A summit meeting is an event designed to bring people together for strategic conversations about important, high-stakes issues. Government agencies and intergovernmental organizations host the most prestigious summits, but industry associations and businesses of all sizes can reap benefits from this format.
Summits are typically structured with a set event agenda and participants attend all sessions and presentations. The audience usually is not allowed to contribute ideas, although the organizers can encourage participation through activities like roundtable discussions and networking opportunities.
For example, the CEO and executive team of a company that had fallen into a crisis might hold a summit to rally employees around new goals, restore brand loyalty and build community. The first day of the event might include presentations, exercises and breakouts. The next day might focus on developing a new strategy to communicate the brand’s value and rebuild customer trust. The final day might address ways to implement cost reduction strategies that would not affect consumer satisfaction.
Economic cooperation is another common theme at summit meetings. The negotiation of trade agreements, promotion of investment, coordination of financial policies and commitment to sustainable development are all key examples of how high-level diplomacy can shape global economic landscapes.
One of the most difficult tasks facing organizers is to help attendees understand how their contributions will translate into tangible next steps. This requires a mindset of open dialogue and suspending the need to end with tidy answers and a list of to-dos.