21 August 2012, Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia [Julian Hibbert, tedNEWS] A key ingredient of every successful conference is the ability of the convening team to handle detail. They must think through and list the requirements for each component of the event, down to the finest detail.
I was interested in how the Trans-European Division (TED) team, tasked with organising the European Pastors’ Conference, would handle these details – and they impressed me from the start. Their communication of the programme, the registration procedure, the hotel reservation requirements, the destination options, the duties of those involved and the ‘pick-up’ arrangements at the airports – were all done well ahead of time.
Were they on time to fetch us? Yes! In fact, we were in our air-conditioned bus and on our way within ten minutes or so of collecting our luggage at the airport. Upon arrival at the hotel, the TED’s red-shirted welcoming group processed us smoothly with firm handshakes and warm smiles.
Then came my first personal test of their efficiency – had they remembered to reserve a single room for me? I would need that privacy for some late night editing on MESSENGER. Yes, they had!
These weren’t the only “little details” TED had sorted out – we received conference bags filled with books, music DVDs . . . and even a water bottle to help survive Slovenia’s hot summer temperatures of 37C.
The arrangements in the main auditorium on the opening night were finished on time – another key feature of successful conference management. There was no “faffing about” with sound, lighting or decor. The pulpit party was in place and the worship team were ready.
So when Miroslav Pujic, TED Communication & Media director, said, “Start” – the conference did just that!
Bravo to the TED convenors – so far, too good! [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor; Dragana Selakovic-Duval, Frederic Duval & Tor Tjeransen, photographers
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