Summits can be a great way to reward and recognise the great work of your ERGs and to plan for the year ahead. Looking to bring your people together? Here are our five top tips for hosting an effective ERG summit.
1. Define a “North Star” Purpose
Avoid hosting a summit just for the sake of it. A successful event needs a specific, unifying goal.
- The Question: Ask yourself, “What do we want people to feel and do when they leave?”
- The Strategy: Is this summit for Strategic Planning (setting goals for the year), Skill Building (professional development), or Intersectionality (connecting different groups)?
2. Secure Active Executive Sponsorship
Leadership presence signals to the company that ERG work is business-critical, not just a social club.
- Go Beyond the Pre-Record: Push for live engagement. Instead of a generic 5-minute opening speech, ask an executive to host a “Town Hall” or a vulnerable fireside chat.
- The “Listening Role”: Invite leaders to sit in on workshops, not to speak, but to listen and learn.
3. Break Down Silos with Intersectionality
The most powerful ERG summits don’t isolate groups; they bring them together.
- Shared Struggles, Shared Solutions: Host sessions on topics that affect everyone, such as Burnout Prevention, Innovation, or Influence Without Authority.
- Cross-ERG Networking: Design activities that pair members from different groups (e.g., the Veterans group working with the Young Professionals group).
4. Balance Inspiration with Action
Inspiration is the spark, but practical skills are the fuel.
- The 50/50 Rule: Aim for a balance. For every inspirational keynote, offer a tactical workshop.
- Transferable Skills: Teach skills that help members in their day jobs, such as project management, public speaking, or budgeting. This proves the ROI of the summit to managers.
5. Design for “Remote-First” Inclusion
In a hybrid world, treating remote attendees as second-class citizens undermines the very inclusivity ERGs stand for.
- Dedicated Moderators: Assign specific hosts for the virtual chat to ensure online questions are voiced in the room.
- Digital Swag: If you send physical swag to in-person attendees, ensure remote participants receive a digital equivalent (e.g., e-books, vouchers) or a “Summit Box” mailed to their homes.
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