C-Level Forum
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 11:00am-6:00pm ET
Are you working to maneuver through a complicated business issue? Looking for input and insight from industry peers? That’s why ISA-ALP offers C-Level Forums.
In our C-Level Forum programming, participants break out into groups. Each C-Level member participant is then given time to present their specific business issue and receive thoughts, feedback, and advice from other group participants. Issues are collected in advance of the program so participants can prepare.
Each group is led by an industry experienced facilitator who guides the group, typically with 5 to 7 attendees each. Each group member is provided ample time to present their individual business issue, receive clarifying questions, and obtain recommendations from their peer colleagues. And as always, confidentiality is strictly enforced in these forums.
C-Level Forum Networking Hour
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | 6:30pm-7:30pm ET
Join us the evening before the C-Level Forum for a networking hour focused on getting to know your fellow C-Level participants before the forum. A great opportunity to build valuable and meaningful relationships within the ISA-ALP community!
Who should participate?
Someone from your C-Suite team (CEO, CFO, COO, CRO, CTO, CMO, CSO, CPO, or anyone of a similar strategic business decision-making position within your firm, no matter your revenue size) may present one unique strategic business issue. Multiple attendees from one firm may be permitted with separate business issues – please check with eshoup@isaconnection.org for details.
Here are some samples of what previous attendees have said about the value of participating in a C-Level Forum:
“Nothing better than sending a day with other CEO’s of companies in the learning space. Invaluable.”
“The C-level forums are so wonderful. I always walk away with highly valuable input for the issue I brought. And even better, I learn so much from talking through other people’s issues so the ROI of my time is 5X.”
“The C-Level Forum is an amazing opportunity to dig into issues you’re facing in a safe environment. The thoughtful questions, helpful insights and openness to sharing I saw from other members was amazing and incredibly valuable. I was grateful to have takeaways from the discussions on each of the issues, in addition to the discussion of my own issue.”
“This was my first C-Level Forum, and I found it immensely helpful. Not only was I able to work through a particularly thorny business concern, but I also had the opportunity to learn from others’ concerns and the shared inquiry and response. I have a head filled with actionable ideas to take to other parts of my business beyond the reason why I showed up in the first place. Sharing and gaining support from new friends in a manner that is relaxed and easy-going is hard to beat. Thank you!”
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is a C-Level Forum?
A: A C-Level Forum is a confidential, peer-driven recurring program where c-suite executives from ISA-ALP member firms gather to present a real business challenge and receive strategic feedback from fellow leaders. Participants are placed in small groups led by experienced facilitators who are tenured professionals within the learning and talent development industry. These facilitators guide the conversation to ensure it is focused, productive, and supportive. The result is a space for meaningful insights, problem-solving, and connection with those who truly understand the demands of executive leadership.
Q: Who is eligible to attend the C-Level Forum?
A: Participants must be in a senior strategic leadership role within their firm—CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, CSO, CRO, CPO, CTO, or similar. If you’re not sure whether your title or role qualifies, please reach out to eshoup@isaconnection.org for guidance.
Q: What kind of business issue should I bring?
A: Issues should be strategic, complex, and currently relevant to your business. Common topics include growth challenges, succession planning, business model pivots, client retention strategies, technology investment decisions, team alignment, or culture change.
Q: How do I submit my issue? Do I need to prepare in advance?
A: After registering, each participant receives an emailed link to provide basic contact/business information and answer 3 questions about their strategic issue in advance (look for an email from eshoup@isaconnection.org). This highly member-rated packet is organized and sent in advance to all participants and facilitators, ensuring facilitators and participants have reviewed and collected notes for each participant issue before the program.
Q: What is the time commitment and structure?
A: Participants must commit to the full 6-hour duration to ensure a balanced and effective program. Participants are assigned to small groups of 5–7 peers, each led by a skilled facilitator. Every participant is given dedicated time to present their issue, receive clarifying questions, and hear thoughtful input and recommendations from the group. If you must cancel beforehand, then your fellow peers recommend sending another strategic team member in your place.
Q: Is the event confidential?
A: Yes. Confidentiality is a foundational value of the C-Level Forum. All participants agree to maintain strict confidentiality so that everyone can speak openly about their challenges.
Q: Is there an opportunity to connect with other participants beforehand?
A: Yes. C-Level Forums often include a virtual networking session prior to the main event, often the evening before (separate registration link listed on events webpage).
Q: Can more than one person from my firm attend?
A: Yes—multiple c-level leaders from the same firm may attend, provided each brings a distinct business issue for discussion, and all other member firms have been represented in the groups available. Please contact eshoup@isaconnection.org to confirm space and eligibility for additional attendees.
Q: What do past participants say about the forum?
A: Participants consistently recommend the C-Level Forum as a valuable and insightful member benefit. Most will implement actionable insights—not just for their own issue, but also from engaging in others’ challenges. The forum is frequently praised for its openness, strategic relevance, and high return on time.