Speaker FAQ

Information for Speakers

Thank you for participating in the Atlanta Fed's 29th annual Financial Markets Conference, to be held May 18–21, 2025. The conference is the Atlanta Fed's signature policy and research conference, which convenes leading experts to discuss emerging financial market issues and their monetary policy implications.

This page contains important details for all conference speakers. We will update it periodically ahead of the conference. You will receive emails from your point of contact, Kimberly Zeh, asking you to review new information relevant to you when it is posted.

Federal Reserve Bank Point of Contact

For questions before or during the conference about logistics, scheduling, or technical support, contact Kimberly Zeh at 404-312-4827 or kimberly.zeh@atl.frb.org.

Keynote, Panelist, and Moderator Checklist

• Your primary point of contact for planning purposes and onsite at the conference is Kimberly Zeh. Prior to the conference, you can reach her at (404) 498-8892 and kimberly.zeh@atl.frb.org. After May 16, she can be reached at (404) 312-4827.
• Email your current bio and a high-resolution photo (.png or .jpeg) to Kimberly at kimberly.zeh@atl.frb.org.
• Sign and return the photo/video release form to Kimberly.
• Send Kimberly your travel dates. The Atlanta Fed will arrange your hotel accommodations. You will receive an email with your confirmation number. (Note that payment for any hotel nights outside of May 18, 19, or 20 will be your responsibility.)
• Register for the conference at https://cvent.me/Ymvrx5. From the "Registration Type" dropdown, choose "Speaker." On the Order Summary page, enter SPEAK in the discount code field, which will waive the registration fee.
• Complete the Speaker Travel Information form sent to you by Kimberly with your preferred flights to and from Jacksonville International airport (JAX), and send it to kimberly.zeh@atl.frb.org.
• Send Kimberly any additional travel receipts before, during, or after the conference. Ideally, we would like to have all your receipts no later than June 5, 2025.

If you're using slides, send your presentation in PowerPoint format to Kimberly by noon (ET) May 15, 2025.

On the day of your presentation, please:

• Arrive at the technology table at the back of the ballroom at least 15 minutes prior to your session's start time to receive your lavalier microphone. (The transmitter is usually clipped onto clothing or placed in the speaker's pocket.)
• Dress so you will be comfortable on a tall stool (panelists) or an armchair (keynote Q&A) and in full view of the audience.
• Review the panelist speaking order and confirm it with Kimberly.

An Overview of Event Logistics

Conference Venue and Hotel

Omni Hotel Amelia Island
39 Beach Lagoon Road
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

The conference takes place in the Amelia Ballroom and the Amelia Foyer. See the conference room floor plan.

Weather

Average temperatures this time of year range from lows in the mid-70s to highs in the upper 80s. Humidity is moderate. For more information, go to weather.com.

Airport and Ground Transportation

The closest airport is Jacksonville International Airport in Jacksonville, Florida. The drive from the airport to the hotel takes approximately 40 minutes. The hotel does not provide transportation in either direction.

To get to the hotel from the airport

Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are available around the clock from the airport. Below are some local transportation options. Please contact vendors to confirm availability and rates:

• Dana's Limousine and Transportation Service: (904) 744-3333
• East Coast Transportation: (904) 525-8600
• EZ Airport Service: (904) 741-3740
• Terry Transportation: (904) 535-8294
• zTrip Jacksonville: (904) 222-2222
• ECar Jax: (904) 537-5820

To get to the airport from the hotel on May 21

It can be very difficult, if not impossible, to book Uber or Lyft from the hotel to the airport. After the conference on May 21, complimentary coach bus transportation from the hotel to the airport will be provided. Buses will depart at 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon.

Attire

Sunday evening's reception will be held outside. The weather should be warm. Reception attire is resort/smart casual, and comfortable (flat) shoes are recommended. The remainder of the conference will be business/business casual attire. The conference center tends to be cold. We recommend that attendees bring/plan for "layers" given the heat outside, and the air conditioning inside.

On the day of your session, dress so you will be comfortable on a tall stool (panelists) or an armchair (keynote Q&A) with your entire body visible to the audience. Also be mindful that the lavalier microphone will be clipped on, and the transmitter is usually clipped onto clothing or placed in the speaker's pocket.

