Vistage | Vistage Worldwide | Vistage Groups

Vistage | What is Vistage

Vistage is a leadership resource for business CEOs, providing them with a support system and sounding board for their decision-making. Through its exclusive events and insights, Vistage Group helps its CEO members grow both personally and professionally. With a Vistage Chair as their tiger team, CEOs receive guidance and expertise from experienced business leaders who understand the challenges of running a company. Vistage groups have a proven track record of helping members achieve life-changing revenue growth, with many of its members being among the fastest-growing companies in their industries. CEO Climb events and other offerings provide business leaders with the tools and support they need to make informed decisions and achieve success. Since its founding in 1957, Vistage has helped tens of thousands of executives from diverse backgrounds enhance their leadership skills, overcome obstacles, and scale their businesses through peer learning, executive coaching, and expert insights. Today, with over 23,000 members across 20 countries, Vistage continues to be a premier resource for business leaders navigating complex business issues.

Vistage Worldwide | Vistage International

Vistage is a global CEO peer advisory and executive coaching organization that helps build CEO confidence. It brings together business leaders from a variety of industries and backgrounds to share their experiences, challenges, and insights. Founded in 1957, Vistage has helped tens of thousands of executives enhance their leadership skills, overcome obstacles, and grow and scale their businesses through peer learning, executive coaching, and expert insights. Vistage groups maintain the highest level of integrity for the sake of the organization and its members.

With over 23,000 members in 20 countries, Vistage Worldwide members have access to a wide range of resources, including workshops, webinars, expert speakers, and leadership development programs that help them navigate complex business issues and make informed decisions.

A recent Chief Outsiders CEO client discussed the added benefits that she gained from the leadership training and executive coaching offered by Vistage chairs and peers:

Read CEO Interview about Vistage

Chief Outsiders and Vistage

As a trusted partner of Vistage, Chief Outsiders has helped many Vistage member companies achieve their growth objectives by providing expert marketing and sales consulting services. Our team of battle-tested strategic operators™ brings decades of experience across a range of industries and disciplines.

Chief Outsiders’ approach is aligned with Vistage’s core values of accountability, integrity, and excellence. Chief Outsiders’ executives have a proven track record of success in driving growth and profitability for mid-market companies across a range of industries. By working closely with Vistage member companies, Chief Outsiders helps CEOs and business leaders overcome their biggest growth challenges and achieve sustainable, long-term success.

"Chief Outsiders provides a critical service to Vistage members. The staff has expertise beyond any other service provider I’ve worked with in ten years of running my company. Working alongside experts in the field gave me the confidence to shift strategies, seize an opportunity in an otherwise declining market, and reposition Def Method for continued success."

- Joe Leo, CEO of Def Method and Vistage Member

 Learn how one CEO leveraged the expertise of Chief Outsiders and his membership in Vistage to achieve explosive growth in his mid-market business:

See Vistage Case Study

If your business is a Vistage member company and is seeking C-Level marketing or sales leadership to fulfill your vision of growth, fill out our contact form below for a Quick Assessment:

Vistage Peer Advisory Groups offer business leaders the opportunity to connect with peers in their industry, whether they operate in a B2B or B2C environment. Vistage members benefit from executive coaching, thought leadership, content marketing, mentoring, and access to a CEO peer group that understands the unique challenges of running a business. Through Vistage's resources, business leaders can focus on lead generation, improving SEO conversion rates, and establishing benchmarks and metrics to assess financial fitness, strategy, and scalability. By participating in Vistage, members can take advantage of a culture that promotes growth within their own companies by improving systems and processes. 

It was through Vistage peer advisory groups that one Chief Outsiders client discovered “a safe place to question strategies, challenges and big ideas.”

Learn how one CEO grew his Business With His Vistage Group's Help

Vistage Chair

The Vistage Chair is central to the success of each Vistage Group. Vistage Chairs are carefully selected, trained, and certified through the Vistage Chair Academy. Serving as the primary point of contact between Vistage Group and its members, they provide virtual coaching and facilitate events.

“Part of the magic of the perspective and experience a Chair brings to their members comes from asking questions that lead their members to think about their businesses differently,” said Art Saxby, CEO and Founder of Chief Outsiders. “The tools that we provide to Chairs are intended to help them lead those growth-related discussions.  After over a decade working with Vistage, Chairs know they can tap us to be a resource for their members who are struggling with business growth."

