The Ball State Business Forecasting Roundtable invited leaders from the business community to discuss issues affecting the regional economy in East Central Indiana.

Our archive includes a list of speakers and slides from each meeting.

Browse by year:

First Quarter: February 7, 2018

No presentation slides

  • Furniture Retail Presentation by Richard Gill, Gill Bros. Furniture, Roundtable Chair
  • Regionalization & Consolidation of Municipal Taxes & Services by Joshua Hall, West Virginia University

Second Quarter: June 13, 2018

No Presentation slides

  • US & Indiana Economies: A Mid-Year Forecast Update by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University

Third Quarter: TBD August/September 2018

Mid-Year: June 20, 2017

No presentation slides

  • Mid-Year Forecast Update by Michael J. Hicks, director, CBER, Ball State University

Full Year: December 7, 2017

Presentation slides

22nd annual Indiana Economic Outlook

  • Opening Remarks by Richard Gill, owner, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
  • 2018 Forecast by Michael J. Hicks, director, CBER, Ball State University
  • Keynote Presentation by Lorri A. Torres, Inspector General, State of Indiana

First Quarter: March 14, 2016

Presentation slides

  • Presentation of the Golden Dart Award for 2015 Forecast
  • A Statistical Review of Muncie's Economy by Michael Hicks, director of CBER, Ball State University

Second Quarter: June 27, 2016

No presentation slides

  • Welcome by Richard Gill, Owner, Gill Bros. Furniture, Roundtable Chair
  • Opening Comments by Michael J. Hicks, director of CBER, Ball State University
  • 2021 Economic Development Strategy by John Fisher, co-chair, Muncie-Delaware Co. Economic Development Corporation

Third Quarter: September 12, 2016

No presentation slides

  • Manufacturing Industry Panel
    • Steve Smith, Mid-West Metal Products
    • Stephen Brand, Magna Powertrain Muncie
    • Susan Carlock, Mursix Corporation

Fourth Quarter: December 5, 2016

No presentation slides

  • 21st annual Indiana Economic Outlook
    • Richard Gill, Owner, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
    • Michael J. Hicks, director, CBER, Ball State University
    • Joe Donnelly, US Senator for Indiana

First Quarter: February 25, 2015

Presentation slides

  • Presentation of the Golden Dart Award for 2014 Forecast
    • Winner: Tom Heck
  • The Centennial Commitment—Embracing the Ball State Legacy of Beneficence and Entrepreneurship by Paul Ferguson, president, Ball State University

Second Quarter: May 19, 2015

No presentation slides

  • Mid-Year Economic Outlook by Michael J. Hicks, director of CBER, Ball State University

Third Quarter: August 12, 2015

No presentation slides

  • Panel Discussion: The Economics of Health Care
    • Jeffery Bird, COO & CMO, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
    • Lori Luther, CFO, IU Health Physicians
    • Erik Nesson, assistant professor of economics, Ball State University

Fourth Quarter: November 11, 2015

No presentation slides

  • Golden Dart Predictions for 2016
  • Energy for Today and Tomorrow by Paul Chodak, president & COO, Indiana Michigan Power

First Quarter: February 12, 2014

Presentation slides

  • Golden Dart Award for the Most Accurate Forecast
    • 2013 Forecast Winner: Steve Rhea
  • Seven Deadly Sins of Exporting by Mark Cooper, director, Indiana Office, US Department of Commerce

Second Quarter: May 7, 2014

Presentation slides

  • Mid-Year Forecast Update by Michael J. Hicks, director, CBER, Ball State University

Third Quarter: September 10, 2014

Presentation slides | Blue Ribbon report | INDOT map

  • Indiana's Logistics Future by Cathy Langham, president and CEO, Langham Logistics

Fourth Quarter: November 11, 2014

Presentation slides

  • Golden Dart Predictions for 2015

First Quarter: February 13, 2013

No presentation slides

  • Welcome by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • Golden Dart Award for the Most Accurate Forecast
    • 2012 Forecast Winner: Jim Kouns
  • State of Manufacturing Panel Discussion
    • Ray Chambers, Muncie Power Products
    • Dan Irvin, Magna Tech Manufacturing
    • Todd Murray, Mursix Corporation

Second Quarter: May 8, 2013

Presentation slides

  • Welcome by Richard Gill, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
  • Update on the US Economy and Mid-Year Forecast Update by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University

Third Quarter: August 14, 2013

Presentation slides

  • Welcome by Richard Gill, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
  • Update on the US Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • Communication in Sales by Ramon Avila, Ball State University

Fourth Quarter: November 13, 2013

Presentation slides

  • Small Businesses and the ACA by Richard Gill, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
  • Update on the US Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • Predictions for the 2014 Forecast (Golden Dart)

