tax rules and what the biggest issues are that companies should be concerned with.
Real Estate:
Moderated by Jim Kruse of DPI Retail, panelists Martin Griffiths of KPMG, Laurie Lustig-Bower of CBRE and James Malone of Colliers International helped to define 2019’s issues and the outlook for the immediate future of real estate. Issues were discussed with up-to-the-minute expertise, including the group’s thoughts on topics ranging from the continuing growth boom downtown to legislative issues to the latest market trends in this ever evolving category.
Economic Markets & Access to Capital:
Moderated by Jennifer Post of Thompson Coburn LLP, this insightful dialogue with Parkview Financial’s Paul Rahimian, Covington Capital Management’s Todd J. Walklett, and City National Bank’s Brent Williams provided an opportunity for these fiscal thought leaders to share information on a number of helpful factors, such as the evolving diversity of economic markets, growth areas in lending, trends for the availability of (or access to) capital, and the latest on the financial landscape overall.
SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
MICHAEL AMERIO – Lucas Horsfall
DAVID ERARD – Armanino
MARTIN GRIFFITHS – KPMG
DEAN JOAQUIN – RSM US LLP
JAMES KRUSE – DPI Retail
LAURIE LUSTIG-BOWER – CBRE
JAMES MALONE – Colliers International
CRAIG MORRIS – KPMG
JENNIFER POST – Thompson Coburn LLP
PAUL RAHIMIAN – Parkview Financial
KENNETH TINDALL – CBIZ MHM
TODD J. WALKLETT – Covington Capital Management
BRENT WILLIAMS – City National Bank
Inside this supplement:
Multifamily Development Remains Strong
Over the last ten years, we have seen a consistent increase in multifamily development projects and apartment building construction. However, despite an increase in supply, the valuation of multifamily assets still continues to rise… Read More
Labor Shortages Pose Long-Term Challenge for Middle Market
At 3.7 percent, U.S. unemployment is at its lowest level in 30 years. Jobless claims are near a 50-year low, and the number of employed adults is at an all-time high. This should be good news, and for many households it is… Read More
Port of Long Beach Embarks on Monumental Year
The Port of Long Beach is indeed embarking on what is shaping up to be a monumental year. Moderate cargo growth is anticipated through 2019 as the nation’s second-busiest seaport achieves major milestones on projects that will bolster economic development, increase reliability of service and improve air quality for decades to come… Read More
Real Estate Deals Gone Wrong: A Look at the Issues
When faced with litigation stemming from real estate deals gone wrong, oftentimes disputes focus on three key issues: enforceability of liquidated damage provisions, letters of intent and whether representations and warranties survive the close of escrow and can be used to limit the time within which claims may be made… Read More
Tax Law Changes You’ll be Using First in 2019
The calendar has turned to 2019 and it’s the first time to use the provisions passed in 2017 to apply to taxes in 2018. Here are reminders about some of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act required for the 2018 returns now being prepared… Read More
Four Ways Tax Reform Will Affect 2019
Year one under the new tax law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) brings significant changes for 2018 individual and business tax filings. Businesses are still processing the effects of the TCJA in 2019, particularly its potential ramifications on long-term planning… Read More
Opportunity Zones to Change the L.A. Landscape
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act promises immense implications for commercial real estate investment over the next decade, particularly in Los Angeles County. Having created a national community investment program that seeks to connect private capital with underinvested communities called… Read More
Los Angeles County Economy Averaged 5,000 Job Additions Per Month in 2018
If last year’s statistics are anything to go by, 2019 looks good in terms of increasing employment levels for Los Angeles county. Civilian employment increased by 6,000 to 4,932,000 in December 2018. The civilian labor force increased by 10,000 over the month to 5,179,000 in December 2018. All of these figures are seasonally adjusted… Read More
Businesses Anticipate Continued Growth in 2019
Most small and midsize U.S. businesses have a positive outlook for the domestic economy and expect their business to continue growing this year, according to the annual JPMorgan Chase ‘Business Leaders Outlook’ report released earlier this month… Read More
