Why does the Cleveland Fed host a Policy Summit?

The Policy Summit is an important event for the Federal Reserve because we’re a convener, and we provide a neutral base for people to have conversations. We work with practitioners, researchers, academics, policymakers, and we’re able to bring all of those stakeholders to the table.

The Policy Summit supports the work of community development because we act on what those in attendance say they need more (and less) of. We used feedback from those at the Policy Summit in 2017 to develop this year’s agenda; for example, attendees wanted additional time built into the event, generally, and more networking opportunities so they can discuss issues with others who are grappling with the same challenges. We added those. Also this year, our program combines researchers with practitioners in breakout sessions; in years past, researchers presented certain sessions and practitioners presented others.

What hasn’t changed is our expectation that this year’s event from June 19 to June 21 will foster a robust policy discussion. An administrator from a Toledo agency told us after our last biennial event that the quantitative information he hears on an issue at the Policy Summit is enlightening. It’s evidence, he said, that is critically important for him. In his line of work, he said, he hears a lot from the heart. That doesn’t mean that our sessions dismiss the heart, but data can quantify why people need to take action.

This is the 14th convening of the Policy Summit, and I think our numbers speak for themselves. What began as a small gathering of 40 stakeholders in the Cleveland Fed auditorium has grown to an event that attracts more than 300 attendees. This year is the first time the event is being held in Cincinnati. Join us.