In all industries there are conferences, but some become the place to be if you are in that industry. If you are an economist, then Jackson Hole was the place to be in August.

In an article by Jeanna Smialek of the New York Times News Service, the reporter was wondering why Jackson Hole as opposed to other places? Jackson Hole is located 55 miles from Jackson, Wyoming in the valley of the Teton mountains. It has a large conference facility in a western theme.

In the 1920’s when Jackson Hole had 300 people, it was the place to go for outlaws to be hide from the law.

Due to the location and the conservationist era, John D Rockefeller Jr. bought great amounts of land, built a lodge and donated the lands to the Grand Teton National Park.

In 1982, the Kansas City Fed was looking for a location to hold a conference and liked Jackson Hole. The conference had begun in 1978 permanently moved to Jackson Hole. The attendees liked the location and many economists have gathered over the years.

Now days, Jackson Hole has about 11,000 people and for the 120 economists speaking or just attending means your star is on the rise or is the place to be seen.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, when you invest in quality your star always rises. The example of Jackson Hole is a conference, but it is about ideas about where the economy is going and why. When you invest in a profitable company which can pay dividends through the market cycles investors realize the profits are consistent and that makes it more valuable to own for the long term.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.