{"id":15191,"date":"2024-12-16T08:27:31","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T14:27:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geekygirl.ca\/?p=15191"},"modified":"2024-12-18T08:39:57","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T14:39:57","slug":"how-summit-in-a-box-became-the-backbone-of-our-neurodivergent-summit-and-can-help-you-run-your-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geekygirl.ca\/how-summit-in-a-box-became-the-backbone-of-our-neurodivergent-summit-and-can-help-you-run-your-own\/","title":{"rendered":"How Summit in a Box\u00ae Became the Backbone of Our Neurodivergent Summit \u2013 And Can Help You Run Your Own!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Running a summit might sound like a glamorous venture, but let me tell you \u2014 it\u2019s also a logistical circus with more moving parts than a Swiss watch. That said, when done right, it\u2019s one of the most rewarding ways to bring people together, share ideas, and make a significant impact. After organizing the 2024 Neurodivergent Business Summit, I\u2019ve seen it all: the highs, the lows, and the sheer chaos. Along the way, I picked up some hard-earned lessons and insider tips that can help you pull off your own summit without losing your sanity \u2014 or your weekends.<\/span><\/p>\n In this post, I\u2019ll break down the key takeaways from my summit experience. We\u2019ll talk about planning timelines, resources that saved the day, adapting systems for your brain and your audience, and why summits can be game-changers for your business. Plus, I\u2019ll share the one tool that kept everything (and everyone) on track. Ready? Let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s the first rule of summit planning: give yourself time. A lot of it. Conventional wisdom says you need at least 90 days to plan a summit, but let\u2019s be honest\u2014rules are for breaking, right? Well, we broke this one, and let me tell you, it wasn\u2019t pretty. Running a summit in less than 90 days felt like trying to build IKEA furniture without the manual: doable but unnecessarily painful.<\/span><\/p>\n When we decided to throw our first NeuroDivergent Business Summit, we had just under three months to pull it off. Spoiler alert: it meant working evenings, weekends, and probably in my sleep. But we learned our lesson. For our next summits, we\u2019re giving ourselves a much longer runway. Why? Because if there\u2019s one thing neurodivergent teams need, it\u2019s flexibility. Extra time means fewer last-minute scrambles, better communication, and space for creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n So, take this advice to heart: plan your summit timeline around your needs, your team\u2019s capacity, and your audience\u2019s expectations. If you\u2019re like me and your brain thrives on structured chaos, build in buffer zones for the inevitable hiccups. Trust me, future you will thank present you for the foresight.<\/span><\/p>\n Summit planning without the right tools is a recipe for overwhelm. For us, the game-changer was <\/span>Summit in a Box<\/span><\/i><\/a>, a program that turned the chaos into something manageable. Think of it as your summit-planning Sherpa, guiding you through templates, tech tutorials, and timelines like a pro. It didn\u2019t make the process effortless, but it sure made it doable.<\/span><\/p>\n What I loved most about this resource was its flexibility. Whether you\u2019re a visual learner who thrives on video tutorials or someone who prefers written guides, there\u2019s something for everyone. I could easily find answers to my questions without falling into a Google rabbit hole. Instead of stalling out when things got tricky, I knew exactly where to turn for help.<\/span><\/p>\n Pro tip: don\u2019t let the sheer amount of content overwhelm you. You don\u2019t need to use every single tool or strategy provided \u2014 just pick what works best for you. The beauty of a resource like this is that it\u2019s comprehensive, but you\u2019re in control of how much you use. Start small, stay focused, and build from there.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s the thing about summit strategies: they\u2019re not one-size-fits-all. Just because something works for someone else doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019ll work for you, your team, or your audience. The key is to take the frameworks and tools you\u2019ve learned and tweak them to fit your unique needs. That\u2019s exactly what we did, especially when it came to creating a neurodivergent-friendly timeline.<\/span><\/p>\n Traditional event planning timelines might suggest rigid milestones, but let\u2019s be real \u2014 neurodivergent brains don\u2019t always work that way. We built in extra buffers, flexible deadlines, and communication checkpoints that made sense for us. This approach not only reduced stress but also allowed our team to operate at their best. And guess what? It worked.<\/span><\/p>\n So, don\u2019t be afraid to break the mold. Whether it\u2019s adapting your schedule, changing your communication style, or rethinking your marketing strategies, do what feels right for you. After all, the point of a summit is to create an experience that reflects your values and serves your audience\u2014not to force yourself into a cookie-cutter process.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the most rewarding aspects of running a summit is the relationships you build along the way. For us, the NeuroDivergent Business Summit wasn\u2019t just about sharing strategies \u2014 it was about creating a space for like-minded individuals to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other. And wow, did we meet some amazing people.<\/span><\/p>\n Our speakers came from all walks of life, each bringing their own unique perspectives. Hearing how they approach business, overcome challenges, and embrace their neurodivergence was nothing short of inspiring. It also reminded us that there\u2019s no single \u201cright\u201d way to succeed \u2014 just the right way for <\/span>you<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning a summit, prioritize this sense of community. Choose speakers who align with your values, create opportunities for attendee engagement, and make space for meaningful conversations. The connections you foster will become one of the most valuable takeaways from the entire experience.<\/span><\/p>\n Looking back, I can confidently say that running a summit was one of the hardest\u2014and most fulfilling\u2014projects I\u2019ve ever tackled. It pushed us out of our comfort zone, forced us to think creatively, and gave us a new appreciation for the power of preparation. Most importantly, it set the stage for what\u2019s to come.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019re already gearing up for our next summits, armed with everything we learned from the first one. This time, we\u2019re focusing on fine-tuning the experience, improving where we can, and doubling down on what worked. And while there\u2019s always room for improvement, I\u2019m proud to say there weren\u2019t any major disasters. That\u2019s a win in my book.<\/span><\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re thinking about hosting a summit, my advice is simple: go for it. It\u2019s a lot of work, but it\u2019s also worth it. With the right tools, a solid plan, and a willingness to adapt, you can create something truly incredible. And who knows? It might just change your business\u2014and your life\u2014for the better.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Running a summit isn\u2019t for the faint of heart, but it\u2019s an adventure worth taking. Whether you\u2019re looking to grow your audience, strengthen your brand, or simply try something new, a summit can be a game-changer. Just remember: plan ahead, use the right tools, adapt to your needs, and focus on building meaningful connections.<\/span><\/p>\n And if you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of tackling such a big project, don\u2019t worry\u2014you\u2019ve got this. Start small, take it one step at a time, and don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help. Who knows? Your summit might just be the thing that takes your business to the next level.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Take a look at Summit in a Box<\/a>. And go register for the next Neurodivergent Business Summit<\/a>, so you can see how we are doing!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In this post, I\u2019ll break down the key takeaways from my summit experience. We\u2019ll talk about planning timelines, resources that saved the day, adapting systems for your brain and your audience, and why summits can be game-changers for your business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15192,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15191","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-blog","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nPlan Ahead (No, Seriously\u2014Way Ahead)<\/b><\/h1>\n
Find Your Toolbox\u2014and Use It<\/b><\/h1>\n
Adapt, Don\u2019t Adopt<\/b><\/h1>\n
The Power of Connection<\/b><\/h1>\n
Lessons Learned (and What\u2019s Next)<\/b><\/h1>\n