Conference

Conference• gathering of people

• common interest or background

• to learn about and to discuss issues, ideas on a topic of mutual concern

• brings together people and ideas

• generating or working toward solutions to problems or broader social change

• to advance knowledge or practical application in the field

Conference

Types of Conferences1. Academic conferences

2. Professional association conferences

3. Training conferences

4. Issue- or problem-related conferences

1. Academic conferences

• centered around a single subject, and sometimes on a single topic within that subject

1. Academic conferences

• presenting their research, work, and theories, and defending, expanding, or changing them in response to questions, criticism, and other feedback from colleagues

2. Professional association conferences

• focuses more on practical issues, both having to do with the actual work participants do

3. Training conferences

• include workshops on methods and techniques, information on new regulations

• exchange of experience and methods among people from a number of different organizations

4. Issue- or problem-related conferences

• to inform and to energize people about the issue

• to create a critical mass of concern about it

• to develop strategies for approaching it

Why organize a conference?1. There’s an issue that needs examining.

2. The field needs a conference.

3. Your organization or group wants to start an annual gathering.

Why organize a conference?4. There’s a crisis or opportunity that should

be addressed.

5. You may want to establish the legitimacy of the field.

6. Feedback from the field or the community may demand it.

Why organize a conference?7. A funder may demand it.

8. You may want to enlist people to advance the field, either through their work or through advocacy.

9. It’s a matter of prestige, credibility, or credentials for you or your organization.

Phases in Organizing a Conference

• Creating an organizing structure

• Planning the conference

• Publicizing the conference and recruiting and registering participants

• Running the conference.

• Evaluating the conference and the conference-organizing process.

Phases in Organizing a Conference

Creating a Conference

1. Agree on the purpose of the conference.

2. Identify your target audience. 3. Set a length and date for the conference.

4. Plan the format

KeynoteBreak out Groups/ SessionsFinal Speaker

Creating a Conference

Keynote• a speech or

presentation, usually by a well-known or inspirational speaker

• introduce the theme of the conference

Keynote

• kindle attendees’ enthusiasm, and/or make them think

Breakout Sessions

• Lectures or similar presentations

– informative sessions presenting practical or theoretical ideas or methods relevant to the work

Breakout Sessions

• Workshops

– teaching of methods, techniques, or other skills or related activities

• Important factual information

– new regulations, political/advocacy issues, state of the field, etc.

Breakout Sessions

• Show and tell

–sessions where participants share what they’re doing in their work.

Breakout Sessions

Wrap-up/ Final Speaker

• sends people home thinking about the issue, and feeling that they had a coherent experience

5. Address conference logistics

6. Coordination and troubleshooting.

Creating a Conference

References:

• Rabinowitz, P. (2013). Organizing a Conference. Berkowitz, B. (ed.). University of Kansas: The Community Tool Box. retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/sub_section_main_125.aspx