The Salihli-Sart Money Congress, with the theme "From Lydia to the Digital Age: Money, Banking, and Finance," commenced at the Artemis Temple in Sardis, the capital of the Lydia Kingdom, which was the first civilization to mint coins. After the opening ceremony of the congress, which will last throughout the day, guests had the opportunity to mint their own coins using the same technique that was employed 2,600 years ago when the world's first coins were minted in the historical city. The Artemis Temple in the ancient city of Sardis, located in Salihli, Manisa, one of the most significant ancient cities among the world's ancient cities and the birthplace of coinage, hosted the opening of the Salihli-Sart Money Congress. The congress, organized in collaboration with Salihli Municipality and Manisa Celal Bayar University, was attended by Manisa Governor Yaşar Karadeniz, CBÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ataç, deputy rectors, Salihli District Governor Mehmet Kamil Sağlam, Ahmetli District Governor Abdullah Kurt, Salihli Mayor Zeki Kayda, Manisa Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism İbrahim Sudak, Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Advisor Azmi Açıkdil, Aigai Excavation Director Yusuf Sezgin, academicians, bankers, and other invited guests. In his opening speech at the congress, Salihli Mayor Zeki Kayda emphasized the extension of the Kula Geopark in Salihli and the formation of the Geopark Municipalities Union in collaboration with the Mayor of Kula and the Mayor of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality. He highlighted the significance of introducing the city within the framework of the promotion of the region, mentioning the Lidya Gold Country International Gold Gemology and Jewelry Symposium held in 2015, which aimed to promote the historical area where the first coin was minted 2,600 years ago. Mayor Kayda expressed the ambition to make Salihli synonymous with money, similar to the way Jackson Hole is associated with banking. He stated, "Why can't Salihli be a Jackson Hole every year? Moreover, we have a feature that Jackson Hole doesn't have—the first place where metal money was used by humanity. Our importance lies in making Salihli a city branded with money in various fields, just like in other areas. Today, with this congress, we take the first step. I believe this is a historic congress." CBÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ataç expressed the university's attempt to compensate for the interruption in the activities that started in Manisa in 2015. He envisioned an annual gathering in Salihli where the authorities influencing Turkey's monetary policies could convene and make significant announcements concerning the country's economy. Manisa Governor Yaşar Karadeniz pointed out that although Manisa excels in agriculture and industry, the same success has not been achieved in tourism. He emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts to promote high-potential areas as tourism zones and connecting them to improve tourism. The opening ceremony concluded with a guitar recital presented by students of Salihli Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences in the enchanting atmosphere of the Artemis Temple. After the speeches, plaques were presented to those who contributed to the congress. Finally, using the ancient coin minting technique, guests minted their own coins with the date 600 BC inscribed, featuring the image of the Lydia Lion on the obverse. Following a tour of the Artemis Temple, the guests left the area.