subject: The Differences Between A Meeting, A Symposium, A Panel Discussion, And A Conference [print this page] In this article we will make you aware of those occasions when people come together, think and speak in various structures. These can be classified as conventions, workshops, conference, panel discussions, symposium, the forum, or a briefing session. We will tell you how all these differ from one and another.
A meeting or a convention is usually coming together of people from the same organisation. It gives a periodic report on some on going activity, or can be called to plan ahead for future course of actions. The convention consists of general sessions and includes sessions like face-to-face meetings, symposia, or lectures.
The purpose of a seminar or a workshop is to create knowledge by interaction. The main purpose is to get trained by the experts. Here too the format is divided into sessions: first the general session and then the participants break up into smaller groups.
The pane discussion is held to exchange ideas and expression agreement and disagreement on points of mutual interests. The moderator guides the whole discussion and defines differences. This discussion may or may not have a genera audience.
The conference is held primarily to address an ongoing problem. To solve this problem policy formulation can take place too. The participants are joined together by a common interest in the issue.
The symposium presents various insights into a subject matter by experts. The format is such that there are various speakers and a chairman. After all the speeches have been delivered the audience can ask questions from the speakers.
The forum is a kind of debate where the speakers have to take sides on a topic. The forum and debate are a little different. In a forum questions are taken from the audiences but in a debate they are not.
The briefing session is done to inform or instruct the members belonging to the same organisation. The experts brief the audience in a from of lecture or give a live demonstration. The questions from the group are taken during the briefing and even after it.
