Planning Days are a good way for getting the key parties to work creatively together to devise and explore options for a site, neighbourhood or city. Participants will normally be personally invited. The aim is to have a cross-section of the main stakeholders. A briefing pack is sent to all those attending. Facilitators will often be from outside the area to provide a measure of independence.
Personal invitations are a good way to get a balanced attendance.
But avoid criticism of exclusivity by having spare places for others. One-day events can generate a wealth of information and ideas which can easily be lost. Make sure there are resources available for recording, presenting and following up the results. Holding an Awareness Raising Day a couple of weeks beforehand can be helpful to generate momentum. Plenary session Reporting back from the workshops.