Most indicators are pointing to a good, if not great, economy over the next 12 months. Jack Kyser, chief economist of the L.A. Economic Development Corp., will lay out his projections at the EDC's 2007-2008 Economic Forecast Conference next Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown. Also speaking will be Leslie Appleton-Young of the California Association of Realtors, Richard Weiss of City National Bank and Steve MacDonald of FilmLA Inc. The program is from 8-10 a.m. You can register at http://laedc.org/forecast.

Next Thursday evening, Feb. 22, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France will speak at the second installment of a distinguished speaker series that focuses on sports executives. David Carter, executive director of the USC Marshall Sports Business Institute, is putting it together. The event also will feature a NASCAR race car and the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship trophy. You can register at www.marshall.usc.edu/france.