Design Systems Leadership Summits

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:

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 Design Systems Leadership Summit for you?

Design system 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

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 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

Jackie Lai

Lead UX Designer at Dow Jones

Ben Callahan

Founder of Sparkbox

Stephen Schroth

EVP, Enterprise Design Officer, Founder Key Design Studio at KeyBank

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

Your Sponsor and Host

Agenda

11:30am - Noon

Introductions

Noon - 1:00pm

Opening Workshop with Guest Speaker

1:00 - 1:30pm

Networking, Snacks, and Drinks

1:30 - 2:30pm

Presentaion, Workshop, or Panel with Guest Speaker

2:30 - 3:30pm

Presentation with Knapsack

3:30 - 4:30pm

Closing Workshop with Guest Speaker

4:30 - 5:30pm

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 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 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!