Fairfield Chamber Of Commerce To Host 2023 Economic Outlook Breakfast

The following announcement is from the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce:

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is hosting its much anticipated, annual 2023 Economic Outlook Breakfast this year, on Wednesday, February 1st, 7:30am-9:30am, at the Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, CT.

The event, sponsored by M&T Bank, will feature three very special guest speakers— First
Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick; Mark Barnhart, Director of Community and Economic
Development; and Luke Tilley, EVP, Chief Economist & Department Head, Wilmington Trust
Investment Advisors.

• State of the Town Address. Year in Review. Looking Forward.

Brenda Kupchick is a proud third-generation Fairfielder who is the second female in the Town’s
383-year history to be elected as First Selectwoman. Brenda is serving her fourth year as First
Selectwoman after a decades-long commitment to public service including service on the RTM and Board of Education and CT State Representative of the 132nd District for five terms. Prior to her time as a state legislator, Brenda served as Constituent Services Representative for U.S.
Congressman Christopher Shays and for State Senator John McKinney. Brenda and her husband
Peter have also owned and operated a local small business for over 30 years.

• Looking Forward: Fairfield Metro & Development Plans

Mark Barnhart is the Director of Community & Economic Development for the Town of Fairfield. During his 20-year tenure, Mark has been responsible for managing all of the Town’s development plans, plus the acquisition and redevelopment of the former Fort Devans site into affordable housing. From 2010 through its December 2011 opening, Mark oversaw the partial remediation and construction of the Fairfield Metro Train Station site to facilitate the private development now underway. Previously, Mark served as Town Manager and CEO for the Town of Stratford from 1992 to 2002. Mr. Barnhart holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his undergraduate studies at Albright College.

• Economic Outlook for 2023

Luke is Chief Economist and Head of Economics, Asset Allocation & Quantitative Services for
Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors (WTIA), a part of the M&T Bank family. Luke is also a
member of WTIA’s Investment Committee. Prior to joining Wilmington Trust in 2015, Luke was
an officer and economic advisor with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Early in his career,
Luke worked as a senior economist at HIS Global Insight (now IHS Markit) and as an economist for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Tilley has appeared on CNBC and Fox Business Network.

What’s in store for our economy in 2023? The Chamber’s guest speakers will share their unique
perspective on the national, regional, state, and local economy for 2023. This important
informational breakfast meeting is a valuable opportunity to explore this year’s economic outlook.

Attendees will hear and discover first-hand, key issues, policies and developments that may have an impact on the business community.

"We are very excited to have Fairfield’s First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick and Mark Barnhart,
Directory of Community & Economic Development as guest speakers, in addition to M&T Bank’s
EVP, Chief Economist & Department Head, Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Luke Tilley,
to speak at our 2023 Economic Outlook Breakfast event … people are always curious about the
direction of our economy as we begin a new year," says Beverly A. Balaz, President of the Fairfield
Chamber of Commerce. Networking and full hot breakfast buffet will be served from 7:30am-
8:00am. The Presentation and Q&A will run from 8:00am – 9:30am.

This timely and informative event is open to the public. Please RSVP by January 26th, by calling the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce office: 203-255-1011 or registering online at:
www.FairfieldCTChamber.com .

• Chamber Members: $65
• Guest of an Attending Chamber Member: $65
• Non-Chamber Members: $75

For registration, sponsorship opportunities or more information about this event, please call the
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce: 203-255-1011 … or visit the website: FairfieldCTChamber.com.

— Flyer image via Fairfield Chamber of Commerce