2011 Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium: The Facts

Sunday, August 21, 2011

2011 Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium: The Facts

The key event in central banking, and certainly the mind of the markets, for this week will be Ben Bernanke's "Jackson Hole speech" scheduled to take place Friday the 26th of August at 10am ET. The regular event is where US Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, in 2010 introduced the idea of a second round of quantitative easing (aka QE2). Naturally this has driven a lot of speculation about what he may say this time; certainly if nothing else, it will provide an insight into what the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) is thinking about the US economy, and how it is factoring that into its policy making. Listed below are some of the key facts that have been released on the 2011 symposium so far:

What: Economic Policy Symposium
Where: Jackson Lake Lodge, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
When: Ben Bernanke will speak at 10am ET on Friday the 26th of August (the Symposium runs from 25th-27th of August)
Who is attending: Central Bankers, Finance Ministers, Academics, Financial Market Participants (see 2010 attendance list)
What is the theme: The theme has not been released yet, there will likely be due emphasis on sovereign debt and alternative policy tools
When is the next FOMC meeting: 20 September 2011 (the 9th of August FOMC meeting minutes are scheduled for release on the 30th of August)

The History of Jackson Hole:
"Each year since 1978, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has sponsored a symposium on an important economic issue facing the U.S. and world economies. Symposium participants include prominent central bankers, finance ministers, academics, and financial market participants from around the world. The participants convene to discuss the economic issues, implications, and policy options pertaining to the symposium topic. The symposium proceedings include papers, commentary, and discussion."

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