Convening an ACN Member Group
Guidelines and Guidance

We are delighted you are considering hosting ACN members! Convenings—virtual and in-person—are a key benefit of membership. These convenings:

• Build and deepen relationships, leading to referrals and building of consulting teams
• Increase trust and allow exploration of sensitive topics
• Share knowledge and ideas

This short document is intended to make it easy to host a convening. It includes what to consider when bringing together a group of ACN members on a one-time or ongoing basis.
Please note that events need to be reviewed by program committee cochairs to ensure consistency with our brand promise and alignment with our overall calendar. If possible, we suggest that events are submitted at least six weeks ahead of time so they can be properly promoted for everyone’s success.

Why?

Always start with the convening’s purpose. By thinking through the purpose, you will be more successful in considering a venue (including whether/how virtual will work), structure, timing, promotion, etc. For example:

• If networking is the key goal, build in ample time for introductions.
• If exploration of issues specific to a subgroup of consultants is the key purpose, clearly defining the topic can help others contribute and benefit from taking part.

Where?

Decide if it will be virtual or in-person. If in-person, choose a place that your intended participants can get to easily, including by public transit. If you choose a bar or restaurant, see if they have space you can reserve without paying a fee.

When?

Pick your date and time. Breakfasts, lunches and after-work are popular. ACN program committee co-chairs will review your selected date to minimize conflicts with other events.

Who?

We will promote your event to the ACN membership list. Make sure you are clear in your language about who it’s for – all members or targeted to a subgroup. This guide is intended to cover member-focused convenings. Hosts may decide to allow prospective members to join one time to explore ACN but that is anticipated to be the only non-member extension of this type of convening.

What?

Member convenings come in many flavors. Generally, the whole membership sees the invites and self-selects.

Pop-up Convenings

Pop-ups are easy to arrange. Do you have a topic you’d like to discuss? Are you interested in meeting ACN members who live and work in a certain area? Pop-ups have been arranged with focuses such as:

• Geography: For members who live or work in the same area.
• Practice-Area: For people who do similar/related types of work, such as strategic planning, marketing, etc. -
• Purpose or Subject Matter: For people who are focused on a part of the sector, such as health, conservation, arts, etc.

All of these events may be casual networking type gatherings OR you may choose a relevant topic.

ACN Circles

Groups that meet on any ongoing basis, typically organized by members that share business interests related to a demographic or corporate descriptor. ACN Circles are intended to be forums for members to empower each other with a diversity of thinking, knowledge, shared experience, perspective, support, intentional networking, business development, and inspiration. They are organic, meaning they thrive if/while a group of members wants them and organizes them.

• Examples: Working Parents, Early Stage Consultants, Seasoned Practices, Multicultural, LGBTQ+, AI-Learners

Topics should focus on interests and needs that are at least relatively unique to the ACN Circle. If you have an “all-member” topic to suggest, please bring it up with the program committee chairs.

What’s next?

Fill out this form, preferably at least 6 weeks before the event. It will go to our program cochairs who will do a quick check of alignment with ACN purpose and branding, as well as with the event calendar. Next, it will go to the admin team and visibility committee for promotion.

Any questions?

Write the program committee chairs!