This is an association town as much as a government town, and at a lunch in DC held by Bisnow for top association execs to talk about the economy a few days before the government shutdown participants weren’t seeing growth.

Consumer Data Industry Association CEO Stuart Pratt said consumers are getting better at understanding changes in the economy but it means they spend less and save more.

Heidrick & Struggles practice leader Julian Ha said that companies, generally, are not increasing their employee base and large organizations are trying to get more productivity from middle managers and junior level employees.

American Forest & Paper Association CEO Donna Harman reported that her member companies have cleaned up their balance sheets, are holding onto cash and are concerned about pending federal regulations affecting the paper industry.

According to Manufacturers Alliance Stephen Gold  most of the association execs at the lunch say the economy is split between people who think things are looking better and those who are bracing for tougher conditions.