CONFERENCES THAT WORK: Creating Events That People Love [Paperback]

Adrian Segar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1601459920 | ISBN-13: 978-1601459923

Expert conference facilitator Adrian Segar supplies a penetrating analysis of the limitations of conventional conferences, a clear explanation of a compelling alternative, and a complete road map to creating a meaningful and memorable conference experience for every attendee-every time.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A revealing look at the limitations of traditional conferences, and a complete road map to creating a more effective alternative.

"Simply the most productive type of conference I've been to."
"My best professional development experience all year!"
"The roundtable and the magic that happens after that almost guarantees success."
"It is an incredibly fulfilling experience to be able to not only participate in a conference but to shape its future."
"The format is excellent for collaboration and networking."
"This conference changed the trajectory of my life and studies."
-Comments from peer conference attendee evaluations

Author and peer conference expert Adrian Segar shows you how peer conferences use innovative group process to not only generate the right conference sessions but also encourage meaningful and memorable attendee interactions. Using insightful sidebars illuminating key details as well as real-world stories illustrating important concepts, he guides you step-by-step through his proven strategy for creating productive peer conferences that attendees love.

About the Author

Adrian Segar has organized and facilitated conferences for over 20 years.

He is a former elementary particle physicist, information technology consultant, professor of computer science, and co-owner of a solar manufacturing company. He lives in Marlboro, Vermont, is active in the non-profit world, and loves to sing and dance.

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc. (October 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601459920
• ISBN-13: 978-1601459923
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Adrian Segar has organized and facilitated conferences for over 20 years.

He is a former elementary particle physicist, information technology consultant, professor of computer science, and co-owner of a solar manufacturing company. He lives with his wife Celia in Marlboro, Vermont, is active in the non-profit world, and loves to sing and dance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make your next conference one that people will love, November 18, 2009

By 

Naomi Karten "Author, Speaker" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CONFERENCES THAT WORK: Creating Events That People Love (Paperback)

Adrian Segar knows whereof he speaks. He is that rare individual who understands the power, value, and sheer wonderfulness of small participant-driven conferences -- AND also knows how to plan, design and run such a conference. I've talked with Segar about this topic on several occasions and have also participated in a conference that he nurtured into reality and that people did indeed love, just as this book's subtitle promises.

Segar's information is on target and his advice works. Way too many conferences are anonymous, talking-head, shut-up-and-listen, you-have-no-say-about-the-topics types of conferences. These conferences may work for the people who sponsor them; it's the participants who lose out -- the people who devoted their time, spent their or their company's money, and in many cases, traveled a long way to attend.

If you're unfamiliar with small, friendly, interactive, energizing, everyone-gets-to-know-everyone, participant-driven, learning-with-and-from-each-other conferences, this book makes a compelling case for them. If you're lucky enough to already be familiar with these conferences, you'll find yourself nodding in agreement as you read the case Segar makes. And for everyone, whether or not you've had the pleasure of attending such a conference, you'll learn in great detail what is entailed in making one happen. Yes, it takes work. But YES, it's worth the effort. Especially with Segar's book and his solid, step-by-step advice to guide you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I read it - I did it - It works!, March 2, 2011

By 

Traci A. Browne "Trade Show and Conference Sp... (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CONFERENCES THAT WORK: Creating Events That People Love (Paperback)

For not being a meeting planner, Adrian Segar knows a lot about the details that go into an event. If you are considering a peer conference you MUST buy this book. I devoured it cover to cover and am now producing peer conferences for different industries. So far the reviews are incredible. One of the main things that stuck me is how Adrian has figured out, and covers in his book, ever minute detail. People often think unconferences have no structure. Adrian's method has a solid structure as its base so there is plenty of room for the creativity the attendees can provide.

I would encourage readers to do everything exactly as stated in the book your first run. After that you can see what can be tweeked. Things that may seem insignificant to the event on first reading, you will find have great significance when you are actually in the process.

Tip: Take this book with you when you go on your site visit. The checklist and formulas are invaluable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for ANY Conference/Camp Planner, September 6, 2010

By 

Gregg Marshall (Aurora, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CONFERENCES THAT WORK: Creating Events That People Love (Paperback)

There are more and more xxx-camp's (insert your topic at the xxx's) every year, all based on the original barcamp idea. I think Adrian's term, Peer Conference, is much more descriptive of what these volunteer driven events are.

If you are getting involved in organizing a camp, this book is for you. It is THE how-to manual. Frankly I can't imagine anyone trying to organize a camp without this book. I've been to a number of camps, and almost every "mistake" or hiccup I've seen at one might have been prevented with the sage advice and instructions included in this book.

If you are running a traditional conference, especially association meeting planners, you should read this book. Annual conferences are the lifeblood for most associations, and for many for profit groups. Yet listen to attendees and most will say the networking is as important as the content. Conferences I attend are marketed as a collection of content, frequently including stuff I have no interest in. Attend a session that sounds promising and it may not be what is advertised or the speaker "sucks." More and more I don't need to travel to hear great speakers, I can watch them on-line, like the talks on [...] or [...]. I'm not advocating switching completely to a Peer Conference structure, but incorporating it into a traditional conference has exciting possibilities.

Conferences That Work completely documents how to organize Peer Conferences with a design that dramatically increases the networking while virtually guaranteeing the content--the attendees pick the topics! It works because at any conference there is more expertise in the audience than could ever be assembled on stage.

Back to re-read the chapter on Site Selection...