International coach federation (ICF) converge 2017, 24-26 august 2017, WASHINGTON D.C., USA
By Lisa Cunningham
More than 1,600 coaches from 61 countries convened in Washington, D.C., in the US on 24-26 August for ICF Converge 2017, the International Coach Federation’s (ICF) first large-scale global event since 2012.
ICF Converge provided a dynamic, interactive experience. Rather than staying on traditional learning tracks, attendees could float between four learning neighbourhoods, with sessions running concurrently. Content in the Community Center neighbourhood focused on the practice of coaching. In the Development Zone, attendees learned how to build strong coaching businesses and cultures. Converge University focused on the science of coaching, and content in the Turning Point neighbourhood provided a window into the future of coaching.
More than 80% of all sessions were not typical subject matter expert presentations, and 68% were interactive. Attendees also had opportunities to work one-on-one with subject matter experts in ‘labs’ and to provide feedback to product representatives during ‘Pitchfests’.
Converge kicked off with lots of excitement as 2017 ICF global board chair Hilary Oliver, PCC, announced, during the opening session, that all ICF members have been honoured with the 2017 ICF Global Chair’s Award in recognition for the work they do daily to advance the mission and vision of ICF.
Keynote speaker Hal Gregersen, executive director of the MIT Leadership Center, shared insights from his research on how leaders can build better questions to unlock game-changing solutions.
Following Gregersen’s session, each neighbourhood hosted its own keynote session, with presentations from
Dr Jacinta M Jiménez, Dr Robert Biswas-Diener, PCC, William Arruda and Ora Shtull, PCC, and Jean-François Noubel.
The event’s capstone was the final day’s three-hour Unconference (unconventional conference).
During the Unconference, attendees worked in small groups, discussing issues that mattered most to them. Attendees not only left with practical solutions to apply to their practice, but they also gained new friends, mentors and collaborators.
Other highlights included a presentation unveiling findings from the 2017 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study (see
ICF Global study sees rise in coaching awareness https://www.coaching-at-work.com/2017/11/03/icf-global-study…aching-awareness/ ) and a ‘long table’ discussion featuring the 2017 ICF International Prism Award finalist organisations.
- The next ICF Converge will take place in 2019. A location and date are yet to be determined