Wes Chapman is a visionary leader, committed to aiding global change through meaningful conversations. His work as the co-founder of The Human Gathering has opened doors to impactful collaboration and discourse between hundreds of the world’s most influential minds. By fostering this diverse, non-partisan environment, Wes demonstrates that effective solutions to societal problems come from bringing together people with varied backgrounds and perspectives. Through an annual conference hosted by The Human Gathering, creative solutions to complex issues can be discussed, discovered, and ultimately implemented on a far-reaching scale. Wes Chapman’s commitment to making a real difference in this world is remarkable.
What sparked the idea for The Human Gathering and how were you able to bring that to life?
After attending countless conferences, it became apparent to me that the importance of human connection had died. The attendees weren’t forming relationships—they were merely networking with what they saw as transactional data points. At one event in Vegas I experienced the true reality of this lack of connection and returned home disillusioned and disheartened. This feeling was so strong that upon leaving my job, I felt propelled to reach out to my colleague Joshua Jordison and create a global movement, The Human Gathering.
In today’s society it can be easy to get caught up in the craziness of everyday life and lose focus on our personal goals. To set myself apart from this distraction I knew the concept for The Human Gathering needed some intense thought and effort if it was ever going to become a reality. My partner Joshua and I set out to a peaceful cabin where we were able to retreat from society and concentrate on bringing The Human Gathering concept to life. With the help of each other’s ideas, inspirations, and visions, we meticulously crafted an event that allowed people who attend to explore themselves in a whole new light. This solidified how successful at setting ourselves apart from society being creative in our own environment can truly be.
Being that you have hosted The Gathering a few times now, is there anything that you have had to adjust to make it better?
After our first Human Gathering, we realized something was missing. We spent the afternoon lounging around in my living room discussing what had gone wrong and how we could create a better experience. After much discussion, we identified one key element that the event had been lacking: community. A sense of connection between members of the gathering. This realization caused us to refocus our intent; community became our new main priority for planning future gatherings. Every aspect of the event would be crafted with this primary goal in mind – weaving together individuals into a larger collective. We were each certain that this approach would result in an incomparable experience for all involved.
What is in store for The Human Gathering in 2023?
My co-founder Joshua Jordison and I are counting down the days until our annual Human Gathering in March 2023! We are immensely excited to see our community come together, sparks of inspiration quickly igniting conversations. Our goal is to create a space where attendees feel like they can ask questions and explore ideas safely. We have been working hard to make sure every detail on our end is taken care of so that we can provide an unforgettable and meaningful experience for everyone who joins us.
What goes into preparing for the 2023 Human Gathering?
My days have been quite exciting lately as I’m in the process of preparing for our special March 2023 gathering. My job is to select the best group of 125 attendees for the event, and so far it has been quite the endeavor! I’m carefully combing through submissions and personally speaking to potential attendees from all around the world. It’s been a lot of work but also very rewarding. Everyone who’s shared their story has made a strong case to come to our gathering, and I’m honored to be part of this important task. The chosen few will surely form an incredible community and make this an event of a lifetime!
What are you most excited about for the 2023 Human Gathering?
The community and real connections. One trend that truly excites me is the return of in person community gatherings—events like art galleries, music festivals, farmer’s markets, and volunteer events are all crucial components to successful societies. Living in the post-pandemic life has created a new level of appreciation for gathering and connecting face to face with other people. The hard part of just showing up at a community event can open up valuable relationships and friendships among members of your local area. Although we may have initially felt vulnerable, it is amazing and inspiring what can be accomplished when people come together in person for a common cause.
Through this in person community comes conversations. I’m always excited to see progress in the way that people discuss important topics. It’s incredibly empowering when communities come together and have productive conversations around issues, big or small. These types of conversations create a platform for change to occur – where different perspectives are heard, solutions are formed, and mindsets shift towards inclusion. Not only that, but it also offers a great opportunity for growth – both personally and collectively as a community. Overall, having open conversations on pressing issues is a trend I’m looking forward to seeing expand further.
What sets The Human Gathering apart from other leadership conferences, and what kind of impact do you hope it has on attendees?
The Human Gathering seeks to provide a safe and empowering space for attendees to come together and share their stories. Our goal is to build long-lasting relationships, foster meaningful conversations, and create lasting connections between members of the gathering. One thing that sets us apart from other leadership conferences/events is our focus on building strong communities within our gatherings. We strive to facilitate an atmosphere of empathy, understanding, and mutual respect where all participants can feel accepted and heard. In terms of impact, we hope attendees gain skills necessary for successful collaboration with others as well as effective communication techniques that will carry over into all aspects of life. We believe it is vital to equip individuals with tools such as emotional intelligence, conflict resolution tactics, etc., so that they can go out into their respective communities and be effective leaders. Ultimately, we want to create a ripple of positive change across the world by empowering our attendees to become catalysts for growth in their own networks.
How do you ensure that The Human Gathering is an inclusive and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and perspectives?
We strive to make The Human Gathering a safe and inclusive space for everyone from all walks of life. We carefully review guest applications and prioritize those that represent diverse backgrounds, experiences, skillsets, knowledge, beliefs, and perspectives. Inclusivity is essential for creating a strong community where all members can learn from each other and feel accepted. We also work to ensure accessibility by offering discounted rates or scholarships whenever possible. Additionally, we seek feedback from attendees after the event to ensure our programming meets their needs while upholding our mission of worldbuilding through connection. We are constantly striving to improve accessibility and inclusivity within the Human Gathering platform so that everyone can be part of the conversation. Together we will build a vibrant global community dedicated to real change!
How do you measure the success of The Human Gathering, and what kind of feedback have you received from attendees and speakers?
The success of The Human Gathering is measured by the impact it has on attendees, speakers, and volunteers. We track attendance, event feedback surveys, press coverage, media impressions, and more to measure our success. We are also committed to providing meaningful experiences for our participants through rich conversations and workshops. Our goal is to ensure that everyone involved in the gathering leaves with a sense of connection and tangible takeaways that will last beyond the event. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from past events. Attendees often cite how welcoming and supportive the environment was as well as how much they learned from engaging in meaningful conversations with others. Speakers also find great value in being able to connect with like-minded individuals who share their passions and values.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in attending The Human Gathering for the first time?
My advice for those interested in attending The Human Gathering for the first time is to keep an open mind and be prepared to explore. We are creating a safe space for people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to come together and learn from one another. This means it’s ok to step outside of your comfort zone and experiment with new ideas or activities that may be unfamiliar. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need support – our team is here to help make sure you have a great experience! Finally, remember that learning isn’t just about acquiring knowledge but also gaining wisdom through reflection, connection, and collaboration. It’s important to take time away from your daily routine in order to focus on personal growth and growth as a leader. We look forward to welcoming you to the Human Gathering! We wish everyone attending The Human Gathering an enriching and meaningful experience.
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