To qualify as a Vistage Chair, leaders must have executive experience at the C-level and possess coaching qualifications that allow them to build a trusted relationship with the business leaders who rely upon them. Vistage Chairs come from diverse backgrounds to ensure an inclusive and impactful experience for all Vistage members. Outside of group meetings, Vistage Chairs meet with their members regularly, providing custom coaching, organizing CEO Climb events, and using analytics to help members uncover hidden opportunities and address business challenges. Vistage Chairs are independent, yet work closely with Vistage's executive team to ensure the highest level of support and impact for business leaders. Their role is critical in fostering diversity and inclusion within the Vistage community, creating an environment where all members can thrive.

Vistage CEO

CEOs who become Vistage members get access to a powerful network of executive peers who share similar experiences and challenges. This executive network, as well as the peer networks formed within the Vistage Group, provide invaluable support and guidance for business leaders. Through Vistage Reviews, members receive feedback on their business strategies and leadership approach, helping them build confidence in their decision-making abilities.

Vistage CEO members also benefit from insights into industry trends and verticals, including topics such as hybrid work, smart manufacturing, AI, and reshoring. Additionally, Vistage provides relevant information on public policy, inflation, and other economic factors that impact their industries, including entertainment & media, business technology, financial services, real estate, consumer products, retail, auto and transportation, energy & utilities, and heavy industry. For clients of Chief Outsiders, a Vistage membership – along with the guidance of a battle-tested fractional CMO – provides CEOs with an arsenal of resources and support to navigate the challenges of leading a successful business.

Learn how the CEO of Steffes Corporation utilized his Vistage membership along with a fractional Chief Outsiders’ engagement to develop a road map for expansion:

View Vistage + Chief Outsiders Case Study

For clients of Chief Outsiders, the Vistage Emerging Leaders Program is yet another way that high-potential professionals can develop the skills needed to get the most out of business leadership.  The program focuses on developing core leadership competencies and enhancing the leadership potential of rising stars within organizations. The Emerging Leader Program, typically offered in partnership with regional chambers of commerce, provides an empowering environment for emerging leaders to enhance their confidence and improve their execution of company goals. Through the guidance of the Leader and Master Facilitator, participants in the program develop into advancing leaders who are poised to take on more senior leadership roles within their organizations. The Emerging Leaders Program is a powerful tool for organizations looking to develop and empower their next generation of leaders.

A Vistage Coach is a highly qualified executive leader who is part of the Vistage Chair Academy. Vistage coaches – when part of a CEOs group of trusted advisors – are responsible for leading Vistage peer advisory groups, comprised of business leaders who are members of Vistage. They have coaching qualifications and experience in executive coaching, and work to facilitate conversations and provide guidance to CEOs and other senior leaders in their groups. Vistage Chairs are nominated and trained by Vistage to provide a valuable leadership resource to member CEOs, and they play a crucial role in the success of the peer advisory groups. By relating personal challenges, success stories, and member success examples, Vistage coaches help create a high-performing and supportive community of business leaders. Vistage coaches – like Chief Outsiders’ fractional chief marketing officers – are dedicated to supporting CEOs as they navigate the changing business landscape.

Part support group and part personal development, a Vistage Meeting is where executive peers come to meet, collaborate, and grow. Facilitated by a Vistage CEO or Chair, these monthly meetings provide business leaders and owners with a supportive environment to discuss challenges, seek advice, and hold each other accountable for their actions. Along with the regular advice provided by Chief Outsiders fractional CMOs, Vistage meetings are a great way for executive leaders to focus on personal development and refine business practices, with an emphasis on conscious leadership and a conscious life. In addition to the monthly meetings, Vistage members also receive a newsletter that keeps them updated on news and events within the organization. 

Learn how a chance encounter at a Vistage meeting connected one CEO with Chief Outsiders – a connection that led to a long-term engagement and an impressive legacy of revenue growth:

View Vistage Meeting Case Study 

For a CEO seeking to grow and collaborate, Vistage membership is a valuable tool in a toolbox that also can include resources like the fractional CMOs and CSOs from Chief Outsiders. Becoming a Vistage member is a straightforward process. First, individuals interested in joining should visit the Vistage website and explore the membership overview section to get a better understanding of the benefits of joining. From there, they can search for Vistage Worldwide group locations near them. Small business owners and CEOs interested in membership will need to meet the Vistage policy requirements and complete an application process. They can also attend Vistage events, such as the CEO Climb events or the Leadership Resource event, to learn more about the organization and meet other business leaders. Additionally, Vistage offers both a CEO Survey in association with the Wall Street Journal, and the CEO Journey podcast to provide further insights and information about the Vistage community.

