Regional Conferences Program Overview
 

The Regional Conferences are recommended to run one day, with an optional welcome reception the evening before. The Regional Conferences are designed to be held in collaboration with strong local partners, including a strong local leadership program and others, such as universities, companies, or other organizations. Below is an outline of how  responsibilities can be divided among ALP and other partners.

Venue(s)

The following venue(s) should be identified. ALP will rely on the host program’s local contacts and relationships in determining a venue. The venue should readily accommodate an audience of 100-150 for both general sessions and breakout workshops. For the welcome reception the evening before, a unique or interesting venue is recommended, a setting that is a point of civic pride and/or of cultural interest. It may make sense to involve a local leadership alumni association, Chamber, or other group to co-host the reception. For the conference itself, a local university, corporate training center, or similar facilities may provide suitable space.

Planning & Leadership

ALP will designate a board or staff representative to manage their role in the Conference. A pair of co-chairs from the host community is recommended to serve as point person(s) for local efforts related to the Regional Conference. ALP will provide planning templates and checklists for managing the event from the time a date is selected to the time of the event itself. A planning group should meet at least monthly via teleconference. ALP will provide access to a teleconference number that can be used.

Content

ALP and the local host committee will both draw upon their contacts to generate a slate of top-notch learning experiences for the Conference. In many cases, attendees may serve as presenters to their peers. The intended audience is CEOs, staffers, board members, and key volunteers of leadership programs. With that in mind, the content should focus on strengthening the work of leadership programs.

Marketing & Communication

ALP will host the web presence for the Regional Conferences on its website. This will include online registration, and information on agenda and events. Partners in the Conference are expected to link to the website via their home pages. ALP can also distribute mass e-mails to prospective attendees. The local hosts are requested to help grow and verify ALP’s distribution list to maximize prospective attendance.

Finance

ALP and the host committee will draft and agree to an event budget early in the process. The Conferences are intended to generate revenue for both ALP and the host community, so the budget will include an agreement for distributing any proceeds among ALP and local partners. Additionally, any sponsorships for the Regional Conference will be pursued with support from local partners, and with assurance that no fundraising for the Regional Conference will supplant local funding for local partners. ALP will serve as the financial “home” for the Regional Conference, processing revenue through online registrations and paying expenses associated with the Conference.

Logistics

Logistics will be handled according to local and ALP resources available and best suited to carry off the Regional Conference efficiently and effectively. ALP can handle many logistics but will also rely on the host committee to provide people power for staging the event and handling a number of logistical/ administrative aspects of the Conference. These will be determined as part of the work plan for the Regional Conference.