FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE October 26, 2005
SUBJECT Chamber Economic Forecast Luncheon to Kick Off 2005 EXPO
CONTACT Bill Triick - 422-4551

Photo: John Augistine, CFA

The Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe, and Trenton is pleased to announce that an economic forecast luncheon will kick off the chamber's annual Business-to-Business EXPO on November 15 at The Manchester Inn & Conference Center. The program entitled Are We Ready for 2006? will show what can be expected for the rest of this year and major expectations for the New Year.

Fifth Third Bank is the primary sponsor for this special economic forecasting event that is being held for the first time in the Middletown, Monroe, and Trenton area.

John Augustine, CFA, a Chief Investment Strategist for Fifth Third Asset Management, Inc., will be presenting to the audience a very close examination of national and regional indicators and predictors that are "just the kind of data and projections that local business owners need to know in order to strategically manage their organizations." Mr. Augustine has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg Television, and Bloomberg Radio.

Business owners are constantly asking for what the immediate future holds for interest rates and what information is available that can help them understand and interpret trends in retail demand and the purchasing of goods and services.

The Chamber of Commerce

Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton

513.422.4551