subject: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Conferences [print this page] In these tough economic times, companies are working very hard to ensure that they are maximising every pound that they spend, ROI has never been so important.
Despite this increased emphasis on results driven conferences, more and more people outside of the profession are being asked to work outside of their comfort zones and deliver projects that they will previously have been given to expert conference professionals.
So with people thrown into situations that they know nothing about, some may look to the internet to provide some tops and advice on how to organise the perfect conference.
These tips cover everything from setting your budget, picking the right venues and how to make sure your event is a success.
Here are a few:
1) Be confident about your budget and objectives, get confirmation of what the budget is and stick to it
It might sound like an obvious point, but you will be surprised about how many times budgets are spent and the desired return on investment isn"t achieved..
Budgets are being stretched but don"t forget that everyone is feeling the pinch this includes venues and caterers. So you can get more than you hoped for or some great deals to enhance your event.
2) Setting your programme
Make sure that you know what you want your conference to achieve. Ensure you message is clear and that everything is pointed towards your end goal. Make sure the content is as relevant as possible.
3) Find the right venue
So you have decided what you want do a conference and what you want the event to achieve, but now comes one of the more difficult parts, picking a venue. You need to make sure that the venue is easy to get to. You will need to make sure that there are good public transport links or that the venue provides places to park their cars.
When considering your venue why not look at something a bit quirky. Perhaps a venue that people don"t think you can hold events in. Something that will get people talking about your event before it takes place. Perhaps the venue can offer some sort of activity that can help with break out events such as great views or a bowling alley.
4) Promoting your event
So you booked the venue. Now you need to make sure that people come to your event. So as well as using your social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter, ask the venue if they can promote your event though their social media channels.
Ask them to tweet about your event or to "like" your event on Facebook.
Another route to take would be to ask the venue if they can promote you though their e-marketing lists. This might include putting the event into any emails they send out. This could lead to more people attending your event.
5) Set regular refreshment breaks and try and arrange for something a bit different to be served
Conference can be long affairs. With talks, presentations and seminars going on for most of the day.
So in order to make sure that people are taking in all your points you are going to need to keep them fed and watered.
Fruit smoothies, "sugar rush" stations, "brain" food stations "" something to encourage delegates to chat while out of the conference room will encourage networking and reinvigorate the delegates can lead to success
6) Equipment
Make sure you are confident in the company that you are using for your event and you have a trial run before the speaker is in place.
The above was only a flavour of some of the elements that could help your conference planning process. They may seem basic but you will surprised at how many people get the basics wrong and as such, their conferences misses the mark.
For a more comprehensive advice resource on how to hold the perfect conference, visit www.venuereservations.co.uk. They can provide a range of nationwide conference venues and any help you need to ensure its success.
