The economy is rebounding and driving forward! Spring has arrived and with it Innovation Month and this year’s annual Coachella Valley Business Conference & Economic Forecast! This event will take place in the City of Indio, is brought to you by the Riverside County Office of Economic Development, and hosted by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. It will focus on small business trends and resources to global, national, and local business forecast. The conference will take place on Thursday, April 21st at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The conference will run from 7:30am-10:30am and will include a delicious breakfast, just the thing to start your day and get the mind working!

Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Thornberg

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Christopher Thornberg, the Director of the UC Riverside School of Business, Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. Dr. Thornberg is an expert in economic and revenue forecasting, regional economics, economic policy, labor markets and real estate markets. He has consulted for private industry, cities, counties, and public agencies in San Diego, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, San Francisco, Sacramento Orange County, Seattle and Nevada. He is well known for his ability to captivate his audiences and has presented to hundreds of leading business, government, and nonprofit organizations. Come take part and learn about the current small business trends in the Coachella Valley, State and County programs that can assist small businesses, what assistance is available to entrepreneurs and innovators and where small businesses can get help to start, grow and succeed.

Guest Speakers Jeffrey Van Wagenen and V. Manuel Perez

This year’s guest speaker is Jeffrey Van Wagenen, the County Executive Officer for the County of Riverside. Van Wagenen has worked for 15 years in public service with the County of Riverside, including his time as assistant CEO for seven public safety departments. Prior to his time in service to the county, he owned and operated a criminal law office for a decade.

Also speaking will be V. Manuel Perez of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Fourth District. Born and raised in Coachella Valley, he has worked as a youth advocate and director of community health and advocacy for Santa Del Valle-Borrego Health, at Centro Medico Coachella and Centro Medico Oasis. From 2004 to 2008, he served on the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, where he led the passage of a $250 million bond to construct and renovate schools in the eastern Coachella Valley. In 2008, he was elected to the California State Assembly, representing eastern Riverside County and Imperial County where he worked with colleagues and the Governor’s Office to introduce healthcare reform, renewable energy growth, job creation and fiscal accountability legislation. After serving three terms, Perez continued his public service with his election to the Coachella City Council.

So what are you waiting for? Come expand your knowledge and join in on Thursday, April 21st at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio for this year’s Coachella Valley Business Conference & Economic Forecast! You can purchase tickets for this informative event here.