Dr Ganesh Nana, a senior economist with Business and Economic Research Ltd (Berl), Tourism Dunedin chief executive Hamish Saxton and Westpac's Otago-Southland business banking manager Phil Moore will speak at the event aimed at giving local businesses information to make informed decisions.
Two Clutha economic development groups - the Clutha District Council's district development board and Enterprise Clutha - have combined to bring the event to Balclutha.
It is the first economic forum to be held in the town for many years.
Berl is a professional consulting and research group set up in 1970.
It has conducted dozens of economic studies and projections for various groups and provides economic forecasts and advice for government agencies.
The forum will examine the effect of the current economic climate on the rural community, how businesses can retain the confidence of their banks in tight economic times, effective marketing and how to preserve revenue.
The forum will be held at the Rosebank Lodge on Thursday, July 9.
Doors open at 6.30pm, with the agenda starting at 7pm.
Organisers say registrations are essential as numbers are limited.
Registrations close on July 7.
