09/09/2026
On September 23, the Belk College of Business will host the North Carolina Economic Forum, a special event honoring the legacy of the late Dr. John Connaughton’s 45 years of leadership and introducing the new North Carolina Economic Impact Center.
The program features a panel of leading economists discussing the state and national economies, including Patrick Schorno, Chief Economist at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Mark Vitner, Chief Economist at Piedmont Crescent Capital, James LaBar, Chief Economic and Community Development Officer at Charlotte Center City Partners and Craig Depken, Chair of the Department of Economics at UNC Charlotte. The conversation will be moderated by Richard Buttimer, Dean of the Belk College of Business.
📅 Wednesday, September 23
☕ 11 a.m. Alumni Coffee
🥪 11:30 a.m. Lunch
📊 Noon to 1 p.m. Panel Presentation (hybrid)
📍 The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City
🔗 Reserve your spot https://belkcollege.info/Economic-Forum