Session Arrival Time

Please visit the technology table in the back of the ballroom at least 15 minutes prior to your session to receive your lavalier microphone.

If you encounter any challenges, please contact Kimberly Zeh immediately at 404-312-4827 or kimberly.zeh@atl.frb.org.

Attendees

We expect 120 to 130 senior-level financial markets professionals and policymakers to attend the conference. All conference sessions will also be livestreamed on the Atlanta Fed's YouTube channel and recorded for later viewing.

Media

Media will attend in person and via the livestream. If you have questions about media, please contact Karen Mracek at karen.mracek@atl.frb.org.

Media rules of engagement

Everything in the conference's official proceedings is on the record, including audience questions and responses. Conversations during breaks, meals, and other conversations around the conference are off the record unless agreed upon by both the reporter and the source.

Conference App and Mobile

For a multimedia experience, we encourage you to download the conference app Attendee Hub to access the agenda, speaker bios, and, during the live sessions, and to ask panelists questions during live sessions.

1. Search for and download 'Cvent Events' in your Android or Apple App Store.
2. Once downloaded, open the app 'Cvent Events' and search for the event Financial Markets Conference.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts, which include entering your first name, last name, and email address (use the email you registered with).
4. Next, you will be asked to enter a verification code. Depending on your preference, this will be sent to either the phone number or email you included in your registration.
5. Phone verification is recommended as email may take longer or get caught in your spam/other folder.
6. Once your verification is complete, proceed to log into the Attendee Hub.

Need help logging into the hub? Use this FAQ for additional tips and tricks.

If you are a panel moderator, an iPad with the Q&A platform will be on stage for your use. On the iPad, you will open the session you are moderating and select questions for your speaker or panelists. If you are an attendee, you will scan the QR code on the table with your phone, open a session, and submit or vote for questions.

Afternoon Activities

Monday and Tuesday afternoons include time for networking and a variety of activities both on and off the Omni Hotel property. Use the links below to register and pay for any of these activities directly with the hotel. (If you need to cancel, please email tracye.seales@omnihotels.com by May 12.)

Monday, May 19

Fernandina Beach Drive and Shop Around (3:00–5:00 p.m.)
Meet in the lobby of the Omni at 2:45 p.m., and a shuttle will take you to the Downtown Historic District for shopping and sightseeing. At 4:45 p.m., the shuttle will return you to the hotel. Please register for the Fernandina Beach excursion by May 15. Cost is $31.50 per person.

Tuesday, May 20

Golf Outing at Little Sandy (3:00 p.m.)
Little Sandy features 10 holes nestled around Red Maple Lake, ranging from 30 to 125 yards, and an 18-hole putting course. The course offers an idyllic setting as nearly all holes are played along Red Maple Lake. Please register for the golf outing by May 15. (To cancel your registration, call the Little Sandy Pro Shop at (904) 277-5910 no later than May 16 to avoid cancellation fees.) The cost is $55.64 per golfer and includes event fee, clubs, and tax.

Island History and Ecology Tour (3:00 p.m.)
During this customized ecology tour, you'll learn about the three different ecosystems found on the island—the maritime forest, the beach, and the marsh—and how each contributes to the vitality of the island and its inhabitants. You will ride in golf carts and take some walks, so comfortable footwear is a must. Please register for the island tour by May 15. The cost is $69.30 per person.

Things to Do

To explore what's available at the hotel, visit the hotel website.

You can also explore some of the island's attractions:

• Pedego Amelia Island: Tour the island on an electric bike.
• A.L. Lewis Museum: Explore the legacy of Florida's historic African American beach. You can also learn about MaVynee Betsch, the great granddaughter of the museum's founder, and her efforts to preserve the beach.
• Amelia Schoolhouse Inn: Celebrate the area's history at this schoolhouse built in 1886, and try out the Principal's Office for a lesson in mixology.

Social Media Messaging

We invite you to share our posts on LinkedIn and Threads. Use #FedFMC and promote with your contacts and channels.