The California Apartment Association is pleased to announce that renowned economist Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, will deliver the economic forecast at Outlook 2020 —  an economic and political lookahead for Orange County’s rental housing industry.

The forecast is part of CAA’s annual Orange County Holiday Breakfast meeting, which comes to Costa Mesa on Dec. 5.

In addition to an analysis of the state and local economy, Thornberg will provide a snapshot of employment, home prices, consumer spending, personal income, and other leading economic indicators impacting the Orange County market. 

Aside from his role at Beacon Economics, Thornberg is director of the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development and is an adjunct professor at the school. He became nationally known for forecasting the subprime mortgage market crash that began in 2007, and was one of the few economists on record to predict the global economic recession that followed.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Thornberg as our keynote speaker this year,” said Victor Cao, CAA’s vice president of public affairs for Orange County. “His expertise is extremely relevant to our business and timely as we head into a year of new legislation.”

After his keynote address, Thornberg will take part in a panel discussion on the state of the rental housing industry. Panelists will include  government officials from Orange County, as well as multifamily executives from CAA member companies. The panelists will be announced soon.