Logistics of doing a conference/workshop

[AHAInterestingTimes]

I'm talking about anything from huge conferences like DefCon or ComicCon to smaller gatherings like Steve's workshops. Would be very interested in any thoughts on the logistics of these things. As in how to get guest speakers, marketing, venue costs, pricing, etc. How could one apply the 80/20 principles to this area? Maybe hold the conference in an unconventional place? Entice guest speakers to come in spite of one's cash-strapped budget by paying them in natura

[AHAInterestingTimes]

HOW TO RUN A CONFERENCE

[Rob Ozanne]

One of my guises is Operations Manager for a personal development training company. As such I regularly organise, promote and run events.

You question is so broad it's difficult to come up with a useful response. Is there an aspect which you are particularly interested in?

[Thekla]

The people I know who run such events got into it by volunteering or working at large events, and taking on increasing responsibility at the events over time. Essentially an apprenticeship model

[OnionJack]

A /=/ B in your case.

Holding a conference like DEFCON is nowhere near the same as holding a workshop with 1-50 people. Just think of the vast differences in logistics needed.

You may still be able to attract some top notch speakers and possibly vendors to a smaller group, even if it's not as easy. But it will take more work.

If you tell Kevin Mitnick you want him to speak at DEFCON about whatever he wants to, do you think you'll have a problem booking him?

What about if you ask him to clear his schedule to speak to a group of 35 people, while limiting topic to X. Which is why it comes down the speaker and how you approach them.

[AHAInterestingTimes]

Good points. My networking skills are pretty sharp, so I don't think that part will be the bottleneck so to speak. What requirements do guest speakers usually have? Get paid for speaking? Travel expenses? Accomodations?

[PerDev]

How to start from group of 2-5 people to organized BIG workshops within few years ? whats the secret

Originally Posted by Rob Ozanne

One of my guises is Operations Manager for a personal development training company. As such I regularly organise, promote and run events.

You question is so broad it's difficult to come up with a useful response. Is there an aspect which you are particularly interested in?

[Rob Ozanne]

I don't think there is any secret, with any skill the critical factor is continuous improvement. The more you do it and test new ways of doing things the better you will get at it.

Running events is just like any business. When you start you 'work off the back of a fag packet', then as you grow you build the network, client base, team and systems that enable you to function at higher and higher levels.