What makes Dialog different?

Dialog is an impact-driven organization. Our mission is to help global leaders learn and grow through off-the-record, boundary-pushing conversations. We don’t presume to know the truth, only that the surest way to get closer to the truth is to bring together differing perspectives.

If there are participants on the partial list with whom you’d be unwilling to share a dinner because their views are beyond the pale… Might this be an opportunity to ask deep questions and expand your worldview? If your answer is no, Dialog is not for you.

All conversations are fully participatory (there are no speeches or panels). All conversations are 100% off-the-record. All conversations are 8-10 people, with a hand-curated group of participants, and a peer moderator. And of course, the quality of people matters most (everyone at Dialog is hand-picked).

Dialog doesn’t have any partisanship, political goals, or ideological agenda. Our mission is not to influence leaders in any particular direction—only to help them to learn via engagement with diverse perspectives (whatever those perspectives may be). It’s truly pluralistic!

Dialog operates at cost; the price of a retreat reflects the cost of putting on the event and paying our staff. However, we never want price to be the barrier for attendance—we offer significant discounts based on ability to pay, so the community can be as professionally diverse as possible (reach out if you want to discuss). Note: Most participants are able to expense their participation as a personal development or networking opportunity.

The agenda is based around you. We design the content of every retreat to speak to your curiosities, push your preconceived notions, and catalyze surprising, impactful learning.

Unlike other groups, Dialog is genuinely off-the-record so Dialogers can say what they truly think. We intentionally keep a very low profile to protect the sanctity of that commitment.

A Dialoger nominated you, and the Nominations Committee conducted research on you and ultimately decided you could be a good fit: you’re a best-in-class leader in your field, and we’re betting you’re deeply curious on a broad range of topics.

Please refer to your invitation for a partial list of participants. Closer to the date of the retreat, we will release an app with a full directory of all participants.

The invite list for every retreat is different (we always want a balance of backgrounds, ideologies, etc.). We cannot guarantee a future invitation, but it is possible.

No, travel and accommodation costs are covered by the participants. Let us know if you need help.

You’ll receive a special hotel booking link in your post-registration confirmation email.

Yes, significant others are welcome—however, because Dialog is invite-only, they will not be able to participate in many of the conversations (the breakout sessions and seated lunches/dinners). Many SOs have a great time at Dialog; others may not enjoy it because they cannot join the formal sessions and meals. Let us know if you have any questions!

Complimentary SO registration includes: airport shuttles, breakfast (daily), pre-dinner receptions (nightly), post-dinner drinks (nightly), early arrivals dinner (Wednesday), and the informal dinner party (Saturday). SOs will also be able register for some optional activities (for an additional fee).

Dialog Emerging is exclusively for leaders under age 40, many of whom are earlier in their careers.

Not all participants are members of the year-round community. However, members get priority access to retreats, and to exclusive online and in-person programming.