VICA Hosts 14th Annual Valley Business Forecast Perhaps Mayor James Hahn can’t find time for the 14th annual Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) Business Forecast Conference on Friday, Nov. 1, but almost everybody else in the Valley business community can. The annual conference and traditionally the best-attended business event of the year will focus on the general state of the economy, the emerging “era of responsibility” in corporate governance and regional business trends. The luncheon speaker will be Robert G. Foster, president of Southern California Edison, whose address is entitled “The Importance of Integrity in Business.” The business forecast conference is open to the public. The $175 admission includes access to more than 40 exhibits, a breakfast session, all mid-morning programs and a luncheon program. Tickets for lunch alone are $85. The VICA conference at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel, 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills begins at 7:30 a.m. with registration and networking and concludes by 2:00 p.m. For more information or reservations, call 818-817-0545 or register online at www.vica.com. For nearly a decade, the mayor of Los Angeles has presented a “State of the Valley” address during the luncheon. This year, however, Mayor James Hahn declined the invitation. The breakfast meeting that will lead off the discussion will center on the Valley’s economic-demographic status and trends, with reports by representatives from CSUN’s San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. and J.D. Power and Associates. Daniel Blake, director of CSUN’s San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center, will present the Center’s 2002 “Report of Findings,” which examines the area’s economic-demographic status and trends. Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., will offer his analysis of 2003 economic triggers and trends, and how they will impact and/or influence existing and future Southern California business, including a potential new Valley city. Ron Conlin, partner and corporate research director for J.D. Power and Associates, will then present his firm’s analysis on the dollar value of customer loyalty in today’s national and regional marketplace.