In 1998, National Capital Resources was renamed as Envision EMI, and one year later, CYLC held its first international program, the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC).

[12] As of 2006, the combined companies had over 200 staff members and annual revenues of over US$75 million, with over 47,000 students from fourth grade through college attended Envision programs around the world.

[12] According to the 2008 IRS filing for one of its subsidiary programs, the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, "all full-time staff working on the account of CYLC are employees of Envision EMI LLC.

[16] In October 2011, substantially all the assets of Envision EMI, LLC were acquired by Leadership Platform Acquisition Corporation (LPAC), an newly formed[20] affiliate of Gryphon Investors, which describes itself as "a highly respected San Francisco based private equity firm with a strong commitment to the field of education.

"[19] In June 2012, the company hired John B. Richards, the former head of Starbucks' North American operations with a marketing background in the hospitality industry, as its new CEO.

[24] Envision offers career exploration programs in the following fields: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business, National Security, and Game Design.

[25] Prior to the 2017 Summit, the company partnered with Discovery Education in a program through which high school students interviewed and reported on candidates for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The core program of the conference consists of three components ("three S"): During the rest of the time, topics are prepared and discussed in so-called Leadership Group Meetings (LGM).

During the program, students who attend receive instruction from Rice University faculty and hear from experts in the aerospace and aviation fields, including former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao.

During the program, students stay on the campus of Georgetown University and visit embassies and military sites in and around the Washington, DC area.

Held on the campus of George Mason University, the program allows students to select one of three unique tracks and includes a visit to the Virginia Serious Game Institute.

During Envision programs, students are given the opportunity to learn and exchange ideas with business leaders, politicians, lobbyists, journalists, diplomats and academics.

Students can also apply to attend the programs here "...during which you will write two short essays and provide the name of a mentor – teacher, guidance counselor, coach, etc.

– who can speak to your achievements and maturity, and who may be contacted to offer supporting information for your application.” The company seeks attendees who have a 3.0 or higher GPA, demonstrated leadership potential through extracurricular activities, and provide two short, written essays on their career goals.

[citation needed] In 1999, 2003, and in November 2007, Envision EMI was cited in "Great Places to Work: Where to Launch a Career" by The Washingtonian Magazine.

[37] The faculty at George Mason University has approved several Envision programs for elective college credit in "Special Topics in Leadership.".

Students are evaluated for "active participation in simulations, contributions to discussions and demonstration of leadership and critical thinking skills in group and individual settings."

[citation needed] George Mason University notes that "it is unlikely that this type of credit will have a significant bearing on the college admissions process.

[39] The company markets its programs to what it describes as "high achievers"[40] and "an elite group of outstanding young people"[41] which it identifies via recommendations and mass mailings.

[28] Many high school students believe that attending one of Envisions' conferences is an honor and that their participation will positively affect their chances for college admission.

"[48] Patrick O'Connor, the director of college counseling at the Roeper School for gifted students in Birmingham, Michigan, reported that he is "happy to nominate whoever wants to go.

Participants received a letter congratulating them on being "accepted to be among the thousands of students" to "witness first-hand the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States.

[50] A former employee of Envision, Angie Peltzer, returned as a faculty adviser during the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conferences and said she believed the company was unprepared to handle the number of students.

As a result, the company pledged an independent review headed by Benjamin R. Civiletti, the Carter administration attorney general, and set aside US$1 million for restitution.

"[51] On May 13, 2009, the law firms Hausfeld LLP and DiMuroGinsberg PC filed a class action lawsuit, Radosti v. Envision EMI, LLC.

[53] The plaintiffs filed suit against Envision and CYLC citing breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, and violations of state consumer protection laws.

[54] According to the lawsuit, delegates were told they would attend a "Black Tie Gala", when the actual dress code was "professional business attire (suits)".

Class members may only transfer the vouchers to individuals who meet Envision's academic qualifications, including a demonstrated grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

[55] He also wrote that class members are forced to help Envision EMI stay in business and are compelled to deal with the same firm that failed to deliver the initial conference for which they paid more than $2,300 to attend.

As a result of Ackerman's efforts to inform members of Congress of CYLC's tactics and conversion to for-profit status, dozens of Representatives withdrew their names and ultimately the "board" was disbanded.