Anchoring critical conversations about the global economy in real places, real people, and real dialogue.

This October 13-15, the Aspen Institute brings this essential forum to Oklahoma, as Aspen Ideas: Economy takes the stage in Tulsa. Through signature roundtables, unexpected mainstage pairings, and immersive experiences in and around this storied city, the three-day event sheds light on the critical issues driving and defining the global economy.

As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, 2026 also marks the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. This foundational text laid the groundwork for our modern global economy, asking critical questions that serve as Aspen Ideas: Economy’s animating throughline: Who benefits from commerce and production? What institutions allow prosperity to spread or concentrate? Are the frameworks we’ve inherited adequate to describe, let alone improve, what’s happening now? 

In an echo of Smith’s great work, our 2026 program examines “The Once and Future Wealth of Nations.”

We explore our global economy through the lens of timeless tensions: markets and government, inheritance and opportunity, growth and inclusion, innovation and stability, and wealth and democracy. Aspen Ideas: Economy invites leaders shaping policy, business, capital, and ideas to dive into these tensions and help shape the next chapter of our global economy.

Experiencing Tulsa

Tulsa is more than a historic stop along the century-old Route 66; it is a living laboratory, where the friction of a past meets the ambition of a tech-driven future. While the city confronts the legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, it is simultaneously evolving from its history as “Oil Capital of the World” into a multi-billion-dollar energy tech hub.

The area is also uniquely intertwined with the sovereign influence of the Cherokee, Muscogee, and Osage Nations, whose Tribal enterprises serve as a major engine for regional growth. Coupled with programs like Tulsa Remote, which attracts talent to the region, the city has become a premier case study for how public-private partnerships can bridge equity, energy innovation, and heritage to actively reshape the local economy.