Tulane Business Forum emphasizing growth

NEW ORLEANS — The Tulane Business Forum will emphasize economic growth in the region in its 33rd year, with a theme of “Scoring Big: Building on Business Victories.”

The forum will be held 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Friday at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

The forum will focus on key strategies responsible for making New Orleans a top contender in economic development. Business leaders will share their perspectives on recent trends and achievements resulting from innovative and collaborative partnerships in the areas of industrial development, trade and transportation, banking, sports, entrepreneurship and tourism.

Among speakers and topics are:

• Carl J. Schramm, president of Schramm & Co. in Baltimore, Md., on “making American capitalism more entrepreneurial.”
• Carl J. Chaney, president and CEO of Whitney Bank, a Hancock Holding Co., on the combination of the two banks and the possibilities for expansion in the industry and region.
• Beth A. Brooke, global vice chair, public policy for Ernst & Young in Washington, D.C., on public policy and business issues and the potential effect of different election outcome scenarios.
• Scott S. Cowen, president of Tulane University, with an overview of the prospective future of intercollegiate athletics and how it may impact the higher education sector.
• John C. Sheptor, president and CEO of Imperial Sugar Co. in Sugar Land, Texas, on changes in business and how to position these changes into promising opportunities.

There also will be a panel discussion among sports authorities on the fast-growing sports industry and its impact on the region’s economic development. Forum registration is $160 for the general public and $130 for Tulane alumni. Registration is available at http://www.tulanebusiness.com or (504) 861-7921.