By Bryan Mattimore

I attended my first CEO Roundtable Dinner at the Terrace Club in NYC on Wednesday, September 9th. I was pleased to have a seat at this sold out event with two full roundtables of CEOs.
 
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised: it was one of the most enjoyable evenings I’ve spent in a long time. Yes the food was very good, and the venue was welcoming… but what made the meeting special for me was the evening format, the insights of my table mates, and the feeling of camaraderie – dare I say trust – that I know we all experienced.
 
After introductions, the facilitators asked us each to present a business challenge that our tablemates could help us “ideate”  solutions for. The lively discussions included insights, ideas, strategies, and referrals to friends/experts who might help solve the particular challenge, which ranged from how to:

• deal with the government regulations/penalties associated with Obama Care for a business that employs hourly workers
• better organize and manage an international non-profit with three different governing/country-based boards
• launch a new college student activity software for US colleges and administrators
• attract new, younger readers to a formerly, print-only publication - and, in my case:
• how to promote our strategic war gaming service that is becoming a larger part of our innovation agency offerings. 

Thank you, CEO Trust, for organizing and facilitating a memorable night that included delicious food, provocative intellectual challenges, great ideas… but above all, camaraderie.