The Summit
The purpose of the LeadHERship Summit is to unite women across the healthcare industry in various stages of their careers. During the Summit, members sit in on thought-provoking panel discussions and breakout sessions by day, attend fun networking events by night and walk away ready to tackle the boundaries and opportunities in their own professional growth. The Summit attracts up to 300 attendees with a program consisting of 3 components: thought leadership, professional/education development, and social/community. This biannual event will occur in the even years and should be held on the last Wed/Thurs/Fri of October or first week of November
Hosting the LeadHERship Summit provides the host chapter opportunities to showcase their local and regional healthcare organizations, thought leadership from members and member firms along with the sights and sounds of the host city.
The Bid Requirements
Who: The regional Chapter is responsible for the bid. The WIH National Summit Committee (WIHNSC) and its representatives will collaborate with the winning Chapter and help organize the conference. Once selected, the Host Chapter will be responsible for the following:
Planning the opening night Welcome Reception as well as any expenses incurred to host the reception. The Host Chapter will provide volunteers to manage the event and serve as the liaison for any area/national sponsors of the reception.
Commitment of at least three (3) chapter volunteers to serve as part of the Summit planning/steering committee such as 2026 host chapter will shadow 2024 planning efforts to gain familiarity with the planning, coordination, and execution process.
Serving as liaison to the WIH National Board and Summit Committee with knowledge of the local area and resources.
Please note that WIH National will, at all times, be owner of the annual Summit (thus legally and financially responsible). Besides being the owner of the event, WIH National is also the official organizer of the event. Certain elements of the Summit can/will be allocated/outsourced to the Host Chapter, but always in close collaboration and under the leadership of the WIHNSC.
Summit Events: Typical key venue requirements include a plenary room that can hold 300 people (keynote lectures, opening and closing, executive panels) and 2 additional breakout session rooms to hold up to 150 attendees each, as well as a large poster/exhibition area for networking and/or exhibits.
Hotel: Should be available in 4-star category with Summit meeting rooms located within the hotel. Sleeping accommodations should be available within the Summit hotel or close to the Summit venue. Ideally, the hotel will be an easy and certainly safe walk to area restaurants and preferably public transportation options.
Parking: On site self-parking as well as valet option.
Food and Beverage: WIH generally provides breakfast, lunch, and beverage service on summit days. Dinner options must be available close to the hotel/Summit center. Venue menu must offer variety and accommodate allergies.
Location: WIH intends to rotate within Incorporated Chapter regions in USA and Canada. Depending on the bids, the aim is to organize the Summit in the region that has not hosted in four years’ time.
Key City Selection Criteria:
1. Has a high number of healthcare organizations represented within the region and affinity to proposed host city.
2. Provides a roster of up to potential 12 executive speakers.
3. Has a high concentration of our membership within 100 miles.
4. Provides/identifies 2-3 local healthcare organizations and non-profits as potential partners/collaboration for sponsorships.
5. A local chapter willing to commit individuals to making it happen.
6. Has ambient climate/weather during the Summit: The season for a late October/ early November Summit isn’t too cold/snowy/rainy.
7. Has multi modal access to region/city and local transportation: proximity to airports and mass transit.
8. Amenities: within walking distance, short drive or mass transit access.
9. Diverse offering of area attractions, restaurants, etc.
10. Safety (primarily woman attendees).
11. Cleanliness of the venue.
12. Eco-friendliness of the venue.
The Bidding Process
Summit bids will be accepted only from the designated representative(s) of WIH Incorporated Regional Chapters. There are a number of steps in the bidding process, and they must be met in full or the proposal may be unsuccessful or rejected.
The bid process for the 2026 Annual LeadHERship Summit is as follows:
1. Expression of Interest (EOI) – An expression of interest must be completed using the online WIH EOI form. This form is just a brief look at the city as a venue and should be completed by the bid chair. The WIHNSC will then consider these submissions. If shortlisted, the WIH Summit Chair will invite the Chapter to submit a full proposal.
In reviewing the EOIs, the Summit Committee will consider the following:
Summit facilities, pricing (estimated pricing including Food & Beverage minimums, block hotel rates, etc.), and the available dates
Access to the city, hotel and other venues and the accommodation facilities
Interest of the city and region and the typical weather conditions
Presence of healthcare organizations and executive leadership for speakers
Caliber and experience of the proposed Chapter Summit Organizing Committee
2. Full Proposal – The preparation of this proposal is by invitation only. Submission instructions for the full proposal will be sent to you with the invitation. The WIHNSC will then consider these proposals and score them based on a selection matrix.
3. Venue Site Visit – Representatives of the WIHNSC will coordinate virtual meetings with the two or three highest ranking host chapters. An in-person site visit may also be planned, which the bidding Chapter must sponsor.
4. Selection and Announcement – The WIHNSC will submit a report of the shortlisted proposals including virtual meetings/potential site visits to the WIH National Board for their review and vote. . The announcement of the Host Chapter and location will occur at the Summit taking place two years prior to the event that was bid for (i.e., 2026 Summit will be announced at 2024 Summit).
5. Confirmed Future Summits
2024 WIH Annual LeadHERship Summit, November 6-8, Loews Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
6. 2026 Summit City Selection and Onboarding Timeline
Open for Expression of Interest (EOI): 2023 November
Deadline for Expression of Interest (EOI): 2023 December 31
Invitations sent out by WIHNSC for full bid: 2024 February 1
Due date Full Bid: 2024 March 15
Virtual Meetings/ Potential Site Visits: 2024 April
Selection of Host Chapter: 2024 May[DSS1]
Chapter Volunteers Onboarding: 2024 early June
Chapter Volunteers Participation on Atlanta Summit Planning: 2024 June-November
Announcement of 2026 Host Chapter: 2024 November 8 at Atlanta Summit
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]