How do you make a conference partnership work?

1 Define your objectives

Before you approach any potential partners, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your conference and how a partnership can help you. Do you want to increase your audience, enhance your content, or access new resources? Do you have a specific theme, niche, or problem to address? How will a partnership benefit both parties and add value to your conference? Having a clear vision and purpose will help you identify and attract the right partners for your event.

2 Choose your partners wisely

Not every organization or individual that shares your interest or topic is a suitable partner for your conference. You need to do some research and due diligence to find out if they have the reputation, expertise, and resources that match your needs and standards. You also need to assess if they have compatible values, culture, and goals with yours, and if they are willing to commit and cooperate with you. Look for partners that have a track record of successful collaborations, a clear communication style, and a positive attitude.

3 Negotiate your terms

Once you have found your potential partners, you need to negotiate the terms and conditions of your collaboration. This includes defining the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each partner, the budget and resource allocation, the timeline and milestones, the deliverables and outcomes, and the contingency plans. You also need to agree on how you will communicate, coordinate, and monitor your partnership activities, and how you will resolve any conflicts or issues that may arise. Make sure you document and sign a formal partnership agreement that outlines all these details.

4 Collaborate and communicate

The key to a successful conference partnership is to collaborate and communicate effectively throughout the planning, execution, and evaluation stages. You need to establish regular and clear communication channels with your partners, such as emails, calls, meetings, or online platforms. You also need to share information, feedback, and updates with them, and listen to their ideas, suggestions, and concerns. You need to respect and trust your partners, and acknowledge their contributions and achievements. You also need to be flexible and adaptable, and willing to compromise and adjust when necessary.

5 Evaluate and celebrate

After your conference is over, you need to evaluate and celebrate your partnership results. You need to collect and analyze data and feedback from your partners, attendees, speakers, sponsors, and other stakeholders, and measure the impact and outcomes of your collaboration. You also need to report and share your findings and learnings with your partners, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your partnership process. You also need to thank and appreciate your partners, and celebrate your successes and challenges. You also need to decide if you want to continue or end your partnership, or explore new opportunities for future collaborations.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?