Conference Planning Checklist: A Director’s Responsibilities (Long-Term)

First, we believe it’s important to come together once a year to share experiences; to learn new tools, teaching strategies and problem-solving techniques; to compare strategies for assessment of learning; and to gain insights from experts in the field. Through past conference surveys, we know a major benefit of the conference, as listed by participants, is time to network face-to-face with others working in the field. So we continue to invite those interested to come to Madison for a frenzy of sharing and learning over a one-week period each year.

I recently retired and was asked to share my major roles with the new director, Les Howles. This has given me a chance to reflect on my major tasks to plan, implement and evaluate our conference, in addition to directing our certificate programs and performing divisional/campus roles. Below are the major responsibilities involved in hosting the Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning.

Twelve Months to Conference

• Debrief and decide on possible improvements to the schedule, presentation types and logistics for next year’s conference.




• Ensure the resource library is updated with additional materials (videos, proceedings papers, handouts, slides) from all speakers.




• Ask the advisory group members for suggestions for next year’s keynote speakers.




• Investigate possible keynote speakers (watch videos of past presentations and/or transcripts, interviews, and other examples of these speaker’s topics and delivery style).




• Email the top two keynote speaker candidates to invite them to speak, giving them the details of dates, place and compensation.




• Send planning committee members data on registrations and the compiled results from the conference evaluation and virtual conference evaluation for their review prior to the planning meeting.




• Hold a teleconference to discuss changes and solicit ideas for the next conference from the fall planning committee.




• Continue negotiations to confirm keynote speakers and negotiate via email or phone to hone in on the exact titles, discussion descriptions and brief bios.




• Scan other conferences’ websites for new presentation formats and event ideas.




• Refine the conference schedule, presentation types, and assign tentative locations for events.




• Work with the division’s graphic designers on a visual for the conference web banner that will carry through on all of the print pieces.




• Develop content for the conference website to announce the next conference and call-for-proposals.




• Develop content for the conference call-for-proposals and ensure it is printed and distributed prior to Thanksgiving.




• Review and update/revise the online proposal submission form.

Nine Months to Conference

• Confirm planning committee members’ participation in proposal reviews and have them hold dates for the reviews.




• Update, test and refine the online proposal review and scoring form.




• Encourage proposal submissions by taking one (or both) of the following actions:




• Announce on LinkedIn Groups and other social media forums; and




• Send requests to leaders and organizations in the field, etc.




• Assign proposal reviews and send them to pre-determined reviewers.




• Ensure the review process for the annual awards is underway and participate in the review of proposals.




• Assign staff to participate in making final determinations of proposals accepted.

To read the second installment of Terpstra’s Conference Planning Checklist, please click here.