A summit meeting is an event that gathers leaders and people of influence to discuss an important issue or topic. Typically, the attendees are thought leaders within their industry and will be able to offer possible solutions for an existing problem. Summit meetings differ from conferences in that the style of conversation tends to be more high-level and attendees are expected to have a deep knowledge and opinion about the topic at hand.
The first Summit of the Americas took place in Miami, Florida, from December 9 to 11, 1994 and gathered 34 of the 35 member States of the Organization of American States (the 35th, Cuba, was suspended). The Summit resulted in the Declaration of Principles which established a pact for development and prosperity in the Hemisphere. It also committed the participating countries to work towards the creation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
While a summit is usually attended by many different attendees, the speakers at these events are often well-known or highly respected within their industries. For this reason, a summit is often seen as a more influential or important event than a conference. If a summit fails to produce any tangible results, it is frequently considered a waste of time and money. Nevertheless, it can still play an important role in establishing a basis for discussion of important issues that are otherwise difficult to tackle. Moreover, it can be an effective tool for building and maintaining relationships between governments, which are often the most critical to success in international affairs.
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