Fed Listens

Fed Listens 2022 Event

The St. Louis Fed’s 2022 Fed Listens event, Perspectives on the Pandemic Recovery, was held Feb. 10 as part of our continuous outreach efforts. The virtual roundtable discussion hosted by President Jim Bullard and other leaders featured representatives of industries distinct from the St. Louis Fed's advisory councils, allowing for broader input on conditions facing stakeholders in the Eighth Federal Reserve District.

Leaders from small businesses, public school districts, child care, labor unions and workforce development organizations shared their views on pandemic-related economic issues. The discussion covered four major areas

Labor market conditions
Supply chain disruptions and pricing
Industry outlooks
Economic equity issues

Read about the 2022 event in this recap article: ‘Main Street’ Talks Long-Term Pandemic Cons—and Some Pros.

Fed Listens 2019 Event

In 2019, the Federal Reserve initiated a yearlong effort to assess its monetary policy strategy, tools and communication practices. This includes gathering input from diverse stakeholders and constituents at Fed Listens events being held in all 12 Reserve Bank districts. On Sept. 4 of that year, the St. Louis Fed event assembled members of the Bank’s advisory councils, representing a geographically and industry-diverse group of stakeholders from the states that are part of the Fed’s Eighth District:

After lunch and brief welcoming remarks by Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman (view Bowman's remarks) and St. Louis Fed President Jim Bullard (view Bullard's remarks), each council met in a working session to discuss their views on several topics—including the economy, the job market, inflation, interest rates and Fed communications—as well as their specific industries. In a closing plenary, each council reported out on their discussions and took questions from Bowman and Bullard.

Read about the 2019 event in this report to the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors (PDF).