Seminar Overview
This seminar surveys the most commonly used business forecasting methods, explains how they work conceptually, discusses their pros and cons, and demonstrates best practices for implementing them in a real-world environment using Forecast Pro. You will leave with insight into all aspects of business forecasting and a working knowledge of proven forecasting methods.
During the hands-on workshops, you will have the opportunity to solve your forecasting challenges by applying what you have learned using state-of-the-art software under the guidance of expert instructors.
Seminar Highlights
- Introduction to business forecasting
- Components of data
- Time series methods including Exponential Smoothing, Box-Jenkins and the Croston’s intermittent demand model
- Advanced techniques including event modeling, top-down reconciliation and dynamic regression
- New product forecasting methods
- Forecast accuracy and evaluation
- Large scale & multiple-level forecasting
- Computer workshops using Forecast Pro
Who should attend?
The seminar is valuable for anyone whose job responsibilities include preparing or analyzing forecasts—some prior knowledge of statistics is helpful but not essential. The tutorials use Forecast Pro and real-world data to provide a deeper understanding of the forecasting methods and to show best practices; these lessons are applicable regardless of which forecasting software your organization uses.
The seminar also provides a great opportunity to network with your peers to discover how they’ve solved problems similar to your own and to compare notes on forecasting practices. You will be able to make valuable connections with other Forecast Pro users during breaks, lunches and at Wednesday evening’s cocktail reception which provides a relaxing environment for socializing after the first day of the seminar concludes.
Seminar attendees are eligible to receive a discount of up to $1,000 USD when licensing Forecast Pro Software.
Instructors
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Eric Stellwagen
Eric Stellwagen is
the co-founder of Business Forecast Systems, Inc. (BFS) and the co-author of the Forecast Pro software product line. With more than 30 years of expertise in the field, he regularly presents workshops and publishes on the topic of business forecasting, and is widely recognized as a leading educator on the subject. Drawing upon his extensive consulting experience helping organizations to address their forecasting challenges, Eric infuses his classes with practical approaches and uses real-world data to illustrate concepts. He has worked with many leading firms including Coca-Cola, Kraft, Merck, Nabisco, Owens-Corning and Verizon and has presented workshops for a variety of organizations including APICS, the International Institute of Forecasters (IIF), the Institute of Business Forecasting (IBF), the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), and the University of Tennessee. Eric served on the board of directors of the IIF for 12 years and is currently serving on the practitioner advisory board of Foresight: The International Journal of Applied Forecasting.Sarah Darin
Sarah Darin has
20 years of experience with statistical consulting, sales forecasting, regression modeling and marketing analytics. Sarah holds a Master’s of Science in Statistics from the University of Chicago, where she also served as a Lecturer for two years. She has consulted for clients across a broad range of industries, including Consumer Packaged Goods, Telecommunications, Technology, Retail, Automotive and Finance. Before joining BFS, Sarah was Vice President of Consulting Services at Nielsen where she focused on custom analytic solutions for the CPG and Expanded Vertical practices, teaching customers how to efficiently integrate, manage, model and forecast large-scale datasets. Sarah’s ability to understand and explain statistical concepts in the context of real-world, messy data makes her an ideal instructor for this seminar. Sarah received her undergraduate degree in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University.
Venue
- Hotel Zoe
- 425 North Point Street
- San Francisco, CA 94133
- https://www.hotelzoesf.com
- Hotel Direct: (415) 561-1100
- Reservations: (800) 648-4626
The seminar will be held at Hotel Zoe which is located in the popular Fisherman’s Wharf district of the city near Pier 39. Attendees can reserve rooms at the hotel at the discounted rate of $279 per night until August 21, 2019. Reservations can be made online by clicking here or via phone by calling (800) 648-4262 and using the code BFORECASTING
