Economic Forecasting - US economy in 2001

Information Outlook, March, 2001

The membership base is projected to reach 15,000 in 2002. The growth will be sustained by placing valuable member benefits and services behind "closed doors"--the members only site and by creating brand identity with new segments of the information profession. While the projections represent a 3% to 5% growth rate over the 2001 projections, the shortfall from the aggressive FY 2001 budget will be 1,000 members or $120,000.

The USPS projects losses for 2001 and the losses could worsen as mail volume starts declining, largely because of the growing use of e-mail and e-commerce and even consolidations among banks that traditionally have been major Postal Service customers.

Staff will continue to monitor and revise these assumptions as necessary as the Association Program Plan for 2002 is developed. Any revisions will be reported to the board in the program plan.