Speakers Bureau
As part of the Chicago Fed’s outreach and education efforts, Bank economists, researchers and subject matter experts may be available for speeches to civic, educational and nonprofit organizations. Topics include:
- Role of the Federal Reserve
- Regional/national economic outlook
- State and local government issues
- Economic and community development
- Manufacturing trends, particularly in the automotive sector
- Agricultural outlook
Speakers are generally unable to address for-profit entities.
How Do I Schedule a Speaker?
To request a speaker, fill out the speaker request form.
Speaking requests will be evaluated based on Federal Reserve blackout date schedule (see below), speaker availability, the forum and subject matter. The audience must have at least 50 people. Please submit requests at least 60 days but no more than 6 months before your event to allow sufficient time for preparation.
How Much Will It Cost?
There is no charge. However, Chicago Fed speakers are provided only for events within the Seventh Federal Reserve District, which includes Iowa and most of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. If you are outside of the Seventh District, please see the link at right to determine if another Federal Reserve Bank might be able to provide a speaker.
Is My Event Appropriate?
Our employees can speak to non-profit professional, business and civic groups and are prohibited from speaking to for-profit entities, political organizations, at political gatherings or at fundraising events. Please note that there is limited availability of our speakers and they are not available during Federal Reserve blackout periods (see below).
FOMC Blackout Periods
Federal Reserve staff, including those at the Chicago Fed, generally do not speak publicly between a week prior to the Saturday preceding a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and the Thursday following that meeting. This time is referred to as the FOMC blackout period. Blackout periods for 2023 are detailed below.
Federal Reserve blackout period:
| 2023 |
|---|
| January 21–February 2 |
| March11–23 |
| April 22–May 4 |
| June 3–15 |
| July 15–27 |
| September 9–21 |
| October 21–November 2 |
| December 2–14 |
Compensation
Chicago Fed policy prohibits Bank officers and employees from accepting gifts, honoraria or compensation. We kindly ask that you do not purchase or present any gift or memento that our speakers would be required to decline or return.
