BOULDER - One of the top economists at the National Association of Realtors will headline the Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference & Forecast on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Millennium Harvest House Boulder.

Paul Bishop, the association's managing director of real estate research, will speak on the national economy and real estate market, including the ongoing credit crunch. Bishop leads the Research Division's survey and market research activities, including analysis of real estate business and policy issues.

He will join a host of other speakers and panelists at the second annual real estate event. 

Topics at the conference include:

The Credit Crunch - What Now? - Successfully navigate the banking and credit industries. Panelists include Brad Blackwell, executive vice president, retail national sales manager, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; Jed Dealy, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Bank, Denver; Lou Barnes, nationally known real estate commentator, Boulder; Craig Ockers, Realtor, The Colorado Group.

Perception vs. Reality - Up from the bottom, the value gap, pent-up demand and moving upward. Panelists include William Graff, commercial appraiser, Boulder; Bob Greenlee, former Boulder mayor, radio station owner, investor; Patrick Dolan, Realtor, Re/Max of Boulder Inc.; Wendy Reynolds, president, Flatirons Bank, Boulder; Beat Steiner, administrative partner, Holland & Hart, Boulder.

Green Machine or Green Bubble? - Growth of green (solar, thermal, wind, conservation, building materials) and how we will benefit. Panelists include Hugh Morris, director, Smart Growth and Housing Opportunities, National Association of Realtors; Ben Griffin, Namaste Solar; John Shaw, Bella Energy; Ken Hotard, senior vice president, public affairs, Boulder Area Realtor Association.

Real Estate & Economic Forecast - A look at the year ahead from bankers, Realtors and economists, with both a national and local outlook provided. Panelists include DB Wilson, managing broker, RE/MAX of Boulder Inc.; B. Scot Smith, The Colorado Group Inc.; Brad Blackwell, executive vice president, Wells Fargo Mortgage; Patti Silverstein, chief economist, Metro Denver Economic Development Corp.; Andy Grolnick, president and CEO, LogRhythm Inc., Boulder.

The Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference & Forecast is presented by the Boulder County Business Report. Sponsors include the Colorado Group, Re/Max of Boulder, Holland & Hart LLP, Packard & Dierking LLC, Wells Fargo Bank and the W.W. Reynolds Cos.

The conference will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the Millennium Harvest House Boulder, 1345 28th St., in Boulder. Lunch will be provided. Registration costs $49, with booths available for $350. Sponsorships are also available. Visit www.bcbr.com, and click on the Events button to register. For sponsorship or other event information, contact Emily Trayers at 303-440-4950 or etrayers@bcbr.com.

For more information about the Fall Real Estate Conference or to register, visit http://www.fallrealestateconference.com/.