Getting Started
Successful events result from careful and thorough planning. Consider the following issues to get your event planning started.
- Aim of the event - what you and your delegates are hoping to get from the event, eg. research papers, collaborations, expand knowledge skills, strategic alliances
- Types of event - your aim may dictate the type of event you organise:
- Conference: invited speakers and delegates apply for places
- Workshop: involves practical, hands-on sessions
- Symposium: delegates can submit applications to give papers
- Seminar: a regular series of small sessions with invited speakers
- Colloquium: invited delegates brought together for the purposes of discussing a particular subject or topic, usually with a view to developing a project or a specific course of action after the event
- Professional development course: delegates receive a certificate on completion of the course. Proposals for this sort of event.should include a note on arrangements made for the issue of certificate.
- Audience - open to non University members, students, staff and students?
- Size of the event - the number of people you envisage attending - include your speakers and any sponsors
- Timing - consider term dates, holidays, clashes with other events, public holidays, speakers holidays
- Speakers - allow enough notice to ensure they are available. Make sure the event is feasible before contacting them
- Venue - consider the venues available to accommodate your event
- Organisation - you may need a support team to help with clerical work, registration, care of delegates/speakers etc.
- Funding - research what internal or external funding is available. Speak to your faculty office.
