A summit meeting is a gathering of professionals, leaders of business or organizations, and other thought leaders to discuss high-stakes issues and future trends. The goal is to gather diverse perspectives within a system and inspire action.
When done right, a summit is an exciting and innovative event that engages your members and ignites them to generate new ideas for change and chart a new path for your association. However, don’t be fooled: summits are a substantial investment and take a lot of planning and resources to execute.
Whether held in person or online, a successful summit requires an open and receptive mindset. Be prepared to absorb a great deal of knowledge and information throughout the duration of the event. It is important to minimize work commitments that week and avoid distractions in order to maximize the learning experience. Additionally, be sure to bring a business card and be ready to add new contacts on LinkedIn—you’ll want to leverage your event for long-term benefits for your attendees.
Once your summit has concluded, it is crucial to provide a follow-up mechanism that will enable the organization’s leadership and members to implement new insights and ideas. Consider offering workshops or a webinar on key themes discussed in the summit. Be sure to incorporate a CTA at the end of your presentation that will drive attendees to sign up for your mailing list or schedule a demo call with you. In doing so, you’ll ensure that your summit’s value extends beyond the event itself and continues to grow long after your members leave the conference room.