Each year, informed business leaders throughout the region gather at the East County Economic Summit for insight into the current and future status of the East County economy. The event is a partnership between the East Bay Economic Development Alliance and the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.

The lineup of speakers for this year's summit, to be held Sept. 28 at Antioch's Lone Tree Event Center, includes Dr. Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics, who will deliver the main keynote address. Thornberg is considered an authority on economic issues affecting the East Bay and East Contra Costa sub-region, and will focus his remarks on the Regional Economic Forecast.

State of California Small Business Enterprise Officer Samuel Wallace has been tapped to deliver the lunch keynote address. Wallace will provide information about How to Receive Contracts for the Major Projects in California. In addition to Thornberg and Wallace, Ed Del Beccaro of Colliers International will discuss Regional Trends and Outlook, while Wells Fargo's Mike Billeci will explore The Impact of Credit Tightening on East County.

The event will also feature a short video highlighting the growth occurring throughout East County, followed by a panel of economic development directors from Antioch, Brentwood, Bay Point, Oakley and Pittsburg. The panel will provide attendees with the latest economic development information specific to each city.

According to Devi Lanphere, CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, the purpose of the summit is to provide the commercial development community - especially those brokers and developers considering an investment or project in the region - with a heightened awareness of the region and thus an advantage over their competitors.

"The agenda for this year's event is primarily focused on the development community," said Lanphere. "Whether they're interested in new projects in our region or concerned about the commercial market, or even if they're looking at the current state of lending, the value of this event is that it's both comprehensive and concise."

The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a buffet breakfast and sit-down lunch. The event will be emceed by Vintage Foster, former publisher of the Silicon Valley Business Journal and partner in the new joint venture Armanino McKenna.

For more information, call the Antioch Chamber of Commerce at 757-1800.