Conference Planning Checklist - 10 Things to Consider When Engaging Speakers

It can be a great challenge to organize a seminar orneeds booking needs booking months in advance.
conference, but for many people who are given thisTiming is essential to get everything right. The
duty to do, it can be a matter of maintaining theirgreater percentage of frequently asked questions
job or it may lead to getting a coveted promotion.need to be considered and answered before they
To plan a successful conference or seminar, an eventare asked, because during the hectic day when the
planner needs a few tools and a fair amount ofevent is taking place, people are far too busy with
insight into what is needed.other things to make decisions on the fly.
A timeline needs to be created and the first plan ofConference Planning Checklist - 10 Essentials For
the event nutted out fully so that the purpose ofSpeakers
the event is clearly understood. Do you need newSo here are 10 examples to consider placing on your
clients, do you need to brand your company, do youconference planning checklist when you are engaging
need to spread the word about something new? Aspeakers for a seminar or conference.
company wants an event created that will achieve- 1. List and make the final confirmation of selected
their purpose, as well as being fun for thespeakers with the committee.
participants.- 2. Contact the chosen speakers to request their
The creation of a conference planning checklist is likeparticipation.
the building of a train track.- 3. Send follow-up letters to confirm the speakers
You start with a map of the terrain, discover wherecommitment, their program agenda, its title and a
you need to place the track and where to place thedescription of their session.
resources to overcome obstacles and then you- 4. Request the speakers biographies or profile and a
create a timeline for the event. Along the timeline,photograph.
you will need a range of conference planning- 5. Prepare the descriptions of the speakers profiles
checklists, in place ready to check off at variousfor your program and promotional material.
important stages along the timeline.- 6. Send a letter to confirm the exact wording that
It can be very difficult to try and balancewill appear in the program description for each
organization duties with the responsibilities of aspeaker.
current job. That is why it is important to have a- 7. Request or prepare photocopies of all handout or
team (or two or more teams ) of helpers that canpromotional materials.
have jobs delegated to them. To keep track of what- 8. Book the required audio visual equipment, and
each delegated job is and which team are working oncheck the venue room setup.
it, you need a good schedule system and this- 9. Plan travel and accommodations for the speakers.
information about "which team - what job" also- 10. Maintain contact with the resource person just
needs to placed on the conference planning checklist.prior to the conference for last-minute arrangements.
Each grouping of jobs needs to noted on the variousAnd 5 More Essentials for the Conference Planning
different conference planning checklist and linkedChecklist For On the Evening of the Event:
back to the timeline. Separating starting jobs from- 1. Inspect the room arrangements, the equipment,
completed jobs helps as well.and the handouts.
Below are ten steps that might be added to a- 2. Meet with the speakers to introduce fellow
conference planning checklist when you are engagingcommittee members or resource people.
speakers for a conference. A similar event planning- 3. Escort the speakers to their rooms and inform
checklist needs to be constructed for the caterer, orthem about meals, etc.
for the DJ. These steps are only guidelines, because- 4. Be available to facilitate speakers' requests at all
each conference or seminar will have a specifictimes.
agenda particular to your company. That said, most- 5. Thank them for their participation before they
events have some specifics common to all, whetherleave.
the event is a special event party, a destinationThe average conference or seminar is generally
wedding, a convention, a conference or a seminar.planned and coordinated by a busy person trying to
The conference planning checklist (or event planningbalance the hosting of the conference or seminar
checklist, or seminar planning checklist) is an essentialwith their regular jobs. That can be a very taxing
tool to any event co-coordinator and the morething to try to do especially if that person has never
detailed the check list is, the better - as much can godone it before. Write up detailed checklists and check
wrong by simply assuming it will all just work out.everything off and you won't end up with a train
When you invite people to an event, their comfortwreck. In fact you'll probably get that promotion.
and enjoyment is of prime importance. Anything that