Of all the conference formats, the 2-day format is often favoured by organisers and delegates alike.
If the event is well organised, 2 days seems an ideal amount of time to tackle the work sessions in depth, set aside times for networking and socialising, and keep costs under control for both organisers and delegates.
In Toulouse, the teams at MEETT (the Occitan capital’s Exhibition, Convention and Conference Centre) help organisers plan their events and answer any questions they may have.
2-day conference: Deep immersion and sustained commitment
A rich working session in plenary
The plenary sessions are the high points of conferences. They are key moments that set the beat for an economic sector, take stock and highlight prospects and innovations.
Hosted by personalities renowned for their expertise, it’s a source of inspiration for professionals and a breeding ground for discussion during networking sessions.
However interesting they may be, plenary sessions have to contend with the new ways in which delegates consume information and quickly become bored. So it’s important to offer a dynamic, modern experience that evolves the format without damaging the content.
4 ways to liven up a plenary session at a 2-day conference
- Keep talks short
- Invite a moderator who is the master of time and ensures that the plenary session is dynamic
- Use an upbeat approach with music and lighting effects
- Keep delegates’ interest alive with online votes or quizzes
- Amplify interaction by displaying the feed on the conference social networks on a giant screen.
Workshops and round tables to enhance skills
Complementing the plenary sessions, the workshops and round tables provide an opportunity to explore issues in greater depth.
These more intimate formats give delegates the opportunity to immerse themselves in in-depth discussions, ask specific questions and exchange views with their peers.
Once again, to ensure that these working sessions turn into positive and useful experiences, it is important to focus on new subjects that are relevant to the issues facing the sector.
Being more interactive in nature, workshops and round tables require less activity in terms of format.
Nevertheless, role-playing, hackathons and speed meetings are excellent ways of reinvigorating the delegates’ experience.
A format that encourages effective networking
The combined format of plenary sessions, workshops, round tables, and cocktail and gala evenings offers a variety of key moments and relaxation ideal for making meaningful business contacts.
Coffee breaks, lunches and dedicated networking sessions create informal moments conducive to business conversations.
There are many ways to expedite networking: collecting business cards, avatars meeting each other, card games where you have to find people who share your colour, creating a fresco or a joint work of art, escape room, but also the ever-effective speed meetings, wishes and expectations table etc.
These ideas need to be adapted to suit the audience.
However, the key to successful networking at a 2-day conference is the quality of the organisation, the welcome, the facilities and the comfort.
Ideal duration, a breath of fresh air and controlled costs
A conference represents a cost. It is therefore essential for all delegates to ensure a positive return on investment by making the most of these key moments while keeping costs under control.
Tighter organisation costs
For delegates, leaving their workstations to immerse themselves in a conference is a major challenge.
Transport, accommodation, catering and even stand-related costs all add to the hidden cost of the absence of a company employee or manager.
A 2-day conference will contain the financial impact on these various items. Few strategic decisions cannot wait 48 hours for the teams to return from the conference before being taken.
2 days to gain some perspective
The 2-day conference provides a healthy breathing space for delegates, allowing them to disengage from their day-to-day activities for a limited time, to take a step back, find out, learn and identify new opportunities.
This 2-day immersion does not disrupt the regular running of the company or require reorganisation of assignments.
Long enough to attract international interest
Ideally being held on Thursdays and Fridays, 2-day conferences will attract an international clientèle who will also be able to extend their stay over the weekend and take advantage of the benefits of a conference city such as Toulouse.
