Kane County Development Director Mark VanKerkhoff will be among an elite panel of local experts taking a hard look at Kane County’s economic future during a Jan. 17 forum in Geneva.

The Kane County Chronicle will host its annual Economic Forecast event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Eagle Brook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Boulevard, Geneva.

During the event, attendees will get a glimpse at what’s in store for Kane County and the economy in 2017. The event will include information about where the economy is heading, as well as the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Panelists for the event include some of Kane County’s top economic development leaders.

Mark VanKerkhoff

Slated for the panel are Dan Stellato, president of BEI Properties in Batavia; Dr. Christine Sobek, president of Waubonsee Community College based in Sugar Grove; Tom Russe, president of Sterling Bank in St. Charles; Mary Porter, CEO of Emergent Safety Supply in Batavia; and VanKerkhoff, AIA (American Institute of Architects), director of the Kane County Development and Community Services Department based in Geneva.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Ralph M. Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. The event moderator will be Kathy Balcazar, weekly group editor for the Kane County Chronicle, Elburn Herald, Sugar Grove Herald and Suburban Life Media.

“Having moderated this event for several years now, I can say that it is always informative and engaging,” Balcazar said.

Cost to attend the event, which includes lunch, is $35 a person or $350 for a table of 10.

Priority reservations are due Jan. 12.

• This article was submitted by Kathy Balcazar, weekly group editor for the Kane County Chronicle, Elburn Herald, Sugar Grove Herald and Suburban Life Media Balcazar is a member of the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association Board. Contact her at kbalcazar@shawmedia.com or 630-845-5368. Learn more about NINA at ninaonline.org.