KANSAS CITY — Kevin Barth, president of Commerce Bank of Kansas City, will offer his perspective on the economic outlook at the 2009 fall symposium of the Transportation, Elevator and Grain Merchants Association. The group will be meeting Sept. 9-10 at the InterContinental hotel in Kansas City.

Mr. Barth, whose banking career at Commerce included many years specializing in agribusiness-related banking accounts, will discuss, "Economic Outlook — Will Agriculture and the Midwest Fare Better than Most?"

Other confirmed speakers include Bernardo Ayala, vice-president, Mexico, for the Union Pacific Railroad. Mr. Ayala will discuss Mexico’s economy and rail issues. Bill Helming of Bill Helming Consulting Services will offer a presentation with the ominous title, "The Calm before the Coming Economic and Financial Storm in 2010-2013."

Steve Whitney, vice-president, bulk, Canadian Pacific Railroad, will discuss rail service issues and will offer an update on the CP Rail line.

The session will conclude with a panel discussion on operational and business issues facing the grain and transportation sectors. Panelists will be announced later.

Mike Mandl, chairman of TEGMA, said the program is different from the past and represents "another step" in invigorating TEGMA, offering a "better focused value proposition" for members.

He noted that the fall program focuses on operational and business issues facing the industry.

"In fact, TEGMA sees its future as addressing operational and business issues facing its members," he said.

Additional information may be found at the group’s web site, www.tegma.org.