Vistage speakers represent the cream of the crop – they are experts in their fields who are available to address Vistage groups on various business topics. Vistage speakers cover a wide range of topics including change management, innovation, AI, inflation, reshoring, lifelong learning, emotional intelligence, balanced scorecard, systems thinking, team building, process improvement, and more. The availability of Vistage speakers depends on their schedule and availability, and their fee range can vary based on their level of expertise and popularity. Vistage members can book speakers through Vistage's speaker's bureau or through other means.

As a means of connecting its membership beyond regular monthly meetings, Vistage offers various networking events to provide CEOs the chance to learn from a broader group of peers. These events include CEO Climb Events, which are exclusive gatherings of Vistage CEO members, and Vistage Executive Summits, which feature high-profile speakers and interactive workshops on topics related to decision making and leadership. Additionally, Vistage provides local economic updates to help its members stay informed about the latest trends and issues affecting their businesses. Vistage members can also benefit from Perspectives Magazine, a publication that features articles on a wide range of business-related topics and offers insights from other members. These Vistage networking events provide a valuable opportunity for Vistage members to connect with peers, gain new perspectives, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in their industries.

Much like a Chief Outsiders fractional CMO or CSO, a Vistage Trusted Advisor (VTA) serves a valuable role as a confidante to CEOs and other business leaders. At Vistage, trusted advisors are culled from the ranks – highly trained and experienced business professionals who provide executive coaching and advisory services to CEOs and other business leaders. VTAs are part of the Vistage Advisor Program, which includes the Master Chair, Grow Group, Emerging Leader, and Accomplished Business Leader programs. The Vistage Trusted Advisor may also act as group ambassadors or ambassadors emeritus, helping to foster a sense of community and shared knowledge within Vistage groups. They may offer private executive coaching or participate in half-day workshops focused on key leadership topics. The goal of the Trusted Advisor is to provide business leaders with the support, guidance, and expertise they need to make informed decisions, achieve their goals, and grow their businesses.

The Vistage Advisory Board is a peer advisory program designed for CEOs and business leaders to receive confidential peer advice and coaching services. This program is facilitated through Vistage's CEO Climb Events and provides participants with the opportunity to explore their blind spots, share their business challenges, and receive valuable feedback from a diverse group of peers. The program is built on the concept of peer-to-peer learning and aims to help CEOs and business leaders make better decisions by tapping into the collective wisdom and experience of the group. Through this program, members can gain fresh perspectives and insights from a confidential and trusted network of peers, which can help them navigate complex business issues and improve their decision-making capabilities.

If  your business is a Vistage member company and is seeking C-Level marketing or sales leadership to fulfill your vision of growth, fill out our contact form below for a Quick Assessment:

What is the Vistage Chair?

The Vistage Chair is the cornerstone of Vistage universe, and is central to the success of each Vistage Group. Vistage Chairs are carefully selected, trained, and certified through the Vistage Chair Academy. Serving as the primary point of contact between Vistage Group and its members, they provide coaching and facilitate events.

What are Vistage Groups?

Vistage Peer Advisory Groups offer business leaders the opportunity to connect with peers in their industry, whether they operate in a B2B or B2C environment. Vistage members benefit from executive coaching, thought leadership, content marketing, mentoring, and access to a CEO peer group that understands the unique challenges of running a business.

Why should someone join Vistage?

For a CEO seeking to grow and collaborate, Vistage membership is a valuable tool in a toolbox that also can include resources like the fractional CMOs and CSOs from Chief Outsiders.

How can I apply to Vistage?

Small business owners and CEOs interested in membership will need to meet the Vistage policy requirements and complete an application process. They can also attend Vistage events, such as the CEO Climb events or the Leadership Resource event, to learn more about the organization and meet other business leaders.

What should I expect from a Vistage meeting?

Part support group and part personal development, a Vistage meeting is where executive peers come to meet, collaborate, and grow. Facilitated by a Vistage CEO or Chair, these monthly meetings provide business leaders and owners with a supportive environment to discuss challenges, seek advice, and hold each other accountable for their actions.

Interested in becoming a Vistage Member? Learn More and Apply here.