CONFERENCES AND TRADE SHOW PET PEEVES - UNDERESTIMATING SPACE REQUIREMENTS

I received a conference registration packet for a large national conference, and after reading the breakout descriptions and speaker biographies, I knew I had to attend. The session topics were tailored for my current career path, and I knew I would be able to pick up a lot of great information that would benefit both me and my organization.  I got permission to go, registered for the sessions I planned to attend, and invested over $2,000 of my company's money (conference fees, airfaire, hotel stay, food, etc.) in order to participate in this valuable educational experience.

Here's what I found when I arrived at the first breakout session:

The room was packed - every seat was taken and people were sprawled on the floor and spilling out into the hallway - what you don't see in this picture are the dozens of others who were turned away and left to peruse the agenda to find another session to attend, or camp out in the hallway in front of their next breakout so they would be assured a seat!

Conference planners - it's important that the venue you select has the capacity to accommodate your attendees, and that you have a contingency plan if your attendance exceeds your original estimates.  Have stacks of overflow chairs in each room, offer a repeat of an especially popular topic, or locate the breakout in a space that has the ability to open an air wall to expand.  How have you dealt with this problem at your events?