Organizing Scientific Meetings

by August Epple

Overview

In spite of new, technologically advanced means of communication, the demand for face-to-face interaction among scientists is as great as ever. In this concise, yet thorough work, the author offers invaluable guidance for organizers of all sizes of scientific meetings. With good humor and attention to detail, the author covers all critical issues that a meeting organizer must address, including program development, site and participant selection, and budget management. Throughout, author Epple, a veteran of hundreds of meetings, draws attention to many seemingly small, but crucial aspects of meeting planning ranging from name tags to fund raising. This resource will prove to be an indispensable tool for meeting organizers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521589192
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/20/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.81(w) x 9.72(h) x 0.51(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction: What can go wrong?; 2. The decision: To run or not to run; 3. Scientific and related events: variety delights; 4. Social events: something for every taste and budget; 5. The program: how to accommodate pigs in a poke; 6. Selection of the meeting site: a touch of Russian roulette; 7. The dates of the meeting: you can't win; 8. Publications: cruel and unusual punishment; 9. Selection of participants: how to lose old friends and make new enemies; 10. Committees: you have to live with them; 11. Accompanists: you better love'm; 12. Office and staff: don't take chances; 13. The budget: a jungle with pitfalls; 14. Fund raising: some would rather see their dentist; 15. Allocation of travel support: not much fun either; 16. Schedule of preparations: from dream to reality; 17. Announcements and other information: clarity pays; 18. Design of forms, name tags, tickets, signs and stickers: how about using some common sense?; 19. Satellite meetings: think twice; 20. Checklist of important no-nos; List of appendixes; Appendixes A-R; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"I wish The Lancet had had this book when we started our own conference programme...peruse this manual with close attention." Stephanie Clark, The Lancet

"Practical advice and cautionary tales on every aspect of the job, from whether to take it on in the first place to getting the proceedings published." Science

"No detail seems to be missing from this guide...The book is bolstered by a troubleshooting guide, outlines for forms, and ideas for publishing proceedings." Science News

"Please take heart—the needed assistance for amateur scientific conference organizers is now available, in the form of one of the most useful books that has been published for scientists in many years...an excellent 'how-to' technical guide that covers all aspects of scientific meeting planning...The writing is clear and light-hearted, making for an interesting and amusing presentation...I strongly recommend that anyone considering organizing and running a scientific meeting read this book as soon as possible and carefully consider the excellent advice given in it." Walter J. Mock, BioScience

"Epple covers everything from the biggest questions—what the conference is about, where to hold it—to ludicrously small details such as the design and use of stickers. Much amusement can be derived from descriptions od past disasters..." New Scientist

"...a very good investment. Dr. Epple has written an insightful reference book that will assist all of us involvd in organizing successful meetings." Carl Hagstrom, Journal of Perinatology

"I fully agree with the statement in the precis of the book that 'If you are organizing a scientific meeting this is your indispensable guide' and should also be required reading for anyone who regularly contributes to meetings, if for no other reason than to be made aware of the incredible amount of effort involved in and specific details of meeting organization. Epple is to be commended for sharing his valuable experience." Clark Spencer Larsen, The American Journal of Human Biology

From the Publisher