Highlights

The 35th Annual ToP Gathering brought 60 facilitators and trainers together at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas under the theme “Bright Lights, Bold Ideas: Growing the Future of ToP Facilitation”. From February 10–15, participants engaged in participatory learning, peer-led exchange, community building, and network-wide reflection, with many opportunities for skill-building, mentoring, and connection.

The week began with the Assessors Meeting, where certification assessors and team members gathered to plan for the Certified ToP Facilitator (CTF) program. The following day, ToP trainers convened for a full-day Trainer Meetup focused on networking, sharing effective practices, exploring key elements of the Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitation Methods training, and generating ideas for new courses. Trainers also received updates from ICA and discussed emerging trends of the training program.

The Gathering officially kicked off on the evening of February 11 with a welcome reception and dinner. Participants quickly stepped into the theme through a lively “Bright Lights” photo booth, a Journey Wall that mapped participants’ paths in ToP practice, and an interactive People Bingo activity that sparked conversations and new connections.

The formal program opened with a plenary session featuring a virtual keynote conversation with adrienne maree brown, author and movement facilitator. She shared reflections on practices aligned with ToP values, including Emergent Strategy, Pleasure Activism, Radical Imagination, and Loving Correction, offering inspiration for facilitators working in complex and evolving environments.

Workshops throughout the Gathering addressed a wide range of facilitation topics, including conversation design, facilitation presence, communication across personality styles, wellness for facilitators, and business development. Sessions explored topics such as crucial conversations, strategies for strengthening client relationships, and practices for managing stress and cultivating facilitator presence. Participants also examined the evolving role of AI in facilitation through conversations about how it can support agenda design, synthesis, and documentation while maintaining human connection and trust.

Peer learning remained central to the Gathering. Open Space sessions allowed participants to explore emerging topics, including the role of facilitators during times of crisis. Numerous networking opportunities—including a speed networking session focused on equity and inclusion—encouraged participants to share experiences, build relationships, and explore collaborations.

A highlight of the event was the Celebration Lunch, where the community honored founders, newly recognized trainers, and Certified ToP Facilitators while sharing stories of appreciation and remembrance.

Participants also had opportunities to connect informally through optional outings such as a scenic drive through Red Rock Canyon or a visit to The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, as well as self-organized explorations of downtown Las Vegas.

The Gathering concluded with a reflective Board led World Café session discussing the ToP Network Strategic Plan and a Closing Plenary, inviting participants to name key insights and identify next steps for their work and the ToP Network.

Post Gathering, a ToP training was held, Facilitation Graphics, where facilitators learned to bring their sessions to life with representative imagery.

Overall, the event strengthened relationships across the network and renewed participants’ commitment to advancing facilitation practice and collaborative leadership.