A summit meeting is a gathering of key stakeholders and thought leaders in an industry to discuss high-stakes issues. It’s a great way to gather a broad range of perspectives and build a foundation for systemic change or chart new directions. Summits can be an expensive endeavor and require a lot of work to plan, organize, and deliver. Ultimately, they’re a powerful tool when used at the right time and under the right conditions.
Typically, attendees of summit meetings are in a position to have a substantial impact on the industry’s direction, such as top physicians, surgeons, company executives, or government representatives. “Summits can bring together a highly-specialized group of individuals to discuss a specific topic that may influence the entire industry,” explains marketing specialist Lora Georgieva at ProExpo Services.
Summit meetings can also be beneficial in creating a strong network of industry professionals that attendees can interact with. They can exchange ideas, form connections, and even start working together on projects.
The Miami Summit created a mechanism for multilateral follow-up to Summit decisions by establishing the Summit Interamerican Follow-Up and Review Group (SIRG). It is made up of the four principal multilateral organizations that have responsibilities in implementing Summit decisions, including the Organization of American States, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Pan American Health Organization. The SIRG is part of the OAS political structure and reports to the Permanent Council.