Energize Your Base with a Convention or Conference Planning

What is the difference between a convention and a conference?

Conventions and conferences are both large-scale events that bring your base (prospects, clients, team members, company executives, sponsors, etc.) together. The difference lies in the purpose of the event. 

A convention rallies people around shared or common ground. Created by a company or an organization, the purpose is to encourage internal discussion and has a less formal feel.  

A conference brings the consulting or problem-solving factor into play. You’ll generally have more keynote speakers and encourage attendees to learn from the thought leaders in their field.

Event speaker at a convention or conference

How to plan a successful conference or convention

There are thousands of conferences or conventions held each year. Standing out from the crowd takes a particular approach and unique content. Start with a clear purpose and event design strategy. Your target audience needs compelling reasons to invest their time, attention, and money to attend your event. 

Start with content that covers in-demand topics, hot issues, and industry trends, and see where it leads. You may want to add a special offer on your product or services for participants who attend. Your conference or convention can generate new business leads or strengthen connections with current clientele. 

Challenges in Planning a Convention/Conference

Inspiring speaker at a conference or convention.

Some of the questions that come with planning a conference or convention are:

  • What will you do to energize your attendees with new ideas and information?

  • How will you position your company, products, or services as industry leaders in the best possible way?

  • What virtual elements will you include, and how will you market these options?

You may need surveys, social media posts, or inquiries with industry contacts to test the waters. Your network of thought leaders offers a built-in resource to help select insightful content that will intrigue audiences and sponsors. 

Ultimately, your team must create excitement that drives registrations through marketing within your target community months before the event.

How Iron Peacock Events can help you

We’ll work with you to focus on all the details from the audience’s perspective. You want each attendee to receive a VIP experience!

Accomplishing this includes: 

  • A smooth and intuitive online registration system that can process payments.

  • Choosing sponsors and vendors that complement the experience.

  • Curating the content for logical flow.

  • Organize the event to connect presentations and workshop discussions.

  • Allowing attendees to catch their breath, network, discuss what they’re hearing, and even check their emails.

  • Choosing an event location for quality food selections, environment, and event needs.

  • For virtual elements, tailoring creates a networking experience and special incentives.

 

Along with all these complexities, we know you need to keep your budget on track. Our project management includes creating an initial budget to align your pricing with your attendance targets. Our ongoing financial management keeps you on top of actual costs with real-time tracking and reporting every step of the way.

We ask the tough questions, anticipating the issues based on our years of event planning experience. As we help implement plans, promotions, and programs, we’ll help you attract and engage the ideal participants.

Looking to plan a convention or conference in the coming months?

Let the Iron Peacock Events team help you strategically plan every step of the way.