Organized in 1986, the Economic Club of Washington was established in recognition of the unique and critical role that Washington plays in the national and world economies and because of the Washington metropolitan area's increasing economic diversity and importance as a center of business activity.

Beginning with a membership of 100 of the area's top business and professional leaders, the Club was a immediate success and, subsequently, its membership was expanded to over 500 men and women.  Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, the Club has two primary purposes.  First, it offers a forum in which prominent business and government leaders can express their views on the most important economic issues of the day and how those issues affect the region, the Nation, and the world.  Second, and equally important, it generates and promotes a greater sense of community among business leaders, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Since the speaker series was inaugurated in 1986, the Club has presented Cabinet officers and other high officials of the U.S. and foreign governments, heads of major U.S. and foreign corporations, noted economists, leaders in the media, and authors as speakers at its events.