If your supervisor needs to learn more about the benefits of your attendance, download the “Convince your Manager” letter, make it your own, and share it with your manager.

About the Conference

Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employee-led and employer-recognized groups that join together in the workplace based on shared characteristics, life experiences or interests. ERGs provide a space for underrepresented populations to have a voice and for people with shared interests or commonalities to obtain a greater sense of belonging within the larger group. Employee Resource Groups is a common title for workplace groups, but many organizations use a different title, such as Business Resource Groups, Team Member Networks, Diversity Councils and Inclusion Groups. ERG members are ambassadors of organizations, and together, they can uniformly share company values and exhibit shared behaviors that contribute to positive workplace cultures.

Conference

The 2021 National ERG Leadership Conference connects all employees associated with ERGS, from all types of ERGs, for a collective discussion. As a united group, attendees will share best practices, discuss challenges and solutions, learn from established ERG authorities and connect with peers from various companies to create external networks. Key conference learnings equip leaders with the skills necessary to help them better ‘Lead the Way’ to healthy environments within their organizations and communities.

Who should attend

  • ERG members
  • ERG group leaders
  • ERG executive sponsors
  • Business leaders
  • Human Resource and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professionals
  • Internal groups that frequently interact and work with ERGs (Communications, Community Relations, etc.)
  • ERG experts

Everyone, at all business levels, is invited and encouraged to participate in the conversation so that multiple viewpoints are shared and that all voices are heard. the conference is designed to benefit newly established and seasoned ERGs.

Conference discussions

  • Skill building, relationship leadership, professional leadership and development
  • Intersectionality between groups
  • How to foster inclusive interactions
  • Infrastructure, management, executive sponsorship
  • Societal issues and the workplace
  • The ERG name (umbrella name and individual group names)
  • Allyship – who, what, how, when
  • Inclusion of all employees (office, remote, manufacturing sites, etc.)
  • Business alignment and collaboration with strategic functions
  • Best practices, company-shared key learnings and initiatives
  • Internal and external collaborations
  • Cultural competency
  • Commitment recognition and compensation
  • Creating true partnerships between groups and the business

Conference format

The conference consists of three hours on two days to accommodate work schedules and allow for impactful discussions. Speakers and breakout discussion leaders represent national organizations, diverse populations and foster a safe place where sensitive topics are openly reviewed. Session formats include:

  • Panel discussions
  • Lightening talks (10-minutes)
  • Presenter conversations
  • ERG-specific small group breakout sessions
  • General breakout sessions
  • Leadership breakout sessions
  • Best practice highlights

In-Person Reception

The Research Triangle Park DEI Collective is sponsoring an in-person reception at the close of the conference in RTP, NC. All attendees are invited to attend and can confirm registration during the conference registration process.

  • Date: Thursday, October 14, 2021
  • Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
  • Location: RTP Frontier, 700 Park Offices, RTP, NC
  • Attire: Business casual
  • Food/Beverages: Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, water

About the Conference

Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employee-led and employer-recognized groups that join together in the workplace based on shared characteristics, life experiences or interests. ERGs provide a space for underrepresented populations to have a voice and for people with shared interests or commonalities to obtain a greater sense of belonging within the larger group. Employee Resource Groups is a common title for workplace groups, but many organizations use a different title, such as Business Resource Groups, Team Member Networks, Diversity Councils and Inclusion Groups. ERG members are ambassadors of organizations, and together, they can uniformly share company values and exhibit shared behaviors that contribute to positive workplace cultures.

Conference

The 2021 National ERG Leadership Conference connects all employees associated with ERGS, from all types of ERGs, for a collective discussion. As a united group, attendees will share best practices, discuss challenges and solutions, learn from established ERG authorities and connect with peers from various companies to create external networks. Key conference learnings equip leaders with the skills necessary to help them better ‘Lead the Way’ to healthy environments within their organizations and communities.

Who should attend

  • ERG members
  • ERG group leaders
  • ERG executive sponsors
  • Business leaders
  • Human Resource and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professionals
  • Internal groups that frequently interact and work with ERGs (Communications, Community Relations, etc.)
  • ERG experts

Everyone, at all business levels, is invited and encouraged to participate in the conversation so that multiple viewpoints are shared and that all voices are heard. the conference is designed to benefit newly established and seasoned ERGs.

Conference discussions

  • Skill building, relationship leadership, professional leadership and development
  • Intersectionality between groups
  • How to foster inclusive interactions
  • Infrastructure, management, executive sponsorship
  • Societal issues and the workplace
  • The ERG name (umbrella name and individual group names)
  • Allyship – who, what, how, when
  • Inclusion of all employees (office, remote, manufacturing sites, etc.)
  • Business alignment and collaboration with strategic functions
  • Best practices, company-shared key learnings and initiatives
  • Internal and external collaborations
  • Cultural competency
  • Commitment recognition and compensation
  • Creating true partnerships between groups and the business

Conference format

The conference consists of three hours on two days to accommodate work schedules and allow for impactful discussions. Speakers and breakout discussion leaders represent national organizations, diverse populations and foster a safe place where sensitive topics are openly reviewed. Session formats include:

  • Panel discussions
  • Lightening talks (10-minutes)
  • Presenter conversations
  • ERG-specific small group breakout sessions
  • General breakout sessions
  • Leadership breakout sessions
  • Best practice highlights

In-Person Reception

The Research Triangle Park DEI Collective is sponsoring an in-person reception at the close of the conference in RTP, NC. All attendees are invited to attend and can confirm registration during the conference registration process.

  • Date: Thursday, October 14, 2021
  • Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
  • Location: RTP Frontier, 700 Park Offices, RTP, NC
  • Attire: Business casual
  • Food/Beverages: Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, water