EOC Program Details

Unlock the Mysteries of an Uncertain Economy
at NFPA’s 2008 Economic Outlook Conference (EOC)
Let NFPA hand you the key to a dynamic experience that includes market forecasts and hard data for strategic planning from expert analysts. This day and a half event offers presentations on micro and macroeconomic topics, targeted specifically to the fluid power supply chain. Participate in multiple networking opportunities during the day and continue your conversations at the “Power of Association” networking dinner.

Keynote:

Seven Revolutions: Global Trends Facing the World
Erik Peterson, Center for Strategic & International Studies
Peterson examines the long-term implications of seven global trends that will effect change out to the year 2025, providing a comprehensive outline of the major challenges that lie ahead. Peterson’s discussion encompasses;
• Population,
• Resource Management,
• Technology Innovation and Diffusion,
• Information and Knowledge Creation and Dissemination,
• Economic Integration,
• Conflict,
• and Governance,
encouraging conference attendees to consider the affects these revolutionary forces have on their business.

Peterson will use his extensive experience with domestic and international trends to establish the environment for investigating a variety of market research on the macro-forces that will affect the future of fluid power.

Speakers:

Fluid Power Customer Markets Overview
Eli Lustgarten, ESL Consultants Inc.
Lustgarten has been a longtime EOC speaker and shares his insights into many of the fluid power’s most important customer markets, including agriculture, construction, power generation, aerospace, on-highway, automotive, packaging, machine tool and plastics. Eli also presents his own fluid power market forecast.

Fluid Power Market Forecast
Jim Meil, Eaton Corporation
Truly an EOC favorite, Meil is Chief Economist at Eaton Corp. and highly recognized throughout the world of economics. He will continue his tradition of sharing his insightful perspectives into the future of the fluid power market and the drivers associated with it.

International Market Forecast
Alan Beaulieu, The Institute for Trend Research (ITR)
Beaulieu is an EOC standout who offers a dynamic and energetic look at the future of international markets. He has over 15 years of world-wide business consulting experience and also is responsible for the semi-annual NFPA Forecast service.

Political Landscape
Stuart Rothenburg, Rothenburg Political Report
Rothenburg has his finger on Washington’s political pulse and will use his exceptional knowledge of American politics, important insights, humorous discussions and issues facing decision makers on Capitol Hill to provide 
attendees with timely information about the changing political climate and 
expected impact on business.

Breakout Sessions

On-Highway Truck Market Forecast
Eric Starks, FTR Associates
Get a comprehensive look at the truck market with one of the premier industry forecasters on transportation equipment demand for commercial trucks and trailers. Starks will review the current and future state of the truck market while touching upon the latest economic trends.

Lawn & Garden Equipment Forecast
Bill Harley, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) 
Take an in-depth look a variety of consumer and commercial turf-care products trends, as President and CEO of OPEI, Bill Harley, walks attendees through the future of lawn & garden equipment.

Industrial Material Handling & Metalworking Market Forecast
Ken Kremar, Global Insight, Inc.
Drawing upon Global Insight’s diverse data resources and his many years of machinery and equipment market research experience, Kremar will examine the industrial-based material handling market and metalworking market.

Semiconductor Market Forecast
John Bauman, Global Insight, Inc. 
Join Mr. Bauman as he uses his extensive experience in forecasting the production, demand, and cost of high-tech equipment and services to examine the continuously changing semiconductor market. Attendees will take a close look at this market’s cyclical challenges and growth patterns through the global marketplace.

Mobile Channels Workshop

	R&D Across the Mobile Channel –  NFPA and AEM Working Together  to Meet the Needs of the End Customer
Mike Gust, CCEFP  •  Brian Kober, Komatsu America
Apply what you learn at the EOC and engage in discussions on how the industries can work more closely together to meet the needs of equipment manufacturer’s customers. Mike Gust will present a research and development briefing from the fluid power industry and a summary of where fluid power technology is headed. Brian Kober from Komatsu America will be on hand to discuss what advances equipment manufacturer's customers are looking for in the next generation of machines. Your thoughts on how to bring these two forces into closer alignment will be used to set the agenda for a future NFPA/AEM leadership summit.

Special Evening Event

NFPA’s Power of Association Dinner Event
Top off your day with this high octane networking experience. Network with colleagues and industry peers as you enjoy Chicago Indoor Racing’s award winning banquet facilities and complementary entertainment that include a full-hosted bar and complete dinner buffet for all EOC attendees.