Attended #RaisinaDialogue2020 last week. The content (talks and panels) was excellent. And so was the organization of the event.
Conference organization issues are some of my pet peeves (see tweet below) and hence want to highlight all the best practices at this conference. 1/n
Conference organization issues are some of my pet peeves (see tweet below) and hence want to highlight all the best practices at this conference. 1/n
Some of these are basics...but not often adhered to at conferences (especially in India).
Sessions started and ended, dot on time...with very few genuine exceptions.
No time was wasted in unduly long preambles or introductions of speakers (bios are available online/print).
2/n
Sessions started and ended, dot on time...with very few genuine exceptions.
No time was wasted in unduly long preambles or introductions of speakers (bios are available online/print).
2/n
No formalities of 'token' gifts or mementos to speakers and panelists. This takes up unnecessary amount of time at most conferences!
Only a short break (under 30 sec) for a group photo of the panel/speaker..that's it...and then we move onto the next session.
3/n
Only a short break (under 30 sec) for a group photo of the panel/speaker..that's it...and then we move onto the next session.
3/n
All panelists chairs had fixed microphones. This avoided the issues (and delays) associated with setting up collar mics and/or hand-held mics.
For audience Q&A stationary mics were put up at multiple points (instead of an organizer running around with a mic...).
4/n
For audience Q&A stationary mics were put up at multiple points (instead of an organizer running around with a mic...).
4/n
For audience Q&A - multiple questions are collected upfront and then answered in the ordered preference of the panelists and the anchor.
Explicit instructions given by the anchor to audience about short specific questions...no comments. (In other words, no rambling).
5/n
Explicit instructions given by the anchor to audience about short specific questions...no comments. (In other words, no rambling).
5/n
Most anchors did their job very well. They spoke less, and got the panelists to speak. Also, balanced the topics across panelists quite well.
Anchors also have a job of politely interrupting a panelist if they go on for too long (and/or off topic).
6/n
Anchors also have a job of politely interrupting a panelist if they go on for too long (and/or off topic).
6/n
Conference badges have major issues: font size too small; 50% are flipped over to reveal the blank side.
#Raisina2020 badges had names printed in big bold fonts, on both sides.
Networking is a key element of most conferences, and getting the name badge right is key.
7/n
#Raisina2020 badges had names printed in big bold fonts, on both sides.
Networking is a key element of most conferences, and getting the name badge right is key.
7/n
To make the most of a busy conference, sessions were scheduled all the way from 9 am to post dinner, including panels over lunch and dinner.
This is optimum usage of time. All too often, lot of time is wasted in conferences.
8/n
This is optimum usage of time. All too often, lot of time is wasted in conferences.
8/n
There are few more best practices worth highlighting... I will add to this list later.
For now, would like to thank @samirsaran, @MEAIndia and team #Raisina2020 (@orfonline @orfevents @raisinadialogue) for organizing great conference. Look forward to #Raisina2021
9/n
For now, would like to thank @samirsaran, @MEAIndia and team #Raisina2020 (@orfonline @orfevents @raisinadialogue) for organizing great conference. Look forward to #Raisina2021
9/n
