So, is it over yet?

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Financial Executives International - Conference news - Editorial

Returning from FEI's annual leadership Summit in May, those more than 500 FEI members and sponsors who braved the economic downturn and threats of swine flu to converge in Grapevine, Texas, May 4-6, had to feel hopeful about an economic recovery in sight and ready to get back and tackle their jobs of diligently stewarding their companies' assets. I know I feel that way.

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Several keynote speakers spoke of "sprouts of green" and "seedlings being planted," while steering away from declaring "recovery." Considering that for some of the speakers, analyzing and reporting on the economy is their "day" job, it's likely that their insights are correct. So, I'm reading that to say it's time to move proactively and remain laser-focused on that light at the end of the tunnel--because it's out there, however dim it may still appear.

I know, as a magazine editor, it's getting difficult to find creative ways to say "unprecedented times," "dismal economy" and the like, without being boringly redundant!

Indeed, NYSE Euronext's Chief Executive Officer Duncan Neiderauer flipped "unprecedented" times to describe not the economy--which he says moves in bubbles that should be expected every eight to 10 years--but rather the impact of the trillions of stimulus dollars governments around the globe are "throwing at the problem" to solve the liquidity and credit-crisis hampering economies worldwide. While Economist Economics Editor Zanny Minton-Beddoes said it's the first time the world economy will shrink.

This was my ninth Summit, and without bias (well, maybe some), these FEI events do keep getting better. The quality of speakers and venues--and the smooth execution of FEI's conference team helps, of course. But at the heart of the meetings, it's the FEI members--and their commitment and dedication to their "day" jobs, along with their volunteer efforts to support and help sustain the important things FEI does, along with our...