The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Economic Policy Symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyo., is one of the longest-standing central banking conferences in the world. The event brings together economists, financial market participants, academics, U.S. government representatives and news media to discuss long-term policy issues of mutual concern.

View a timeline highlighting important moment's in the symposium's history below.

1978

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City hosted its first symposium, “World Agricultural Trade: The Potential for Growth” in Kansas City, Mo. Symposiums were then hosted in Vail and Denver, Colo., that also explored agricultural topics.

1982

The event moved to Jackson Hole, Wyo., in the northwest corner of the Tenth Federal Reserve District. Kansas City Fed President Roger Guffey invited then-Fed Chair Paul Volcker to attend the symposium titled “Monetary Policy Issues in the 1980s.” Volcker accepted the invitation and participated in the event, which, in the years that followed, was attended by his Fed successors and officials from central banks around the globe.

1985

At the time the topic was selected, the tentative title was “The High and Rising Dollar,” however, as the dollar’s value began to fall, organizers opted for a rewording of “The U.S. Dollar–Recent Developments, Outlook, and Policy Options.”

1989

Fed Chair Alan Greenspan offered central bank perspectives alongside representatives from the Bank of Canada and Deutsche Bundesbank under the theme “Monetary Policy Issues in the 1990s.” It was the first time a Fed chair had a formal role on the program, starting a trend that continues today.

1990

During this symposium, focused on “Central Banking Issues in Emerging Market-Oriented Economies,” eight Eastern Bloc nations spoke about the current environment and future challenges of their economies. Countries represented included the U.S.S.R, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia.

2005

As Chairman Greenspan’s retirement loomed, the topic “The Greenspan Era: Lessons for the Future,” drew opposing conclusions about the legacy of one of the longest tenured chairmen in Fed history.

2007

The theme “Housing, Housing Finance and Monetary Policy” was viewed by some invitees as boring at the time of its announcement. However, when the event kicked off in August, the housing market had collapsed, making this topic both relevant and timely.

Today

Given the role of central banks in today’s global economic environment, the symposium continues to explore relevant topics that affect many. Transcripts of the proceedings are available each year, providing a public record of the discussions.