What is Vistage? CEO Coaching, Executive Peer Groups, & Mastermind Groups
Vistage is the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. We offer the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.
What is a Vistage Group?
Your Vistage group gives you the perspective you need to make better decisions.
A Vistage peer advisory group is made up of 12-16 other CEOs or local business owners. It’s like having a confidential, private advisory board to troubleshoot problems, vet ideas and identify blind spots.
The local business leaders who make up the peer advisory group are always from non-competing industries and have no agenda but to help each other succeed. Vistage offers different programs for CEOs, small business owners, key executives and emerging leaders.
The benefits of Vistage Membership
When you’re a Vistage member you’re part of a group of other CEOs, business owners or key executives who are committed to helping each other make better decisions, get better results and become better leaders.
After coaching 100,000+ CEOs for over 65 years, Vistage has identified a proven approach for making better decisions and getting better results for your business.
You have an executive coach you respect and trust, and a confidential advisory board to help you think through issues.
You set aside one day a month to work on your business, rather than staying stuck in the weeds and spinning your wheels on unresolved issues.
You have a time-tested, approach for moving your business forward and growing it faster.
What happens in Vistage group meetings?
Vistage members set aside one day each month to meet with their peer advisory group and work on their business, not in it. That means they make time to tackle the big-picture plans, as well as the issues that may be holding them back. During the meeting, they help each other vet ideas, troubleshoot strategies and find solutions together.
Meetings are facilitated by an executive mentor (Vistage Chair) who uses a proprietary method for keeping the conversations focused and productive.
At most meetings, a subject matter expert will run a workshop to help members generate new ideas to apply to their businesses.
How is Vistage different?
Many executive groups offer networking or peer support, but Vistage stands alone in providing a comprehensive, proven framework for decision-making. The Vistage difference lies in our proprietary “triad” approach, which combines three critical elements you won’t find together elsewhere:
- Professional Facilitation, Not Just Moderation: unlike peer-led forums, every Vistage group is led by a Vistage Chair—an accomplished former CEO or executive trained to facilitate high-level discussions. They ensure meetings are focused, productive, and dig deep into the root causes of your challenges, rather than staying at the surface level.
- Integrated One-to-One Coaching: Your relationship with your Chair extends beyond the group meeting. Monthly private coaching sessions provide a confidential space to process sensitive issues and ensure you are held accountable for your goals.
- World-Class Expert Speakers: We bring the outside in. Vistage meetings frequently feature workshops from vetted subject-matter experts who provide actionable insights on the specific trends and economic forces affecting your business right now.
Furthermore, Vistage groups are strictly curated to ensure no competitors are in the room. This guarantees a safe, confidential environment where you can be radically honest about your financials, strategy, and fears without reservation.
What is a Vistage Chair? (CEO coach)
Vistage Chairs are an elite group of executive mentors (CEO coaches). They have a strong financial acumen, excellent management skills and an innate entrepreneurial spirit.
In their role facilitating peer advisory groups, they have the opportunity to greatly impact the lives of other business leaders in their communities.
They also conduct one-to-one mentoring sessions with each Vistage member to help them better clarify the issues holding them back — and the opportunities that can propel them forward.
Is Vistage worth it?
For more than 65 years, Vistage has been helping CEOs, business owners and key executives solve their greatest challenges through confidential peer advisory groups and one-to-one executive coaching sessions with accomplished business leaders.
Today, more than 45,000 members in 40 countries rely on Vistage to help make better decisions for their companies, families and communities.
The results prove it: Vistage CEO members grew their annual revenue on average by 4.6% in 2020, while nonmembers with comparable small and midsize businesses saw revenue decrease by 4.7% according to an analysis of Dun & Bradstreet data.
And, on average, CEO members stay with Vistage for more than 5 years.
These CEOs explain why Vistage is worth it
Sean Berkley
Vice President, Berkley International
We each have a Vistage group, that’s three separate pools of feedback from some of the most successful and smartest minds in the area. It has really sped up our problem-solving .
Pamela Jung
Founder & CEO, Healthcare Talent and Workforce Solutions Group
If I weren’t a member of Vistage, I wouldn’t be here today. The members of my Vistage group saved me personally and professionally. Vistage has been an invaluable experience for me.
Michael Russell
Chief Executive Officer
H.J. Russell & Company
Vistage has certainly been helpful in helping me and my organization fulfill the missions that I think are important. Your engagement in a Vistage group can lead you to better decisions.
Mark Marmo
CEO, Deep Well Services
I’m a totally different person. It’s because of what Vistage has showed me. It’s helped me evolve into a better person and a better CEO.
How much does it cost to join Vistage?
Joining Vistage is an investment in your business’s growth and your own leadership development. Because we offer specialized programs tailored to different roles—from CEOs and business owners to key executives and emerging leaders—membership fees vary based on the specific program and your location.
Typically, membership includes a one-time enrollment fee and monthly dues. This fee structure covers your monthly peer advisory group meetings, one-to-one executive coaching sessions with your Chair, access to proprietary research and workshops, and inclusion in a global network of over 45,000 leaders.
While the cost is comparable to hiring a deeply experienced consultant or attending a top-tier executive education program, the return is year-round, continuous support that drives measurable results. In fact, analysis shows that Vistage member companies grow their annual revenue 4.6% on average, while comparable non-member companies see a decline.
To get the specific rate for the program best suited to your role and region, please fill out the form below to connect with a Vistage representative.
How to join Vistage
Complete this quick form and, if you qualify, a Market Leader will be in touch to answer any questions, inform you of introductory events in your area and share exclusive content with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vistage
What is the time commitment for Vistage members?
Consistency is key to getting value. Most Vistage programs involve one full-day group meeting per month and one monthly 1-to-1 coaching session (1-2 hours) with your Chair. Members find that this “day out” of the business allows them to work on the business rather than just in it, saving them time in the long run by preventing costly mistakes.
Will there be competitors in my group?
Never. We carefully curate every group to ensure that no two members are from competing industries. This strict non-compete policy creates a completely confidential environment where you can share financials, strategy, and sensitive challenges openly.
Can I join if I am not a CEO?
Yes. While Vistage is renowned for its CEO programs, we have dedicated peer groups for Key Executives, Small Business Owners, and Emerging Leaders. Each program is tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of that specific role.
Who runs the Vistage meetings?
Meetings are facilitated by a Vistage Chair—an accomplished business leader with decades of executive experience. Unlike casual networking groups, Vistage Chairs are professionally trained to keep discussions focused, challenge your thinking, and drive accountability.