A summit meeting is a conference or gathering of high-rank executives that aims to resolve issues and find workable solutions. This is usually done by having in-depth discussions centered around a single topic or issue. The attendees are considered to be the best and most respected individuals in their industry, so a summit is typically more formal than a convention.
The most important aspect of a summit is to ensure that the participants leave with tangible outcomes. This can be achieved by allowing people to ask questions and share ideas during the event, and it is advisable to create a list of all the points that were discussed throughout the session. These lists can then be used for a post-event debriefing session where the attendees can talk about all the different aspects of the summit.
Summits can have a profound influence on inter-state relations, especially when they are between the main contending powers of the time. They have been credited with helping to establish a new era of consensus and understanding between the major countries after the Cold War. However, it is also commonly believed that the perceived failure of a summit to produce measurable results damages inter-state relations and has a negative impact on political leaders, who are frequently blamed for the lack of tangible results from a summit. This is why it is a good idea to use summit meetings as an opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with other governments.