Steve Forbes to headline AV EDGE Spring Business Summit set for Feb. 24

LANCASTER – The Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth Enterprise (AV EDGE) will host its annual Spring Business Summit on Friday, Feb. 24, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the AV Fair & Event Center, located at 2551 W Avenue H in Lancaster.

This year’s keynote speaker is entrepreneur, award-winning author/journalist, and Chairman and Editor-In-Chief of Forbes Media — Steve Forbes.

Forbes continues to lead the most successful business news magazine in America. He writes editorials for each issue of Forbes under the heading “Fact and Comment.” One of his newest projects is the podcast What’s Ahead, where he engages the world’s top newsmakers, politicians, and pioneers in business and economics in honest conversations meant to challenge traditional conventions. Other accomplishments include his role in creating the highly-acclaimed public television documentary, In Money We Trust?

Forbes is the only writer to have won the prestigious Crystal Owl Award four times. The prize was formerly given by U.S. Steel Corporation to the financial journalist whose economic forecasts for the coming year proved most accurate.

During the 2023 Spring Business Summit, Forbes will address the current economic situation and provide insights and strategic advice for business growth and success in today’s challenging times. In addition to sharing his professional insights on the current economic outlook, Forbes also will discuss his book “Power Ambition Glory,” which provides intriguing lessons from comparisons between great leaders of the ancient world and contemporary business leaders.

Returning to the 2023 Spring Business Summit will be Dr. Robert Eyler, president of Economic Forensics and Analytics, which specializes in public policy analysis for private business firms and governments. Eyler is also an economics professor at Sonoma State University and has been a visiting scholar at both the University of Bologna and Stanford University. Having earned a Ph. D. from the University of California, Davis, and a B.A. in Economics at CSU, Chico, Eyler is a respected expert witness and forensic economist, who is often called upon by national media for his insights and financial forecasting expertise. Eyler has authored two books, including one on international economic sanctions. Eyler’s family have been sheep and cattle ranchers in Marin and Sonoma counties since 1910, which qualifies him to address the unique financial challenges at state, regional and local levels.

This year’s emcee will, once again, be award-winning television journalist and businessman Jeff Michael. After a broadcast journalism career spanning three decades, Michael now serves as communications specialist with Virgin Galactic.

“This year’s Spring Business Summit will provide valuable insights, practical resources, and data on the current and future regional economic climate, and an in-depth analysis of current economic challenges and opportunities,” said AV EDGE Executive Director Drew Mercy. “Attendees will leave with real tools to help navigate current economic conditions and have a leg up towards success.”

Additional topics will include a regional economic forecast specific to Kern County, Los Angeles County, and the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale, as well as a comprehensive real estate market overview.

Individual tickets start at $100 for AV EDGE members and $120 for non-members. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early as seating is limited. For all event information, including sponsorship opportunities and detailed ticket information, visit avedgeca.org. The 2023 Spring Business Summit is presented by Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA).

[Information via news release from AV EDGE.]

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