First Quarter: February 29, 2012

Presentation slides

• Welcome by Richard Gill, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
• Update on the US Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
• Golden Dart Award for the Most Accurate Forecast
o 2011 Forecast Winner: Kathie Onieal

Second Quarter: May 9, 2012

Presentation slides

• Welcome by Richard Gill, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
• Mid-Year Update on the Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University

Third Quarter: August 8, 2012

Presentation slides

• Welcome by Richard Gill, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
• Retail Activity in 2012 by Richard Gill, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
• Economic Update by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
• Discussion of Business Survey Responses by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University

Fourth Quarter: November 14, 2012

Presentation slides

• Welcome by Richard Gill, Gill Brothers Furniture, Roundtable Chair
• Update on the US Economy by Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
• Managing Commodity Costs in the Glass Container Industry by Steve Rhea, Verallia North America (formerly Saint Gobain Containers)
• Submit Your 2013 Forecast Predictions (Golden Dart Award)

First Quarter: March 2, 2011

Presentation slides

  • Welcome by Steve Smith, Midwest Metal Products, Roundtable Chair
  • U.S. Economic Outlook by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • State of Real Estate, Muncie-Delaware County by Jim Kouns, Coldwell Banker Lunsford
  • Golden Dart Award for Most Accurate Forecast
    • 2010 Forecast Winners: Jim Kouns and Rick Lopez

Second Quarter: May 16, 2011

Presentation slides

  • Welcome by Steve Smith, Midwest Metal Products, Roundtable Chair
  • U.S. Economic Outlook by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • Business Survey and Discussion by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University

Third Quarter: August 24, 2011

Presentation slides

  • Welcome by Steve Smith, Midwest Metal Products, Roundtable Chair
  • Introduction of Keynote by Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
  • The Banking Environment Today: From the Inside by David Heeter, MutualFirst Financial, Inc./MutualBank

Fourth Quarter: November 16, 2011

Presentation slides

  • Welcome by Steve Smith, Midwest Metal Products, Roundtable Chair
  • Update on the US Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • Submit Your 2012 Forecast Predictions (Golden Dart Award)

First Quarter: March 3, 2010

Presentation slides

  • Local Real Estate Market Update by Jim Kouns, Coldwell Banker Lundsford
  • Update on the State Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • Update on the US Economy by Gary Santoni, Ball State University
  • Golden Dart Award for Most Accurate Forecast
    • 2009 Forecast Winner: Robert Kersey

Second Quarter: May 12, 2010

Presentation slides

  • Update on the US Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • About the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute by John Ketzenberger, IFPI President

Third Quarter: August 11, 2010

Presentation slides

  • Update on the US Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • Indiana Gaming Tax Revenue by Jim Landers, Indiana Legislative Services Agency

Fourth Quarter: November 10, 2010

Presentation slides

  • Update on the US Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • What's Next in the Health Care Debate? by Kerry Anne McGeary, Ball State University

First Quarter: March 18, 2009

Second Quarter: May 13, 2009

Third Quarter: August 12, 2009

Fourth Quarter: November 11, 2009

First Quarter: March 19, 2008

  • Delaware County Real Estate 2007 by Jim Kouns, Coldwell Banker Lunsford
  • Economic Update: Indiana Economy by Michael J. Hicks, Ball State University
  • Economic Update: US Economy by Gary Santoni, Ball State University
  • Golden Dart Award for the Most Accurate Forecast
    • 2007 Forecast Winner: Tom Wagley

Second Quarter: June 25, 2008

Third Quarter: September 17, 2008

Fourth Quarter: November 12, 2008

First Quarter: February 22, 2007

Second Quarter: May 9, 2007

Third Quarter: August 8, 2007

Fourth Quarter: November 14, 2007

First Quarter: February 22, 2006

Second Quarter: May 24, 2006

Third Quarter: August 9, 2006

Fourth Quarter: November 8, 2006

First Quarter: February 9, 2005

Second Quarter: May 11, 2005

Third Quarter: August 24, 2005

Fourth Quarter: November 9, 2005

First Quarter: February 11, 2004

  • Economic Update: US Economy by Patrick Barkey, Ball State University
  • The Golden Dart Award for the Most Accurate Forecast by Gary Santoni, Ball State University
    • 2003 Forecast Winner: Michael Cox

Second Quarter: May 12, 2004

  • Indiana’s Budget Challenge by William Styring III, Styring and Associates
  • Economic Recovery in Indiana by Patrick Barkey, Ball State University
  • Review of 2004 Outlook and Remarks on Monetary Policy by Gary Santoni, Ball State University

Third Quarter: August 11, 2004

Fourth Quarter: November 10, 2004

Golden Dart Award for the Most Accurate Forecast, 2000-2002

  • 2002 Forecast Winner: Larry Bassett
  • 2001 Forecast Winner: Greg Witbeck
  • 2000 Forecast Winner: Mike Lunsford