Leadership Summits

Washington D.C. | Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Austin, TX | Thursday, November 14, 2024
Atlanta, GA | January 30, 2025
San Francisco, CA | February 27, 2025
New York, NY | March 20, 2025
Chicago, IL | April 24, 2025
Pittsburgh, PA | Coming Soon

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 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

    Is the Leadership Summit for you?

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

    How to attend

    Now accepting applications

    Leadership Summits are 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 catered snacks 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

    Past & Future Speakers

    Dan Mall
    Founder, Design Systems University and Author of Design that Scales
    Robin Cannon
    Head of Design Systems at JP Morgan Chase
    Alex Wilson
    VP, Design System Engineering Lead at T. Rowe Price
    PJ Onori
    Design Systems at Instacart
    Adekunle Oduye
    Design Engineer, Tech Lead at Plaid
    Richard Banfield
    Design Systems Advisor and Recovering CEO
    Chris Strahl
    CEO at Knapsack

    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.

    Location & Dates

    Washington D.C. | Tuesday, October 8, 2024
    Austin, TX | Thursday, November 14, 2024
    Atlanta, GA | January 30, 2025
    San Francisco, CA | February 27, 2025
    New York, NY | March 20, 2025
    Chicago, IL | April 24, 2025
    Pittsburgh, PA | Coming Soon

    Your Sponsor and Host

    Sample Agenda

    30 minutes

    Introductions

    90 minutes

    Opening Panel led by Chris Strahl

    30 minutes

    Networking, Snacks, and Drinks

    45 minutes

    Presentation with Guest Speaker

    60 minutes

    Knapsack Presentation

    90 minutes

    Closing Workshop

    60 minutes

    Happy Hour and Networking

    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 digital production 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 leadership summits take place monthly in every major city in the US. On the application, you'll be able to specify which event you'd like to attend. If your city is not listed, reach out to us at hello@knapsack.cloud to request we come to you.

    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 with your request.

    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