National Association for Business Economics

National Association for Business Economics
Name	National Association for Business Economics
Founded	0 1959
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Key people	Michele Raneri (President, 2023-2024)
Focus	Economics, Business economics, Economic policy
Website	https://www.nabe.com/

National Association for Business Economics. It is a premier professional organization in the United States dedicated to the application of economics in the business world. Founded in 1959, the association serves as a critical forum where professionals from corporations, government agencies, academia, and consulting can exchange ideas and analysis. Its mission centers on promoting the use of sound economic principles in decision-making and providing leadership in the understanding of market-based economies.

History

The organization was established in 1959 by a group of economists seeking to create a professional community focused on the practical application of economic analysis within the private sector. Early leadership included figures from major corporations and Federal Reserve banks, who helped shape its role as a bridge between academic theory and business practice. A significant early milestone was its instrumental role in the formation of the National Bureau of Economic Research's Business Cycle Dating Committee, which authoritatively dates recessions in the United States. Over the decades, it has expanded its influence, regularly providing expert testimony before committees of the United States Congress and fostering dialogue on critical issues like monetary policy, fiscal policy, and international trade.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to advance the use of economics in both private and public-sector decision-making. Key activities include conducting and disseminating original economic research through surveys like the widely cited NABE Outlook Survey, which polls members on business conditions and expectations. The association actively engages in public policy discourse, with its members frequently contributing analysis to media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News. It also provides extensive professional development resources, including certification programs and continuing education, to enhance the expertise of applied economists working in institutions like JPMorgan Chase, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Microsoft.

Publications

The association maintains a robust publications program to disseminate economic insights. Its flagship journal, *Business Economics*, is a peer-reviewed quarterly featuring articles on applied economics, forecasting, and market analysis. The *NABE Outlook* provides a summary of the collective projections from its regular survey of member economists. Other significant publications include *NABE Policy Survey* reports, which capture members' views on current policy issues, and various special reports and monographs. These publications are often cited by policymakers at the Federal Open Market Committee and researchers at institutions like the Brookings Institution.

Leadership and governance

Governance is vested in an elected Board of Directors, which includes representatives from diverse sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and technology. The board is led by a President who serves a one-year term; recent presidents have included economists from prominent firms like TransUnion and Grant Thornton LLP. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive director and a professional staff based in Washington, D.C.. The association also relies on numerous committees, such as the Financial Markets Committee and the Industry Survey Committee, to guide its programs and policy positions, ensuring alignment with the professional interests of its membership.

Awards and recognition

The association confers several prestigious awards to honor excellence in the field. The most notable is the NABE Outlook Award (formerly the Outlook Award), which recognizes the most accurate economic forecast over a two-year period among its members. The NABE Fellow Award is bestowed upon members for distinguished contributions to the profession and the organization. Additional accolades include the NABE Contributed Paper Award for outstanding articles submitted to its conferences and the NABE Service Award for exceptional volunteer leadership. These awards highlight achievements that influence economic thinking within organizations like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Conferences and events

It hosts major conferences that are key gatherings for the economics profession. The flagship event is the annual NABE Annual Meeting, which features addresses by leading figures such as the Chair of the Federal Reserve or the Secretary of the Treasury. The association also organizes the NABE Economic Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., focusing on legislative and regulatory issues. Numerous specialized workshops, webinars, and roundtables are held throughout the year, covering topics from big data analytics to the economic impacts of climate change, attracting participants from Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and federal agencies like the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Category:Economic organizations based in the United States Category:Professional associations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Organizations established in 1959