Conference Producers are often at the forefront of B2B Events and Publications businesses. The primary aim of a conference producer is to research and create current, exciting and commercially viable events within a particular industry such as Law, Commodities, Finance and the Public Sector. The purpose of which is to create networking and knowledge transfer opportunities for paying delegates, event sponsors and event speakers. Producers are responsible for putting together the content for business conferences, but this responsibility can extend to the production of seminars, training courses and webinars.
Key tasks and responsibilities include:
Market Research & Analysis – In-depth phone based research of key subject areas and hot topics within a particular industry sector. Identifying the target audience and finding out what they want /need to know.
Portfolio Development – Topic generation to assist in the delivery of future commercially viable events.
Speaker Acquisition –Identifying high-level, influential industry experts and to invite them to speak at selected conferences and events.
Copy Writing – Writing promotional copy in the form of a conference programme, in the language of your target audience and insuring that all sales-driven materials such as web, direct mail and email copy will maximise delegate attendance.
Onsite Attendance – Attending events to ensure excellent delivery and smooth running on the day. Often this will include opening your conference. This is an opportunity to represent the company and to network with key players and speakers within the sector.
Project Management – Working as part of a team and across various departments to ensure timely and on budget delivery of events. Conference producers will have to make financial decisions that will have significant bottom line impact and will work with Marketing and Sales (delegates and sponsorship) Managers to create effective promotional strategies.
For entry-level positions, companies seek candidates who have been educated to degree level (2.1 & above). A research / academic degree is preferable although candidates from various degree backgrounds would be considered. Candidates wishing to apply for a position as a Conference Producer must be able to prove that they have good commercial awareness, strong communication skills and an entrepreneurial attitude. An additional language sometimes proves advantageous as would prior work experience or an internship.
As part of the assessment process, candidates are usually given a brief and asked to research topics and speakers and submit their own conference programme.
