SCHEDULE

*Schedule subject to change

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION

In-Person Date/Time: Tuesday, September 19, 2023; 1:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Virtual Date/Time: Tuesday, September 26, 2023; 1:00 – 5:00 PM ET

  • Workshops are optional add-on activities: $205.00
  • Concurrent workshops (select one)

Option 1 – New and Early-Stage ERG Workshop
Description: ERG and DEI professionals will provide guidance on creation, structure, purpose, priorities, implementation, leadership, challenges and business alignment.
Format: Instruction, group discussions, Q&A, exercises
Workshop Leads:

Option 2– Advanced ERG Workshop
Description: This workshop is designed for ERG members and groups with mature and advanced status and longevity. ERG and DEI professionals will lead discussions on ‘what’s next’ and how to elevate individual and group growth, outreach, collaboration, and impact. Participants will have the opportunity to submit discussion topics.
Format: Instruction, group discussions, Q&A, exercises
Workshop Leads:

CONFERENCE

IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION

  • In-Person Date/Time: Wednesday, September 20, 2023; 9am-5pm ET
  • Virtual Date/Time: Wednesday & Thursday, September 27 & 28, 2023; 1-4:30pm ET
    • Virtual Conference Schedule:
      • Wednesday, September 27: Sessions 1-5
      • Thursday, September 28: Sessions 6-11

Opening, Welcome

Table Assignment: Random assignment, rotation 1
9:00 – 9:11 AM ET
Speakers:

Session 1

9:11 – 9:35 AM ET
Title: Rewarding and recognizing ERG leaders
Description: ERGs are highly beneficial to individuals and organizations. How can organizations value ERG leaders’ work through recognition and rewards? How can ERG leaders spotlight their committee chairs?
Format: Panel, breakout session
Speaker:

SESSION 2

9:35 – 9:50 AM ET
Title: Inclusive leadership
Description: Inclusive leadership involves valuing and actively seeking diverse perspectives, fostering an environment where every individual feels respected and empowered to contribute. It entails promoting equitable opportunities, enabling collaboration, and driving organizational success through a cohesive and representative team.
Format: Lightening Talk
Speakers:

SESSION 3

9:50 – 10:30 AM ET
Title: How to leverage ERG professional development opportunities
Description: Inclusion in ERGs yields personal and professional growth opportunities. Learn how to identify leadership skills obtained and incorporate them into your work, and build relationships across the organization, to grow your career.
Format: Panel, breakout discussion
Speakers:

Break 1

10:30 – 10:50 AM ET
Table Assignment: Same/Similar ERG assignment, rotation 2

SESSION 4

10:50 – 11:40 AM ET
Title: Thrive with internal and external partnerships
Description: ERGs can best achieve success when they partner with internal and external groups. Internal collaborations make the workplace more inclusive by including diverse viewpoints and expertise, helping ERGs and the business reach goals, leading to innovation and improved decision-making. These partnerships also extend ERGs’ impact beyond the organization, creating meaningful connections with communities, industry peers, and stakeholders, leading to a broader societal influence and positive change.
Format: Panel, breakout discussion
Speakers:

SESSION 5

11:40 AM – 12:11 PM ET
Title: ERG’s influence on products and services
Description: Through a partnership with marketing teams, ERGs can provide insights to help grow the customer base, expand market share, and increase profits. ERGs can contribute to the conversation and offer ideas and solutions targeted to specific groups and/or efforts, creating innovative results. This session highlights successful partnership examples from multiple organizations.
Format: Fireside chat
Speakers:

Lunch, Break 2

12:11 – 12:55 PM ET

Table Assignment: Random assignment, rotation 3

SESSION 6 – KEYNOTE

12:55 – 1:31 PM ET
Title: AI for good
Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming many areas of our lives and is changing the way business is conducted. How are organizations using AI, and are there usage opportunities for ERGs?
Format: Keynote Panel
Speaker:

SESSION 7

1:31 – 1:52 PM ET
Title: Communicating ERG value through storytelling
Description: Through the art of storytelling, learn how to articulate the impact of ERGs, make personal connections, and get the resources you need. Storytelling inspires action, engages audiences, helps drive conversations, and provides ERG members with a platform to share their messages in a well-received manner.
Format: Lightening Talk
Speaker:

Session 8

1:52 – 2:41 PM ET
Title: Increase your ERG engagement utilizing innovative marketing strategies
Description: Communication with your members and a greater employee base is critical to achieving success. Learn how to implement marketing strategies to deploy your communication and increase engagement. Learn how to incorporate a “Creative Strategy Roadmap” that focuses on internal stakeholders, and how Pfizer invested in a complete marketing strategy aimed at their employees and achieved success.
Format: Fireside chat
Speaker:

Break 3

2:41 – 3:03 PM ET
Table Assignment: Same/Similar ERG assignment, rotation 4

Session 9

3:03 – 3:48 PM ET
Title: The benefits of ERG annual planning
Description: The creation of an annual plan allows ERGs to define the coming year’s goals, identify and obtain resources, assign responsibilities, create marketing and communications plans, and track and report progress. Advanced planning allows for greater inclusion and maximum engagement. This session explores the components of annual planning and the importance of plans as a collective ERG community.
Format: Fireside chat, breakout discussion
Speakers:

Session 10

3:48 – 4:29 PM ET
Title:  ERG engagement with executive leadership
Description: A benefit of serving in a lead ERG role is the opportunity to engage with your organization’s executive leadership team. Learn how to communicate with leaders through key talking points that allow you to share the impact your group makes on individuals and the organization.
Format: Panel, table exercise
Speakers:

Session 11

4:29 – 5:00 PM ET
Title:  Leading with care
Description: Leading with care is critical to the well-being of yourself, your ERG team and members, and your greater employee population. Learn more about your role in care as an ERG leader and the value it brings to the organization.
Format: Fireside chat
Speakers:

Closing

5:00 pm

ERG LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE

IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION ONLY (not available for virtual participation)

In-Person Date/Time: Thursday, September 21, 2023; 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM ET

  • The ERG Leadership Certificate program is an optional add-on activity: $400.00 (includes $350.00 conference discount)

Description: The ERG Leadership Certificate course components consist of the following:

  • Brief introduction to ERGs
  • ERG business case and business alignment
  • Structure: ERG charter, enterprise structure, group structure, ERG and Executive Sponsor roles and responsibilities
  • Internal partners: Communications, HR, DEI, IT, leadership
  • External partners: Community engagement
  • Management and operations: ERG launch, recruitment, programming, engagement, retention, growth
  • Evaluation: metrics, shared outcome

Format: Classroom and workshop, in person only