There are conferences taking place around Australia and New Zealand every day - association conferences, industry conferences and internal company conferences.

So, what can give a conference a competitive edge?

Kathryn Laslett from Corporate Challenge Events has outlined the nine key ingredients of successful conferences in 2017.

1. An experienced PCO

“An experienced Professional Conference Organiser will guide you every step of the way from the planning to the delivery of the conference. They will also help secure the best arrangement with venues and suppliers through their event management connections.”

2. An efficient registration system

“The registration of delegates and speakers can often be time consuming and stressful especially with the booking of flights and accommodation. An efficient online registration system is a ‘must’ particularly one that can be tailored to your conference.”

3. A suitable venue

“The venue will leave a lasting impression on your delegates. It is important to consider location and accessibility, size, number of rooms, outdoor access, lighting, air conditioning, aesthetics, parking, accommodation, AV and catering.”

4. Catering for your audience

“Everyone enjoys nice food and drinks. At a conference, catering should be appropriate for your audience, setting, schedule and theme. It can add variety with sit-down, cocktail style and outdoor options to consider.”

5. Highly credentialed speakers

“Content is the key to your conference. Your choice of speakers and topics is critical in the attraction of delegates. Work out what you want to achieve from the conference and identify speakers that will help you achieve these objectives.”

6. Reinvigorating team activities

“It is important to break up your conference program with team building exercises. Sitting in a conference theatre for hours on end can disengage your audience, so the inclusion of team activities to provide a rejuvenating break is beneficial.”

7. Breakout training sessions

“Another great way to engage with delegates and provide variety in the program is to feature breakout corporate training sessions. These can be run concurrently in smaller groups and provide tailored and targeted training for that particular group.”

8. An entertainment focus

“Providing an appropriate entertainment component to the conference will enable everyone to mix and mingle in a social environment and sample the destination and its attractions. It’s important to consider your audience, scheduling and theme.”

9. Technology for engagement

“Explore how technology can be applied for greater audience engagement and content accessibility. There are tools available like event apps, live polling and live streaming to provide information to delegates and provide alternate avenues for response and collaboration.”

Corporate Challenge Events is a leader in conference planning, corporate events planning and corporate team building activities with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Auckland.

For more information on visit www.corporatechallenge.com.au or www.corpchallenge.co.nz

ENDS

For further information contact:

Corporate Challenge Events
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 3 9753 2562
1/12 Macro Ct, Rowville, VIC 3178
www.corporatechallenge.com.au