2012 Study Group Meeting
August 8–10 • Chicago, Ill.
What Is the Study Group Program?
The Forum 400 Study Group Initiative was created to improve the value of Forum 400 membership by increasing member-to-member contact. Each summer, Forum 400 members are invited to a dedicated Study Group Meeting to gather in an intimate atmosphere of no-holds-barred sharing that is unprecedented in any other industry association.
Leaders
Each group will have a Leader to facilitate the group in the months leading up to the Study Group Meeting and over the course of the two-day in person meeting. The 2012 Leaders are:
Chris Baker/Marc Schwartz
Peter Hibbard
Cathy Neifeld
Michael O'Donnel
Randy Riggins
Gerry Sacks
Arthur Salomon
Wesley Sierk
Robert Slane
Warren Steinborn
Jay Weinstein
Click here for more information on each of the 2012 Study Group Leaders.
Contact Sarah Murphy at Forum 400 headquarters if you are interested in serving as a leader in the future.
Guidelines
The Forum 400 has developed a list of rules most commonly adapted that everyone has agreed to, specifically:
- Only Forum 400 members may participate in Study Groups.
- Every Study Group member will present at every Study Group Meeting.
- Members should present on what they are doing in their practice, their designs, their sales process, etc. Members should not present on what they are “hearing what other people are doing.”
- Every Study Group member should have material to cover 1 ½ to 2 hours of time.
- If a member is not prepared or does not contribute, the member will be expelled from the Study Group.
- Any information received during a Study Group is considered to be confidential information and is not to be shared outside the Study Group with anyone unless written permission is granted. This is known as the Las Vegas rule, “what happens (or is said) here, stays here.” No sharing outside the Study Group to other producers.
- Do not use your Study Group as a way to prospect for joint work or for other business. Study Groups are about sharing, not taking.
- Maximum size should be 8–10 people.
How to Participate in a Study Group
Please click here to register for the 2012 Study Group Meeting. Each person who wishes to join a Study Group should select on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 be the highest preference, his/her choice of leaders. The leader will try to accommodate your choice, but there is no guarantee that you gain entry to your top-rated Study Group. Thus, it is essential that prioritize five potential mentors.
Attending the Study Group Meeting
It is recommended that Study Group participants arrive late afternoon on Wednesday, August 8th. Each participant is responsible for making their own hotel reservation at the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare. Information regarding hotel rates will be available after March 1st.
Forum 400 will provide breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday as well as hors d'oeurvres and cocktails at a Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening. Dinner on Thursday evening will take place at a restaurant near the hotel. Participants should make sure to schedule departing flights on Friday, August 10th no earlier than 5:00pm. This will enable the Study Group to wrap up at 3:30pm and provide sufficient time to get to the airport and clear security. Each person is responsible for his/her own housing and transportation.
Click here to register for the 2012 Study Group Meeting. Please contact Sarah Murphy with any questions.