ANNUAL MEETING SETUP ACTIVITIES GUIDEDeadlines are based on the experience that nothing happens over the holiday season, mid-November through January. As a result perceptions for the first months after the Annual meeting are that there is plenty of time to think about the next meeting so let's wait, then the holiday season begins and before we know it we find ourselves at February 1st with little accomplished for the meeting. As a result there are avoidable and easily predictable problems each year that could have been averted. This check list is intended to minimize those issues by simply planning a realistic schedule. Usually those who put the meeting together are employed full time and volunteer to develop the Annual Meeting. The activities below are manageable over a period of months, and with identifiable volunteers. They can be overwhelming when rushed in the final weeks, especially while working and taking care of ordinary family responsibilities. Potential participants need time to plan, and without a detailed program of what will be offered they cannot be expected to commit several hundred dollars to register for an unknown entity. Radiologic Technologists are professionals. The quality of the meeting should reflect that. The deadline months are based on an expectation that the meeting will be held in late April or early May.
Key Planners (Confirmed by August 1st)
Chairperson:__Name-
Mailing Address:
Telephone1:
Telephone2:
Fax line:
E-mail:
Co-Chairperson:__ Name-
Mailing Address:
Telephone1:
Telephone2:
Fax line:
E-mail:Set Meeting Dates: (By September 1st)
Location:
Room(s):
Banquet Room:
Lodging Rates:Assign lead Committee Roles: (Complete by September 1st)
Pre-Meeting date: (Complete by October 1st)
- Media contacts
- Secure Speakers
- Banquet Plans
- Audio visual and room set ups
- Registration
- Student participation
- Publications, copying, tickets
- Commercial exhibits, sponsorships
- Spouses program
- Gofer/transportation, pick-ups
Student Program: (Completed by November 1st)
- Conclude development of agenda, meeting schedules
- Commercial support contacts made
- Meeting Programs developed and copied
- Prizes, gifts, awards arranged
- Tickets obtained for special events, if any
- Contract with hotel confirmed
- Confirmation letters and instructions sent to speakers
Speakers: (Completed by November 15th)
- Radiography school contacted
- Students invited to present posters, papers
- Student "Bee" table and electronics set up
Media contacted: (Completed by November 15th)
- Person, date, time and subject confirmed
- Contact potential "high level" presenters - eg: mayor, federal representatives, motivational, scientific experts in the field
- Keynote speaker, Moderator
- CV and presentation outline obtained
- Approval forms with CV, outlines sent for Category 1 approvals
- A/V equipment needs confirmed
- A/V preview space/room available
Out-of-Town Speakers:(Completed by January 1st)
- Announcement copy prepared
- National radiology publications – Advance, RT Image, ASRT, etc.
- Local newspaper
- Statewide facilities
- Local radio
- Other
Agenda published: (Completed by February 1st)
- Transportation arranged
- Lodging arranged
- Meals arranged
- Stipend or gift as agreed arranged
Business meetings location and time arranged (Completed by February 1st)
- For distribution via newsletter
- __Envelopes, stamps, address list obtained
- __Stuffed and sent
- For meeting distribution
- Posted on web site
Room Set-up - Do the Night Before meeting begins.
Commercial display room established (Completed by February 15th)
- Room environment co-ordinator assigned (lights, temperature, refresh water, note pads, etc.)
- Table and seating arrangements
- Power cords, extensions available
- Podium, speaker table
- Attendance sheets
- Microphones set up
- Audio/visual equipment – laptop for PPP, video projector, slide projector, remote controller
- ___overhead, Chalk board/chalk/eraser, flip chart, appropriate markers
- ____Set up PRIOR to first speaker and tested to verify operation
- Markers, erasers
- Laser pointer
- Demo table
- Handout duplications and distribution
- Recorder/transcriber confirmed to document minutes
Spouses Program arranged: (Completed by March 1st)
- Display rules established
- Power to exhibits
- Poster space set aside for technologists, students
- Poster grading/judging rules established
- Poster awards obtained, other awards
- Commercial visitation sheet prepared
- Stickers available for each commercial exhibiter
Registration Table: (Setup night before meeting begins)
- Activities for spouse who travel with participant, but do not attend meetings
- Restaurants near by
- Transportation information, how to get there
- Maps
- Coupon, tickets for special events
- Communication/paging of spouse participant
Educational Meetings: (Set-up Day Before meeting begins
- Responsible person assigned
- Table and chairs set up
- Staffing arranged
- Money box
- Receipt books
- Pens
- Member cards
- Member and Meeting Application/Registration forms
- Name tags and holders
- Plastic or cloth bags to carry “stuff”
- Special name tags for officers, speakers
- Printed Programs available
- List of local places to eat
- List of local activities and entertainment
- Coupons, if any for discounted activities
- Drawing tickets, if any
- Telephone messages
- Message board
- Hand outs – (pens, pads, “Freebies”), if any
- Lap top if using electronic registration
- __Include printer, power strips, extra ink/laser cartridge
- Break out groups and group leaders (different seating?)
- Time and day assignments
- Scheduled breaks
- Time limit mechanism established to keep speakers to schedule
- Room (s) selected and assigned to speakers
- Table and seating arrangements
- Drinking water arranged for tables
- Power cords, extensions available
- Podium, speaker table
- Attendance verification sheets
- Audio/visual equipment – laptop, video projector, slide projector, overhead, flip chart (Set up and TEST the day before presentations are to begin)
- Markers, eraser
- Laser pointer
- Demo table
- Handout duplications and distribution
- Refreshments
- Bios of speakers
- Special needs of speakers identified and arranged
- Meeting Evaluations, CEU's documentation complete
Banquet and/or Reception: Room – Set-up Day or morning before banquet
- Table arrangements
- Head table
- Table decorations
- Plates, flatware, napkins
- Food, beverage(s)
- Banquet tickets
- Program – Designed and printed
- Audio – Microphone, CD player, etc.
- Visual and screen, if there is a presentation
- ____For Power Point, a laptop, video projector and P software
- Speakers confirmed (At least a month before, then again day of presentation
- _____Speakers needs for AV, copying, pointer, etc. confirmed
Post Meeting Activities: (Complete within 30 days after the meeting)
The work doesn't end for the Committee when all the meeting contingents go home. There are still a few items to be wrapped up. These include, for example:
- Counting all revenues collected and turning them over to the AKSRT treasurer to be deposited in the bank.
- Sub-committee workers submit a very brief summary of their experiences to the chairperson.
- Chairperson prepares a report on the meeting - Activities completed, successes, challenges, comments. This is developed from the sub-committee report data and will be posted on the web when submitted.
- Sending thank you letters to speakers and others who participated in the success of the meeting. Especially thank your corporate sponsors if you ever want their participation again.
- Submit the names of any award winners to be posted on the web.
- Turn over all AKSRT materials used for the meeting to the new, incoming Conference Committee team to get them started right away for the next year.
- Check with the AKSRT officers for any other final actions to bring the activities of the committee to a close.