Onsite, Virtual, and Blended Conferences

This is the most common type of conference where people are brought together on an annual basis, usually around the same time of year, to discuss organizational business, set new goals, approve budgets, etc.

The essential purpose of this type of conference is to produce specific learning outcomes.  Much attention is paid to evaluation as well as meeting stated outcomes (i.e., new knowledge, behavioral changes, etc.).  These events are also referred to as workshops, symposium, or training sessions.

Most professional organizations use their annual meetings for this purpose. Government agencies use this forum to explain new rules and regulations and to receive direct feedback from the public or delegates.  These events are often referred to as public comment meetings, symposiums, workshops, or informational meetings.

Generating New Ideas and Proposals

Conferences using brainstorming, synergy strategies, and other creative thinking experiences are specifically geared to provide participants with new ways of looking at old concerns.  These events allow many people who function better when they are stimulated by the experiences and expertise of others to make significant contributions.  There are ideas and proposals that are best generated by a group. 

Conferences that bring about coordination and makes effective use of the various resources are in high demand due to Six Sigma and other quality improvement strategies.

Decision Making

Conferences that are specifically called to make decisions, set organizational platforms, develop formal recommendations, or decide a new strategy.

These conferences are usually called to inspire people  to do more.  This format works well for sales meeting, volunteer meetings, new product launch, etc.).

Team Leadership

Conference Design

Climate setting, content, schedule, finale

Conference theme development, theme reinforcement

Identify keynote speakers, hosts and introducers, moderators, panels, and other resource people.

Coordinate breakout, concurrent, repeat, and prerequisite sessions.  Develop session tracks.

Special interest groups, job exchanges, field trips, spouses and children programs, banquets, recreation, business sessions, message boards

Develop conference requirements (i.e., number of hotels number and types of meeting spaces needed, types of facilities needed, number of delegates, exhibit space, group meals, etc.); identify potential properties suppliers; negotiate with hotels, convention bureaus, and suppliers; arrange site inspections; negotiate travel discounts; and arrange all logistics).

Map exhibit space, solicit and register exhibitors, schedule exhibit logistics, and manage exhibit floor .

Conference Program Guides

Design, layout, production

Sponsors, site personnel, floor and room diagrams, conference design and tracks, exhibit information, special events, daily sessions and activities, contact list.

Onsite Conference Management

Online Registration

Web enabled, real time registration statistics and demographics

Oversight