I recently asked this question of Jack Murray – serial conference organiser! Jack and his team organise social media training workshops constantly and large events such as Media Future. These are the words of wisdom.
Start with a business plan for the conference or event – know what you want to get out of it and then work backwards……
1 – Write down your goals and agenda
2 – Calculate your budget and stick to it
3 – Find the right Conference Hotel or Conference Venue – there are plenty of experts to help!
4 – Decide on the right set up relative to what you want to achieve at the conference
5 – Get help! Put together a committee and delegate and ask the staff at the venue do they have guidelines, what do they need in advance, establish guidelines.
6 – Walk through the venue – so much will just pop into your head when you are walking it through, imagining your event there and talking it through with someone else!
7 – Decide on Speakers
8 – Think about the menus – do you need sit down food or networking, finger food?
9 – Put an online registration and payment plan in place