City Summit's Atlanta Mastermind
Ryan Long, founder of City Summit and City Gala believes in advancing the community through humanitarian activities and events. City Summit is a series of 60 world-class, socially conscious business acceleration experiences held throughout the United States benefiting the 8 nonprofit beneficiaries of The City Gala. 
Proven business leaders, strategists, and business owners are featured to teach attendees how to increase revenue, generate leads, diversify revenue, establish authority, raise the value of their business, elevate brand awareness and concentrate on hyper-growth. The topics of the City Summit range from leadership, innovation, marketing, business fundamentals, operations, and inspiration. The ultimate goal is for City Summit attendees to learn, grow, and network.
The City Summits fund the City Gala. City Gala is held on the evening of the Academy Awards in Hollywood. City Gala assists start-up non-profit organizations in solving global challenges such as eradicating poverty, promoting health and wellness, feeding hungry, sheltering homeless, liberating slaves from human sex trafficking, and educating & mentoring the underserved.
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Ryan Long Photo Credit: Ryan Long©
Ryan Long, Founder of City Summit & City Gala
Ryan Long had a troubled childhood and started to make positive changes in his life after fathering a son while in his 20's. Long was very close to his grandfather. His grandfather was suffering from dementia and devastated the family by taking his own life.
Long moved in with his grandmother shortly after his grandfather died and began reading his grandfather’s personal development books which inspired him to create vision boards. He quickly discovered that all of his vision boards had a common theme — the concept of contributing and giving. He knew then that From that whatever influence he might achieve in his lifetime would be tied for himself not to fame, but to contribution. He would help musical artists be discovered. He would join with every one of influence he could gather with him to create opportunities to “connect and contribute” — an increasingly magic formula that he knew would be a central point of focus for the rest of his life.
Ryan Long and Mathew McConaughey Photo credit: City Gala
About City Gala
In 2014, the concept of the City Gala was born in order to assist startup, non-profits obtain seed funding so that they could launch into a full-fledged business. The idea was to bring highly visible, and influential individuals to speak on behalf of the charitable organizations, and attract large donors and sponsors.
After City Gala 2016, Long was contacted and invited to be the Executive Producer of the Novus Summit at the United Nations. The focus of the Novus Summit, which took place on July 17th, 2016 was to bring together leaders in innovation and technology and create a conversation on how to advance humanity into the future. That event, which took place in association with UN DESA, was centered on the Global Goals initiatives of the United Nations and featured a keynote speech by Xprize Founder Peter Diamandis among other notable speakers.
Ryan Long volunteers for the beneficiaries of the gala for a full year prior to the event. Long's goal is to train, develop, and assist each beneficiary of the gala that is aligned with solving the world's global grand challenges. The red carpet event has featured dozens of A-list celebrities like Ashton Kutcher & Matthew McConaughey. The program is fulfilling his dreams (and has become his primary business).
City Summit's Atlanta Mastermind
The Atlanta Mastermind event kicked off with a red carpet and networking opportunities and then went directly into speaking sessions from a variety of leaders in their field for the remainder of the afternoon. A key component at the event was a “Shark Tank” investor panel where individuals presented their entrepreneurial business ideas.
United Intentions Foundation (UIF) was the charitable beneficiary and focus at the event. UIF's mission is to provide resources for individuals, schools, businesses, to create, track, and manifest their intentions.
Presenters Hailey and Regan
The “Shark Tank” investor panel
Charitable Selection Process
I had a chance to sit down with Michelle Marie Matich, Producer, Director of Communications, and Event Manager for City Gala & City Summit to talk about the charitable selections for each summit. Charitable organizations that are looking to eradicate global challenges such as slavery, sex trafficking, hunger, homeless, and mental health issues are eligible to complete the application process for selection consideration. Charitable organizations that are interested can email Michelle at Michelle@citygala.org and request an application.
“I would love for attendees to walk away from this event more inspired to live with intention. The purpose of this event is to celebrate United Intentions and their desire for all of us to live with intention. I truly believe that when you let the universe know what you want, you will receive it.” Michelle Marie Matich.
Memberships are available at only $9.99 per month. Membership fees are charitable contributions to Global Unity – a program of International Arts & Philanthropy Foundation, Inc.
Featured speakers included:
About United Intentions Foundation
The United Intentions Foundation (UIF) was established in 2008 by socially conscious entrepreneur Tim Ray. UIF is (501c3). Located in Roswell, GA. They provide educational programs, resources, and a virtual community where individuals can create, track & manifest their intentions. Their vision is to awaken all people to the power of their intentions. Their mission is to provide resources for individuals, schools, businesses, to create, track, and manifest their intentions.
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35 Comments. Leave new
That sounds like it was an amazing time. I wish I could have been there for that.
Next year Stacie! We need to go to the City Gala in LA on Oscar weekend!
I love events like this. They’re great for making new connections and generally increasing visibility and of course, learning new strategies.
Me too! Thank you for your comment.
I commend Mr. Long, for his tireless dedication to a project of this magnitude. It takes a special person to take on an event such as this, and it sounds like it’s a huge success.
I think he is changing the world! Thank you for stopping by.
That looks like a great summit for whose who are interested in starting a business. I have to look into this especially since I live near Atlanta
It really is a wonderful event. Thank you for stopping by.
I absolutely love what this summit stands for. The part that you spoke about the founder wanting
attendees to “walk away from this event more inspired to live with intention.” really resonated with me. If we all could live life with more intention the world would be a much better place to live.
Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by!
I am truly amazed at how much City Summit has helped non profit charitable organizations. It is true that a little kindness, a little charity and a little empathy will definitely create a ripple of change!
I completely agree! Thank you for stopping by!
What an amazing event!! Love that they are helping charities!
It really was. Thank you.
What a great way to support the community. The success of this Summit will have a lasting footprint on all who participate. Thank you for sharing.
A summit like this where you can connect with other people is so awesome. Looks like it was such a great time!
I completely agree. Thank you for your comment.
What a great vision come me to pass. This man’s desire to give is inspiring to all and so commendable
What a great outreach. I love everything about it. It just so happens to be my passion as well.
Thank you! Charitable giving and supporting community efforts are my passion as well.
Sounds like an amazing event and one to remember.
It really was! Thank you.
It’s so wonderful that he crafted a life that helps others. I was sorry to see the news about his grandfather though.
It really is wonderful. I loved how his grandfather’s books helped him see his purpose.
I love when a community rallies together for a good cause. I think it’s awesome that they really care about so many important issues.
I completely agree. Thank you for stopping by!
This sounds like a really great event for multiple causes. Like Ryan Long you should see the light beyond the darkness.
I completely agree! Happy holidays!
Sounds like a great event! Love being able to help others!
Sounds like an amazing event, with incredible speakers! I have been looking for a mastermind group to join, too!
It really is amazing and you learn so much! Thank you for stopping by.
He sounds like a remarkable man! Love his mission to bring the community together and to help others!
Sounds like a wonderful event! I love the charitable focus and would love to attend a future City Summit in one of the other cities. I think the “Mastermind” would be very beneficial for my business. Thank you.
You’re welcome. I really got a lot out of the Mastermind. Thank you for your comment.
What a great event and cause. It was heartwarming to hear how he created this after such a tough childhood. He wanted to make a change. A change for the better. Aw, my heart!