By Dalma Novak 2026 Past VP, IEEE Technical Activities
Recently, as part of the development of the IEEE Technical Activities 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan, a new Societies and Councils Congress event was included as a proposed initiative. The objective of this new strategic leadership gathering is to bring together senior volunteer leaders from across IEEE Societies and Councils as well as Technical Activities to learn, collaborate, innovate and create strategic impact. The inaugural S/C Congress is being organized to take place immediately following the 2026 IEEE Sections Congress in Glasgow, Scotland from 24 – 25 August 2026. Co-locating the IEEE S/C Congress with the IEEE Sections Congress, the triennial in-person gathering of IEEE Section leadership, will maximize collaboration opportunities for volunteer leaders across the IEEE.
The theme of the IEEE S/C Congress is “Leading Innovation: Shaping the Future.” It is designed to:
- Unite senior S/C and TA volunteer leaders to network, learn, and shape future priorities of their OU as well as IEEE Technical Activities;
- Provide an interactive platform to share best practices and discuss challenges and opportunities;
- Identify solutions to enhance S/C member experiences, strengthen S/C operations and inform S/C strategic initiatives and priorities; and
- Strengthen leadership pathways in Societies and Councils as well as Technical Activities.
The program for the S/C Congress has been developed for participants to learn, network, and innovate. It will be held over two days and comprises role-specific parallel tracks as well as joint sessions highlighting key IEEE and TA programs and resources. The breakout sessions will showcase Best Practices, Technical Activities and IEEE engagement opportunities, as well as strategic interactive roundtable discussions focusing on addressing the challenges and identifying solutions.
The high-level program for the inaugural IEEE S/C Congress is shown below highlighting the themes for the various joint and breakout sessions The program also features additional evening networking events. Following the close of the Sections Congress on Sunday 23 August there will be a joint S/C Congress Welcome and Sections Congress Closing Reception at the Scottish Event Campus where attendees of both events will have the opportunity to meet one another and engage.
Participants at the IEEE S/C Congress include senior S/C Volunteers involved in various S/C activities and volunteer portfolios, senior Society and Division leadership, senior IEEE TA volunteers and staff, as well as other senior IEEE volunteers and staff. IEEE Sections Congress attendees are also encouraged to participate in the S/C Congress. Join us in Glasgow in August to empower our volunteer leaders and shape the future of IEEE Technical Activities!
