Convenings have enormous potential to drive impact. For decades, global leaders have come together at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center, using convening as a tool to map the landscape of emerging fields, to forge new alliances, to discover breakthrough pathways to impact, and to accelerate collective action in addressing the world’s toughest challenges.
Yet, many convenings never achieve their full potential. We’ve all attended a gathering where participants were distracted or disengaged. Where we didn’t connect meaningfully with the content. Where there was a missing crackle of energy between the participants.
Intentional design can bridge that gap. Design enables a convening to achieve its full potential in the moment. More importantly, it creates the greatest chance of achieving a long tail of impact afterwards. Our design support is intended to help you achieve the full potential of your Bellagio convening by sharpening your focus on a single purpose and crafting a structure that delivers a meaningful participant experience.
Participant Agenda and Bio Template:
All convening participants should be provided an agenda, allowing them to prepare for the intended dialogue. All participants (including speakers, moderators, etc.) should submit a photo and bio information for compilation into the provided template.
Download HereDesign Resources
Convening Strategy & Design Overview
Moderator Agenda Template: Convening moderators can use this document to see “at a glance” agenda topics, timing, and production notes relevant to moderation.
Convening Design Guide: A comprehensive introduction to the practice of convening design.
Facilitation Guide: A guide for helping you select the right facilitation model for your convening, a list of trusted facilitators, and recommended facilitation techniques.
Convening Momentum Builders Guide: A set of tools for sustaining momentum and impact after a convening.
Convening Momentum Builders Guide
Project Management & Production Resources
Convening Production Guide: A comprehensive introduction to convening production, including timelines, roles, and considerations for running a seamless gathering.