The Fed's annual meeting in Jackson Hole kicks off today. Here's everything you need to know.

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Who is going to be there?

Who is going to be there?

The symposium hosts about 120 attendees each year, according to the Kansas City Fed. The attendees include central bankers, Federal Reserve system members, economists, financial organizations, academics, US government representatives, and members of the press.

While that sounds like a big group, the Kansas City Fed says that it limits attendance so as to "help foster open discussion that has been so critical to the symposium's success."

In 2019, as in most years, all eyes will be on the Fed chair — in this case, Jerome Powell. Other members of the Federal Open Market Committee will also be in attendance, including Esther George, president of the Kansas City Fed, one of the dissenting votes against a rate cut.

Eric Rosengren, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and another dissenting vote, will be there as well.

John Williams of New York, Charles Evans of Chicago, Patrick Harker of Philadelphia, Robert Kaplan of Dallas, Neel Kashkari of Minneapolis, and Loretta Mester of Cleveland will like ley be in attendance.

Board of Governor members Michelle Bowman, Lael Brainard, Richard Clarida, and Randal Quarles will be there as well.

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What is the event?

What is the event?

The 2019 Economic Symposium. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has hosted this symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, every year since 1978 — 40 years total. This year, the symposium is titled "Challenges for Monetary Policy."

In a press release, the Kansas City Fed wrote that "the event is known as one of the longest-standing central banking conferences, bringing together economists, financial market participants, academics, U.S. government representatives, and news media to discuss key long-term policy issues of mutual concern."

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When is this happening?

When is this happening?

The symposium starts this Thursday, August 22, and goes through Saturday, August 24. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will speak on Friday, August 23.

The annual meeting is in between the Federal Reserve's July meeting and its September meeting. It is also right after FOMC meeting minutes for July and August, which were released on Wednesday, August 21. The meeting minutes were largely mixed but clear on one thing - the rate cut in July was not the beginning of a cutting cycle.

Where is the symposium? Is it just a vacation for economists?

Where is the symposium? Is it just a vacation for economists?

The policy symposium moved permanently to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1982 and has been hosted there in the Tenth Federal Reserve District ever since. The event takes place at the Jackson Lake Lodge, which is a National Park Service facility.

In a press release, the Kansas City Fed noted that it "does not have any resort-like amenities such as a spa, exercise room or salon."

The Bank receives no special treatment from the Lodge, which is open to the rest of the public throughout the symposium.

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Why is this meeting so important this year?

Why is this meeting so important this year?

This year, the symposium has gained extra attention because of the current economic situation in the US and abroad. Investors and beyond are watching for signalling from Jerome Powell about what will happen at the Fed's September meeting.

The US bond and stock markets largely expect that there will be another rate cut, the second since the Great Recession. But how much that cut will be, and if there will be more interest rate easing, is up for debate.

Powell has drawn a lot of ire from President Trump for failing, in Trump's view, to cut rates as much and as swiftly as he wants. The president has attacked Powell in a number of tweets, and is likely to continue his crusade against the Fed even after the Jackson Hole meeting.