CONFERENCE PLANNING TABLE

IALL (1997)


Note: The following table can be used to help organize a regional (or larger) conference. Please refer also to the Conference Planning Guidelines for more information on the issues listed here. Please send suggestions or comments to read@lss.wisc.edu.

Topic Issues Who will handle? When? Comments (costs, contact person, phone, etc.)
Permission from university Will there be support from dean (etc.) for time and resources to pull off this conference?
 
 
 
 
University conference planning office
 
 
 
Set a date Room availability (large groups, meals, computer labs)
 
 
 
 
Consult local or national board/officers
 
 
 
 
Conflicts with other conferences
 
 
 
 
Conflicts with campus activities (e.g. classes, football weekends)
 
 
 
Organize a committee Local, regional, national members
 
 
 
 
Logistics of communication (meetings, email, phone)
 
 
 
Reserve rooms and labs Costs?
 
 
 
 
Scheduling
 
 
 
 
Technology available?
 
 
 
 
Large rooms for general sessions
 
 
 
 
Locations for registration, conference headquarters
 
 
 
 
Areas for breaks
 
 
 
 
Areas for demos
 
 
 
Program development General topic/theme
 
 
 
 
Call for presenters
 
3-6 months ahead of time
 
 
Organize program
 
 
 
 
Coordinate rooms with anticipated attendance
 
 
 
 
Special AV/computer requirements
 
 
 
Promotion Promotions chair
 
 
 
 
Announce meeting dates
 
As soon as possible
 
 
Mailings (how many, when, to whom, bulk rate requirements)
 
 
 
 
Mailing lists from regional/national groups
 
 
 
 
Web and electronic (email, listserv) promotion
 
 
 
 
Brochure (design, duplicate, etc)
 
 
 
Housing Identify hotels, dorms, etc (consider location, cost, quality)
 
 
 
 
Negotiate group rates, other amenities (shuttles, etc.)
 
 
 
 
Reserve blocks (guarantees, cancellation policies, etc.)
 
 
 
 
Registration procedures (directly with facilities or via conference registration)
 
 
 
Transportation Maps and travel guidelines
 
 
 
 
Shuttles to/from airport(s)
 
 
 
 
Shuttles to/from lodging to conference
 
 
 
 
For special events
 
 
 
Food How many meals included in conference fee?
 
 
 
 
Breaks (drinks, snacks)
 
 
 
 
List of local restaurants/prices/locations
 
 
 
 
Special dietary allowances
 
 
 
 
Alcohol allowances
 
 
 
Management tools Database/spreadsheet software
 
 
 
Money Collect dues w/registration?
 
 
 
 
Meal costs
 
 
 
 
Set up university account
 
 
 
 
Procedures (name on checks, where to mail, etc.)
 
 
 
 
Method for paying expenses from account (accounting requirements)
 
 
 
 
Receipts for participants (preprinted, on site)
 
 
 
Vendor Display Will there be one?
 
 
 
 
Location, schedule, logistics
 
 
 
Outside support Vendor sponsored functions
 
 
 
 
Local business support
 
 
 
 
University contributions
 
 
 
Conference Packets What to include (maps, schedule, local info, writing materials)
 
 
 
 
Preparation (collecting materials, duplication, stuffing)
 
 
 
 
Distribution (how, when)
 
 
 
Name tags Size and type
 
 
 
 
How generated
 
 
 
Equipment Setup & support What is/can be available for presentations?
 
 
 
 
For lab sessions?
 
 
 
 
What and when to ask presenters for needs
 
 
 
 
When can presenters try out equipment
 
 
 
 
Support staff (setup, troubleshooting)
 
 
 
Computers What is/can be available? (Platform, OS, applications)
 
 
 
 
Who installs or sets up?
 
 
 
 
Who cleans up afterward?
 
 
 
Software What is/can be available? (Platform, OS, applications)
 
 
 
 
Who installs or sets up?
 
 
 
 
Who cleans up afterward?
 
 
 
Entertainment Information on restaurants
 
 
 
 
Local sites of interest
 
 
 
 
Family events (if a larger conference)
 
 
 
 
Conference sponsored activities
 
 
 
 
Scheduled free time
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

©1997 by IALL (International Association for Language Learning Technology).