Difference Between Meetings And Conferences Explained

The main difference between meetings and conferences lies in their scale, purpose, and structure.

Meetings are generally smaller, focusing on discussions within a team or organisation, while conferences are larger events designed for knowledge sharing, networking, and professional development across various industries.

At Easthampstead Park, we’ve hosted hundreds of meeting and conference events, and we’re excited to share our expertise on the subject with you.

Read on for a more in depth breakdown.

Conferences vs Meetings Key Differences

While both meetings and conferences involve the gathering of individuals to share information and ideas, they differ in several key aspects.

Location:

Meetings: Typically held in-house or virtually via platforms like Teams or Zoom. However, some meetings take place in corporate event venues to change the scenery or provide space for team-building activities and catering, adding that extra touch of wow.

Conferences: Mostly held in dedicated venues that meet specific technical and accessibility requirements.

Scale and Duration:

Meetings: Typically smaller in scale, involving a limited number of participants, and usually last from a few minutes to several hours. 

Conferences: Larger events that can last from one day to several days, often accommodating a large number of attendees.

Purpose and Objectives:

Meetings: Focused on specific topic, decision-making, problem-solving, or project updates often within a team or business. 

Conferences: Typically aimed at sharing knowledge, professional development, networking, and exploring industry trends across organisations.

Formality and Structure:

Meetings: Can range from formal to informal, featuring flexible agendas that can be adjusted as needed.

Conferences: Often more formal, with a predefined agenda, potential guest speakers, and structured sessions.

Planning and Preparation:

Meetings: Can often be organised on short notice with minimal planning. They typically occur within the business office or at a local corporate events venue.

Conferences: Require extensive planning including venue selection, guest speaker arrangements, catering, and scheduling of various sessions.

Participants:

Meetings: Usually involve individuals from the same organisation or team.

Conferences: Conferences are typically open to participants from various organisations, industries, or fields, with invitations or sign-up options available.

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We hope this has helped clarify the distinction between a meeting and a conference.

Understanding the differences is key to choosing the right event for your needs.

For more related reads check out "Fun Team Meeting Ideas" and "How to Make a Presentation Interactive."

Frequently Asked Questions Related To The Differences Between Conferences And Meetings

How do meetings and conferences differ in terms of structure?

Meetings can be more informal and focused on specific topics with a clear agenda. Conferences on the other hand have a more formal structure often with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking events planned throughout the day.

Do conferences or meetings have more networking opportunities?

Conferences generally offer more networking opportunities with social events and spaces designed for attendees to meet and exchange ideas. Meetings usually have limited networking, as the focus is on internal discussions.

Which is more interactive, a meeting or a conference?

While both can be interactive, conferences often feature more interactive elements like workshops, Q&A sessions, and panel discussions, whereas meetings are more focused on discussion and decision-making within a smaller group.