A well-planned program interrelates the above three factors with conference events, presentation methods , and event scheduling . Your mission here is to design the best combination of events, presentation methods, and scheduling to serve your conference. Your program should not be set so rigidly that it does not allow some flexibility. All conferences need a registration period even if all conferees are preregistered. Attendees must still check in, pick up conference materials, and receive conference information.
Many conferences schedule one or more orientation sessions.
These sessions permit conferees to learn more about the conference or its sponsors and can also make first-time attendees feel welcomed. Most conferences have an opening session, which may feature a keynote speaker. A keynote speaker, if one is invited, should energize and set the tone for the remainder of the conference or at least for the day. Other speakers may be used instead of or with the keynote speaker, such as an officer or local member of the sponsoring association or local officials. Ceremonies, award presentations, musical groups, film presentations, or other exciting events may be part of the opening session.