5 Things You Should Know When Planning a Conference

1. Exactly what you’re getting yourself in to.

2. it’s expensive.

3. Everyone will not support you.

4. People are rooting for you and supporting you that you don’t know.

5. Everything will happen, the way it should.

1. Exactly what you’re getting yourself in to.

Have you ever planned a trip? Okay cool, planning a trip is nothing like planning a conference. While planning a trip can bring relief and a sense of relaxation because you’re imagining that enjoyable escape, planning a conference or event can do the opposite, especially if there’s a fee involved. Don’t misinterpret me now, planning a conference can be enjoyable too, however there is a burden that you can’t share with your friends that you probably can share on that trip, its a “weight” that you have to carry until well… the mission is complete. Whether you’re organizing a business, technology, or religious conference it is for the benefit of someone else, and all you know is that you have information for them that they need that must be packaged well and strategic.

2. It’s expensive.

Oh yes, expensive! You need a budget in place and multiply that by 45 and you should be good. Just kidding. Kinda. Sorta. Not really. Plan well, and know when to ask for help. You should recruit volunteers when you can, but do not shy away from actually hiring help. When developing your budget all things should be considered such as; marketing, speaker fees, venue, stage set up, etc. Seek sponsors, but don’t depend on them.

3. Everyone will not support you.

Although this shouldn’t be alarming in many cases it is, and that’s okay, I want to first share with you that you have people who morally support what you’re doing, but may not financially support you and it could be a host of reasons; maybe they feel like they’ve done enough or they simply don’t have the finances to give at the moment. You will have many people that congratulate you, but those hundreds of accolades will not all translate into funds. Some people will support you financially, but not morally and it could be out of spite and nosiness and you should be okay with that too. Why? Because you can’t control people and you shouldn’t exhaust your energy into such, just keep building.

4. People are rooting for you and supporting you that you don’t know.

Don’t just look for familiar faces, network and market outside of your normal reach. There will be people you’d bet show up and they will be nowhere in sight, but the beauty in this is that it’ll leave room for people who are genuinely rooting for you and not just out of familiarity that you don’t even know. Some people will say that they’re coming or will support you, but don’t count on that until all fees are paid. When we focus so much on who’s not doing what we tend to overlook or take for granted the ones that are doing everything. I hosted the second annual Pk RoundTable Conference this past February and most of our registrants were from out of town and at first I was a little discouraged, but then I got so happy. Who’s for you is for you.

5. Everything will happen, the way it should.

Lastly, everything that is destined to happen, will. Whoever is supposed to show up, will come. Do your research, outsource help, meet your budget and do whatever you feel led to do. If God has called you to it, he will Grace you for it. Just Rest.

-Canesha (CJ the PK) Henry

If you need assistance with conference or event planning, I’d love to help!

pkroundtable@gmail.com