Chamber to Host Economic Outlook '06 Forum Featuring Hugh Johnson

Hudson, NY – The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce will host an Economic Outlook '06 Forum on January 18, 2006. The keynote speaker for the event will be Hugh Johnson. Mr. Johnson serves as the Chairman of Johnson Illington Advisors, LLC. In that capacity, he manages nearly $624 million of equity, fixed income and cash investments for individual and institutional clients and serves as a consultant to over $900 million in institutional assets. He also serves as the Consulting Investment Strategist to First Albany Companies. Mr. Johnson has appeared regularly in various international newspapers, periodicals and can be heard on numerous major radio and television stations.

In both positions, Mr. Johnson formulates the outlook for the stock and bond markets. To do this, he combines a knowledge of the financial market and economic history, an understanding of the shape of the market cycle, and a sense of the forces driving market and economic trends. He has originated indicators that define the status of Federal Reserve policy and describe and identify those sectors of the stock and bond markets that investors should focus on.

Mr. Johnson's work appears regularly in the New York Times, USA Today, Business Week, and other leading newspapers and periodicals around the world. He has been a regular guest on CNBC, and has been a special guest on “Wall Street Week with Louis Ruykeyser.” His comments can be heard regularly on National Public Radio, CBS, USA Today Radio and other radio networks. He has been a guest on NBC Nightly News, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, and Nightly Business Report (PBS). He serves as an economic advisor to the Chairman of the New York State Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and is Director of New York Business Development Corporation. In addition, Mr. Johnson is an Adjunct Professor of Management at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and holds a board position with both Security Mutual Life and Foxhall Capital Management. He has also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Finance Council.

The cost of the forum is $10. A continental breakfast will be served. The event will be held at Columbia-Greene Community College in the Arts Center Theater from 7:30 – 9:00 am. The College is located at 4400 Route 23 in Hudson . Please contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 for reservations.

National Union Bank of Kinderhook, First Niagara Bank and Midhudsonmedia are Major Sponsors of the event. Dunn Builders Supply and Shallo, Galluscio, Bianchi & Fucito, CPAs, PC are Brass Sponsors.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, with its 850 members, is the leading voice of business in Columbia County , providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members. Those seeking more information concerning the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and membership can contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or visit the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.