EO APAC Regional Leadership Summit Brings 17 Chapters Together in Phuket

From 12-16 August 2026, EO chapter leaders and regional teams gathered in Phuket, Thailand, for the EO Asia Pacific (APAC) Regional Leadership Summit 2026. The event brought together 123 members representing all 17 chapters across the region.Watch the recap video to relive highlights from the Summit.

The Summit created space for chapter leaders to strengthen their leadership skills, exchange perspectives across borders, and turn shared learning into practical ideas for their boards and chapters. Attendees included chapter leaders, Regional Council members, Experts, facilitators, and speakers.

The event’s Mandala theme reflected the spirit of the gathering: Every perspective and contribution forms part of something greater. Throughout the Summit, leaders shared experiences, learned from one another, and strengthened connections across the APAC community.

Building Stronger Leadership Through Connection

Regional Council and Experts alignment meetings and team building on Coral Island provided opportunities to strengthen relationships ahead of the main Summit. Chapter leaders also gathered for an opening dinner at Baan Rim Pa before two full days of learning and collaboration.

Keynote sessions with leadership consultant Esther Blázquez and leadership coach Sahil Sondhi complemented role-based breakouts for chapter officers. Participants moved between learning and working sessions designed to help them apply ideas directly to their chapter leadership roles.

Learning Across Chapters and Leadership Roles

Cross-chapter connection was central to the Summit experience.

During EO Leadership Speed-Dating, attendees connected with peers from different chapters and leadership functions. The format emerged as one of the strongest highlights in post-event feedback. Members also participated in Pick Your Journey breakouts covering board success, growth, succession, artificial intelligence and tools, retention, diversity, and chapter funding. Breakout conversations were turned into practical resources after the Summit, extending the learning beyond the event.

As one attendee from EO Adelaide shared: “The speed networking and the collaborative sessions were really valuable. Only wish we could have done it sooner.”

An attendee from EO Indonesia East highlighted the role of connection: “The connection, speed dating, the whole format fits perfectly. The energy and the people matter.”

An attendee from EO APAC Bridge shared: “Connections and immense learning to level up my board role.”

Leadership and Impact Recognition Ceremony

The Summit recognized members and chapters for achievements across the Asia Pacific region:

• Women members: EO Thailand was recognized for the highest percentage of women members.
• Members under 35: EO Indonesia East and EO Indonesia were recognized for the highest percentage of members under age 35.
• Retention: EO Philippines was recognized for the highest retention rate.
• New member recruitment: EO Melbourne was recognized for the highest number of new members recruited during the last fiscal year.
• Absolute net growth: EO Malaysia was recognized for the highest absolute net growth.
• Relative net growth: EO Pacific Diamond Bridge was recognized for the highest net growth relative to its starting chapter size.
• Tenured members: 38 members from across the region were recognized, including 30-year member Rosemary Tan from EO Malaysia.
• New members: 35 members were recognized.

The EPIC RLS Beach Dinner and Party closed the Summit with a final evening of connection following the learning and working sessions.

Post-event feedback reflected the value participants placed on the experience. The Summit received an overall satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5 and a 4.5 out of 5 rating for value for time invested. Participants identified human connection as the greatest source of value, with EO Leadership Speed-Dating and role-based breakouts among the strongest highlights.