Chamber is gearing up for our 2014 Forecast Series

The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber is gearing up for our 2014 Forecast Series, and we are looking forward to sharing industry trends in the areas of Economic Development, Real Estate and Health Care with our members and guests.

We especially are pleased with bringing back the Real Estate Forecast as its own program, and partnering with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland Hospital, which is hosting the program in its brand new patient tower on the Woodward Avenue campus.

Last year, we combined the Economic and Real Estate forecasts as both business segments were beginning their turnarounds. With Oakland County continuing to lead the state’s rebound, and the greater Birmingham-Bloomfield residential market on fire, we thought it would be best to give each an in-depth look.

Oakland County saw the state’s largest rise in assessed values last year at 8.38 percent, while the Birmingham-Bloomfield area saw increases of more than 11 percent. Several Realtors told me the only thing holding back an even more active market is a shortage of inventory. The Real Estate sector has a ways to go in the commercial and office areas, but things certainly are looking up.

The Economic Forecast is scheduled for 8-9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. The breakfast program will feature remarks from Paul Traub, business economist from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago-Detroit, and Sam Valenti, CEO of Valenti Capital and World Capital Partners investment firms. Traub has presented at several Economic Forecasts, and we welcome Valenti as a first-time speaker.

Next up is the Real Estate Forecast, scheduled for 8-9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 13 at the Townsend and featuring remarks Harry Glanz, president for the retail division at Capital Mortgage, one of the United ShoreFinancial Services’ umbrella of companies. United Shore is one of Oakland County’s largest and fastest growing companies. Stay tuned for additional presenters.

Finally, we will delve into all aspects of health care as it relates to business, as well as provide the most recent information on the ever-evolving Affordable Care Act and its impact on the business community. As a special treat, attendees will get a sneak peak at the aforementioned new patient tower at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, which is set to open within days following our event. Stay tuned for speakers and other information regarding the program.

Additional information on all three Forecast programs is available on the Chamber Web site at www.bbcc.com Please consider attending one or all of the Forecast sessions and sharing in the good news!

Joe Bauman is president of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber. He welcomes feedback at joeb@bbcc.com