A broad range of economic issues and challenges directly affecting the Pikes Peak region — including housing, wages, tourism, interest rates, infrastructure and population growth — will be outlined and discussed at the 28th annual University of Colorado Colorado Springs Economic Forum on Thursday.

Originally called the Southern Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum when it was established in 1997, the conference has expanded over the years to become a can’t-miss event for local business and civic leaders, officials said.

The forum will be held at the Ent Center for the Arts on the UCCS campus.

State demographer Elizabeth Garner will deliver the keynote address, titled “Where do we grow from here? Population trends in Colorado and El Paso County,” according to program director Bill Craighead.

“The overall purpose of the forum is to help people in the Pikes Peak region be better informed about economic and business conditions,” said Craighead, who assumed leadership of the forum last year. “We’re here to be a community resource.”

After the keynote address, two panel discussions will take place simultaneously Thursday afternoon, Craighead said. One will focus on the future of downtown and commercial real estate, and the other will discuss the opportunities and challenges for small businesses in the region.

Craighead, a career academic economist and former faculty member at Colorado College and the Air Force Academy, will also give a presentation on the economic outlook for the Pikes Peak region.

The forum director is expected to discuss the local impact of higher interest rates, the housing market, employment rates, and overall bright spots and challenges.

“It’s a good opportunity for business and civic leaders, and other people with an interest in our economy, to get together, network, discuss different issues, and become overall better informed,” Craighead said.

More than 300 people are expected to attend the forum that starts at noon.

Last-minute registrations at a cost of $65 are accepted.

While Thursday’s conference is the signature event, the Economic Forum serves as a year-round resource that helps inform the community through media appearances, speaking engagements and various other projects, Craighead said.

“We have this annual event, of course, but we’re around all year, keeping track of the local economy,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for.”

Among the key talking points last year were continued concerns over inflation and housing costs combined with a positive job outlook.