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In a leadership landscape defined by rapid change, rising stakeholder expectations, and increasing complexity at the top of organizations, senior talent decisions have never carried more weight. Boards are asking different questions. The C-suite is well beyond the shortlist.
That's where the AESC Global Summit on Leadership comes in.
The AESC Global Summit on Leadership is AESC's premier in-person convening designed to bring together leaders from the executive search and leadership advisory community, alongside senior voices from the broader leadership ecosystem, to explore what's changing in leadership, governance, and talent, and what it means for the future of advisory work. It is a place for high-level discussion, practical takeaways, and relationship-building with peers who share a commitment to quality, standards, and impact.
A global summit series with regional relevance
A key differentiator of the AESC Global Summits on Leadership is that they are global in outlook but grounded in local market realities. In 2026, the Summit series takes place in New York City, Hong Kong, and London, creating multiple access points for leaders across regions while offering distinct perspectives shaped by each market.
Each location provides its own lens on leadership priorities:
- New York City offers a South and North America-centered view into board expectations, CEO transitions, and evolving leadership demands.
- Hong Kong delivers an Asia-Pacific perspective on cross-border leadership needs, growth markets, and shifting stakeholder dynamics.
- London highlights EMEA priorities including governance evolution, regulatory pressure, and transformation leadership at scale.
Attending a Summit gives participants the advantage of both: a view of global trends and the nuance to apply them regionally.
What you can expect at the Summit
While specific sessions and speakers vary by location, the overall experience is built around a few core outcomes:
Insight you can apply immediately. Discussions are designed to strengthen how you advise clients on leadership, especially in moments that matter most: succession planning, CEO selection, board effectiveness, transformation, and leadership risk.
Peer exchange and best practices. The Summit brings together senior professionals and firm leaders who can speak candidly about what's working, what's shifting, and where the profession is headed.
Connection with purpose. AESC fosters a purposefully professional, high-trust community. That shapes the room and the quality of the relationships that come from it. Conversations are not transactional. They're strategic.
A forward-looking view. The Summit is a place to explore the forces reshaping leadership and advisory work, from changing candidate motivations and governance expectations to the role of technology in assessment and evaluation.
Why "Be in the room" matters
AESC's community is global, but the moments that move the profession forward are often created in person when leaders can challenge assumptions, pressure-test ideas, and build relationships that last.
The AESC Global Summit on Leadership isn't only about learning what's next. It's about being part of the conversation that shapes what's next for boards, for the C-suite, for leadership teams, and for the executive search and leadership advisory profession itself.
In 2026, the question isn't whether leadership will continue to evolve—it will. The question is whether you'll be in the room when the people guiding that evolution come together to share insight, elevate standards, and strengthen the profession.
Learn more about the NYC Summit – Registrations Now Open.
Dates and registration information for the Hong Kong and London Summits coming soon.
