The Dialogue Shop is an integrated consultancy firm focused on helping associations, professionals societies, and foundations achieve success.

 

We believe today's environment requires a different kind of organization and thus, a new approach to leadership, growth, and engagement. Our expertise lies in working with your team to define your organization’s vision, align your leadership and staff under that vision, and help create communication pathways to those that matter most. 

We are driven by a passion to deliver unique and successful solutions to complex organizational challenges. We work closely with team leaders to ensure that our approach is reflective of their goals and that their investment yields its intended results. 

Originally founded by Brian Riggs, The Dialogue Shop is now a joint effort between Riggs and Brian Summers, who’s lifelong dedication to the association marketplace has resulted in a unique approach to moving associations and societies forward.

 



Facilitated Workshop Clients

FedEx

Greater Georgia Concrete

IJIS Institute

John M Hall Construction Company

The Preeclampsia Foundation

Association for Environmental Geologists (AEG)

American Sports Builders Association (ASBA)

National Association for State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO)

International Association for Women in Aviation (IAWA)

American Probation and Parole Association (APPA)

National Organization of Nursing Associations (NOA)

 

Speaking Engagements

MASAE 2021

Construction Financial Managers Association (CFMA) Annual Conference 2021

ASAE 2022

Western Independent Bankers (WIB)

Weisman Children’s Leadership Symposium

Stringfellow Management Group

Rodenhiser Home Services

 

Training & Development

Weisman Children’s Hospital - Leadership and Emerging Leaders

Multnomah County - Community Services Division, Leadership Training

Perfect Communications

Passehl Financial

Construction Financial Managers Association







 

Brian took a different approach to strategic visioning with our Board. It fully engaged our entire group and generated ideas that will be useful for constituencies within our association, outside the actual plan. The ideas and results from this process will take our Association to places we could never have imagined before this process. We thought we had “covered all the bases” before this exercise.

- Fred Stringfellow, CAE 

 

I cannot thank you enough for presenting such a strong and meaningful training session to the executive committee of the board.

~ Veronica Cunningham, CEO

 

I just wanted to say thank you for your two sessions at the WIB Emerging Leaders Conference.  I really appreciated not only your content, but your teaching style.  The involvement of the audience was impactful, giving real examples for us to connect to.

~ Tracy Ford, Corporate Trainer

 

“I just wanted to tell you that you did a fantastic job at the conference! You were entertaining and an amazing speaker!”

~ Chanbopha "Amy" Sen, UCLA- Fielding School of Public Health

 

"Our team is just starting to compile the reviews from last week and yours our out of control.  Everyone keeps saying they wished they’d had more time with you. So we’d like to grant that wish and discuss having you join us at Ed Summit in September."

- Hannah Day, Vice President of Education

We are always on the lookout for amazing facilitators.

If you enjoy unlocking moments for teams and driving solutions through collaborative dialogue, please connect with us.

Qualifications

  • Experienced facilitation in strategic planning, brand development and designed learning engagements.
  • Ability to think on your feet, interact with a diverse groups of people.
  • Spirited and driven to help others.
 
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Our Team

 

Brian Riggs

CEO, Lead Facilitator

Brian Riggs is a native of New Jersey where he currently resides with his wife and two daughters. He first joined the public sector in 1997, when he served as the research historian for the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. In 2007 he was hired by Association Headquarters, Inc., an association management company, where he began designing and executing organizational engagement, strategic planning, vision sessions and appreciative inquiry sessions for both the public and private sectors.

Today Brian is the CEO of the Dialogue Shop, a company that specializes in organizational engagement with a strong focus on leadership development, strategic planning and internal and external communications. More specifically, he and his team work closely with leadership teams and organizations on organizational effectiveness, change management and developing a purpose-driven mindset.

Some of his most recent work includes strategy development and support for the Federal Express (FedEx), The Flight Safety Foundation, the American Probation and Parole Association, The IJIS Institute, Tetrus of Princeton and the Department of Corrections, Wabash County Indiana.

The Dialogue Shop works with both nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies. In his role, Brian develops and supports key initiatives designed to inspire and elevate mid-management and emerging leaders within organizations. Riggs holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, a master’s degree from Rutgers University, and is a graduate of Cornell University’s change leadership program.

Brian Summers

VP of Ops, Lead Facilitator.

Brian Summers is a seasoned organizational strategist and consultant who helps associations and mission-driven organizations build strong leaders, effective operations, and results-oriented strategies. With more than two decades of executive-level experience, Brian specializes in translating organizational vision into actionable plans that foster growth, alignment, and measurable impact.

 

Throughout his career, Brian has earned a reputation for combining strategic insight  with practical execution. He has guided organizations through change by focusing on  four interconnected areas: strategic planning, leadership development, learning development, and operational excellence and he has achieved those areas through
his experience, skillset, and effective facilitation.

 

As a Certified Association Executive (CAE), Brian brings a deep understanding of governance, volunteer leadership, and team dynamics.  He has led numerous strategic planning sessions, facilitated board and staff retreats, ran a local organization, and developed leadership programs that strengthen collaboration, trust, and accountability across teams.