Jackson Hole Economic Symposium
Overview
The Jackson Hole Economic Symposium is an annual central-banking conference sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. It began in 1978 and has been held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, since 1981. The event brings together central bankers, finance ministers, academics, and market participants to discuss a single, timely economic policy topic each year.
Purpose and format
- Objective: Foster open, focused discussion on an important global economic or policy issue.
- Structure: The host selects a yearly theme; invited experts write and present research related to that theme. Presentations, papers, and full transcripts are compiled into proceedings and made publicly available (online and in print) at no cost.
- Size and selection: Attendance is limited (roughly 120 participants), chosen for topical relevance and regional diversity. Select media are invited; the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City charges an attendance fee to cover event expenses.
Typical attendees
- Heads and senior officials of central banks
- Finance ministers and government officials
- Academic economists and researchers
- Senior figures from financial institutions and markets
- Select journalists
Notable past themes (examples)
- 2018 — “Changing Market Structures and Implications for Monetary Policy”: Examined the market power of large technology firms and potential antitrust implications for competition and macroeconomic outcomes.
- 2016 — “Designing Resilient Monetary Policy Frameworks for the Future”: Looked at central-bank responses after the global financial crisis, including low interest rates and expanded balance sheets (large-scale asset purchases).
- 1984 — “Price Stability and Public Policy”: Focused on inflation control and the role of interest-rate policy in maintaining price stability.
Why it matters
- Policy influence: Remarks and research presented at Jackson Hole can shape central-bank thinking and influence financial markets—unexpected commentary from prominent speakers often attracts market attention.
- Research dissemination: Proceedings provide timely access to new policy research and debates among top economists and policymakers.
- Networking and consensus-building: The small, curated setting encourages candid exchanges that can inform long-term policy decisions.
Bottom line
The Jackson Hole Economic Symposium is a longstanding, high-profile forum where leading policymakers and researchers convene to tackle a focused economic policy question each year. Its proceedings and discussions are a key resource for understanding evolving central-bank views and potential shifts in monetary policy.