The CFA Society of Spokane, an organization of financial analysts, portfolio managers, and other investment professionals, has slated two industry veterans to speak at its 20th annual Economic Forecast Dinner tonight at the Davenport Hotel.

A reception starts at 5 p.m., with the program and dinner starting at 6 p.m.

The annual forecast will feature John Nichol, vice president, senior portfolio manager, and head of the growth and income team at Pittsburgh-based Federated Investors, and Axel Merk, president and chief information officer at Merk Investments, of Portland, Maine. 

Colin Kelly, past president of CFA Spokane and portfolio manager at Spokane-based Signia Capital Management LLC, says the organization expects to draw a crowd of about 100 people this year, similar to last year’s attendance. 

Nichol, who has worked in investments for 21 years, is responsible for portfolio management and research in the growth and income equity area. He previously had served as portfolio manager of the Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio.

Merk, referred to as the “currency guru” by Morningstar, is regarded as an expert on the global economy, monetary policy, and international investing. He appears regularly on CNBC, FoxBusiness, and Bloomberg, among other media outlets. 

CFA Society of Spokane is the local chapter of the CFA Institute, which administers the Chartered Financial Analyst Program, and sets standards for investment knowledge, standards, and ethics.