10 LESSONS FROM A LARGE CONFERENCE

AHRC: LANDSCAPES OF SECRECY

The CIA and the Contested Record of American Foreign Policy, 1947-2001

10 LESSONS FROM A LARGE CONFERENCE

AHRC: LANDSCAPES OF SECRECY

The CIA and the Contested Record of American Foreign Policy, 1947-2001

1. Content is the key1. Content is the key

Get the right people there Ask well ahead Sufficiently wide range of areas New areas Call for papers on emerging trends? Round tables - informality

Get the right people there Ask well ahead Sufficiently wide range of areas New areas Call for papers on emerging trends? Round tables - informality

2: Planning Time2: Planning Time

Nine months to a year ahead Important to book your space Visit alternative spaces Set firm deadlines for your attendees Early bird?

Nine months to a year ahead Important to book your space Visit alternative spaces Set firm deadlines for your attendees Early bird?

3: Financial Issues3: Financial Issues

Sponsors - corporate crowd-sourcing Registration fees - exhibitions Contracts with conference centres Financial regs Audiovisual costs Student fellowships/helpers/interns Freeloaders – the professorial parasite

Sponsors - corporate crowd-sourcing Registration fees - exhibitions Contracts with conference centres Financial regs Audiovisual costs Student fellowships/helpers/interns Freeloaders – the professorial parasite

4: Date and Location4: Date and Location

Other conferences? Slipstream a main conference? Inexpensive accomm/airfares Vegas? Gregynog?

Other conferences? Slipstream a main conference? Inexpensive accomm/airfares Vegas? Gregynog?

5: Create a Balanced Agenda5: Create a Balanced Agenda

Well-known speakers versus early career The ECF ghetto on the last day Time for socializing and schmoozing Book displays How many parallels? How early to start?

Well-known speakers versus early career The ECF ghetto on the last day Time for socializing and schmoozing Book displays How many parallels? How early to start?

6: Helpers/Organizing Committees6: Helpers/Organizing Committees

Can your department help? Can you hire someone who has done it? Can you expand your staff a month before? Will the committee think up more tasks? Web/marketing/funds/submissions/ dinner/prizes/expenses/accomm

Can your department help? Can you hire someone who has done it? Can you expand your staff a month before? Will the committee think up more tasks? Web/marketing/funds/submissions/ dinner/prizes/expenses/accomm

7: Communicate Regularly7: Communicate Regularly

Meet monthly then weekly then daily Meet with the venue people Communications during the conference? How will your participants communicate List of attendees emails is helpful to all

Meet monthly then weekly then daily Meet with the venue people Communications during the conference? How will your participants communicate List of attendees emails is helpful to all

8: Emergencies8: Emergencies

Evacuation Home emergencies Medical Security

Evacuation Home emergencies Medical Security

9: The End9: The End

Thanks Feedback The Party - not at the end Next year? Building a series?

Thanks Feedback The Party - not at the end Next year? Building a series?

10: Long-term Impact10: Long-term Impact

Published proceedings Back Door Broadcasting - £3k What are the alternatives? London? Annuals workshops?

Published proceedings Back Door Broadcasting - £3k What are the alternatives? London? Annuals workshops?