On December 3, 2008, the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston held its fourth annual policy symposium, Employing the Region's Assets: Baby Boomers Meeting New England's Skilled Workforce Needs. The conference explored the role that older professionals can play in meeting the region’s labor force needs over the next 20 to 30 years. Presenters investigated the changing demographic and labor force trends in New England and the U.S. and examined what employers, employees, and the public sector can do to lengthen the labor force participation of the population age 55 and older.