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MEETINGS

Multiple in-person and virtual meetings each year connect members to top peers and high-profile guest speakers. Video meetings are held at least monthly and in-person meetings are hosted by members in major business cities, mostly running noon-to-noon over two days so travelers can minimize time on the road. Members choose meetings that fit their schedules. Attendance at in-person meetings is limited, which contributes to more meaningful and engaging discussion. Substitutions are not permitted.

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Recent guest speakers include:

Charles Duhigg, author and NY Times best-seller

 

Tom Bevan, co-founder and president of Real Clear Politics

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Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent, New York Times

 

The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York

 

Jim VandeHei, Founder and CEO, Axios

 

Jon Steinberg, Founder and CEO, Cheddar

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Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO, The Gallup Organization


Alan Colberg, President and CEO, Assurant, Inc.


Dana Perino, Fox News Channel contributor, former White House press secretary

 

David Faber, CNBC anchor and award-winning author

 

Bob Pisani, CNBC sr. reporter


Jim MacGregor, co-founder and vice chair, The Abernathy MacGregor Group

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2024 MEETINGS

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From one-hour Zoom calls to day-long in-person meetings, Forum-Group builds the meeting calendar throughout the year; 28 meetings were held last year. Some meetings are organized with just a few hours of notice to enable members to respond to fast-breaking news, such as the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

 

If you're in a leadership role for a large company or nonprofit and want to join the conversation, reach out to Ted Matthews at ted@forum-groupllc.com

 

  • Jan. 18, 1pm, RTO mandates hurt working moms, author and guest speaker Joanne Lipman

  • Jan. 25, 1pm, Media measurement, analytics and AI, guest speaker Natan Edelsburg of Muck Rack

  • Jan. 26, noon, Free Agents

  • Feb. 8, 12:30pm, New Edelman Trust Barometer findings, w/Chuck Kaiser from Edelman

  • Feb. 22, 1pm, Resume expert and coach Robynn Storey, for Free Agents and all members

  • March 14, Int comms and engagement challenges, member discussion

  • March 28, 1:30-7pm, Atlanta regional meeting hosted by Paul Catherwood/Capital Group

  • March 29, noon, Free Agents

  • April 18, 10am-7pm, Chicago in-person meeting hosted by Mike Aabram/Allstate Insurance

  • April 26, noon, Free Agents

  • May 2, 1:30 pm, USC-Annenberg’s Fred Cook shares latest Global Comms Report

  • June 27, noon, speed networking

  • June 28, noon, Free Agents

  • July 11, 1pm, NY Times best-seller Charles Duhigg on "Supercommunicators"

  • July 25, regional in-person Philly meeting

  • July 26, noon, Free Agents

  • Aug. 8, 1pm, contingency plans for political unrest

  • Aug 29, noon, open forum discussion

  • Aug 30, noon, Free Agents

  • Sept 19, 10am-7pm, NYC in-person meeting hosted by Paul Gennaro at NY Life

  • Sept 27, noon, Free Agents

  • Oct 10, 10am-7pm PT, CA Bay Area in-person meeting hosted by Jane Hynes at Google

  • Oct 11, 10am-2:30 pm PT, SoCal regional meeting hosted by Chris Abel at Southern Calif Edison

  • Oct 25, noon, Free Agents

  • Nov 14, Wash DC 10am – 7pm in-person meeting hosted by Christine Courard at BWX Technologies

  • Nov 22, noon, Free Agents

  • December, no meetings planned

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 AGENDA

EXAMPLE

AGENDA AND DISCUSSION

Agenda topics and guest speakers are decided with help from the host and other members, which ensures meetings are highly relevant and address members’ specific issues. Unstructured time is built in for networking and open discussion. A recent meeting agenda is below: 

 

Washington, DC Meeting, Nov. 30, 2023

(times are Eastern Zone)

 

10 am                   Members arrive, American Clean Power Association, 1501 M Street, NW, Washington, DC

                              Social time and welcome

 

HYBRID

10:20 am             Member intros, a.k.a., “what keeps me up at night”

 

HYBRID

11 am                   Seven trends driving policy and politics through 2024, guest speaker Bruce Mehlman

 

12 pm                   Lunch

 

HYBRID

1 pm                     Cybersecurity: Identifying risks, preparing and responding effectively, guest speaker Imran Ahmad

                             

HYBRID

2 pm                     Two perspectives on our industry, Rosanna Maietta and Gil Jenkins

 

                              Lightning Round

                              -Israel/Gaza messages, monitoring geopolitical risks, all

                              -Managing a talent gap, Mike Aabram

                              -Engaging employees in a hybrid work world, Shira Miller

                              -Getting traction with major market media, Brenda Andolina

                              -Taking or deferring stands on political/social issues, Brian Kosoy

                              -Others?

                              -Big budget beatdown and decision trees, if interest and time allow, Ted

 

3:45 pm               Break

 

HYBRID

4 pm                     What clients look for in prospective CCOs, guest speaker Susan Goodwin Thomas

 

5 pm                     Social hour at Dauphine’s, short walk to 1100 15th St. NW

6 pm                     Confirm w/Ted ASAP if you’re staying for dinner

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