In the tradition of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, the Chicago Center develops and sponsors group relations conferences and other related training programs based on the application of psychodynamic and open systems theories. Since 1988, the Chicago Center has sponsored one or two group relations conferences each year.

A group relations conference provides a powerful and distinctive means for participants to learn from their own experience how to take up authority, leadership, and participation in increasingly responsible and effective ways. Learning more about social systems can advance greater individual professional development as well as greater organizational and social system effectiveness to address the challenges of the 21st century.

In addition, the Chicago Center sponsors ongoing Peer Consultation and Study Groups in which CCSGO members and other interested persons learn together from studying and applying concepts such as authority, role, task, and boundaries to the understanding of their own work situations.