Design Systems Leadership Summit

San Francisco | April 18, 2024

Knapsack summits are one-day meet-ups for a small group of engineering, product, and design leaders who want to connect with and be inspired by peers and experts. Share challenges, develop relationships, and learn from the people whose work you admire in a shared safe space. Attendees will go home with the know-how to affect change and lead their teams towards achieving what used to feel impossible, a fresh perspective, new relationships, and actionable insights to make their design system efforts support other strategic imperatives, including:

- Ensure teams are shipping consistent, accessible, on-brand products and features across complex product ecosystems
- Improve collaboration across design, engineering, and product orgs working in different locations and timezones
- Support your company’s growth targets and metrics
- Create a high-performing team culture
- Attract, onboard, and retain top talent

Is the Design Systems Leadership Summit for you?

Summits are for engineering, product, and design leaders—not frontline managers or makers. With less than 30 spots available, everyone will be part of the conversation, and everyone's voice will be heard.

How to attend

Now accepting applications

The Design Systems Leadership Summit is by application, nomination or direct invitation only and is intentionally limited less than 30 attendees. This event is carefully and exclusively curated for engineering, product, and design leaders. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

Registration details

Your attendance is of NO COST and includes a catered lunch and happy hour.

You or your company will be responsible for accommodations and transportation costs.

Ready to apply?

Apply
Want to nominate a leader to attend?
Reach out

Who You'll Hear from

Chris Strahl
CEO, Knapsack
Richard Banfield
Design Systems Advisor and Recovering CEO
Design Engineer and Tech Lead, Plaid
PJ Onori
Design Systems, Instacart

Who will be there

SVB logo
Wellls Fargo logo
Visa logo
Charles Schwab logo
JP Morgan Chase & CO logo

What to expect

The experience

Designed to be a relaxed, fun, and vulnerable day of conversations, not a conference. Our intention is to create a safe space that's conducive to honest discussion and learning from our peers.

Expert insights

Summit attendees are all experts in their field. You can expect to learn from and be inspired by EPD leaders with many years of leadership expertise.

Authentic connections

Get to know other engineering, product, and design leaders. Create connections and community that will thrive well beyond your time at the summit.

Experiences to renew and refocus

Designed for relaxed networking, wine tasting and happy hour following a day of meaningful discussion promises an evening to unwind, socialize, and connect with fellow leaders.

Moderated workshops and discussions

Share challenges and co-create solutions with peers in workshops and discussions guided by thought leaders and seasoned experts.

Your Sponsor and Host

Agenda

1:00-1:30pm

Introductions

1:30-4:30pm

Speakers & Workshops

4:30-6:00pm

Happy Hour

Frequently asked questions

What can I expect?

This day is intentionally designed to provide an extended period of concentrated discussion, dialogue, and strategic thinking. Unlike a conference, attendees can expect to be fully engaged and involved in every aspect of the conversations.

What will I learn at the summit?

Attendees will come away with a fresh perspective, new relationships, and actionable insights to make their design system efforts support other strategic imperatives, including:

  • Create a high-performing team culture

  • Attract, onboard, and retain top talent

  • Ensure teams are shipping consistent, accessible, on-brand products and features across complex product ecosystems

  • Improve collaboration across design, engineering, and product orgs working in different locations and timezones

  • Support company’s growth targets and metrics

When and where is it?

The design systems leadership summit takes place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 1 pm - 6 pm at SVB Experience Center in San Francisco, CA.

Are you able to accommodate guests with accessibility needs or dietary restrictions?

Yes. Once your application has been accepted, we will be in touch to confirm any accessibility needs or dietary restrictions.

Can I take work meetings during the summit?

If you aren’t able to be present for the entire time, we encourage you to leave that spot for someone who is invested in attending the full summit.

Can I invite other leaders from my company?

If you'd like to bring 1-2 additional peers from your company, we are allowing this on a case-by-case basis. Reach out to hello@knapsack.cloud for details.

Did we miss something?

Reach out to hello@knapsack.cloud for any other questions or concerns. We’d love to hear from you!

Knapsack listed as a trusted vendor in 3 Gartner Hype Cycles

A design system is one of the most important strategic assets for an organization that builds and configures digital products.”

-Gartner, Hype Cycle for User Experience, August 10, 2023

Knapsack listed as a trusted vendor in 3 Gartner Hype Cycles

A design system is one of the most important strategic assets for an organization that builds and configures digital products.”

-Gartner, Hype Cycle for User Experience, August 10, 2023