2021 Congress: Information Session for Prospective Hosts 5 August 2016 King’s College London

The World Shakespeare Congress The World Shakespeare Congress is a initiative of the International Shakespeare Association (ISA), a Charitable Incorporated Organised based in the UK. The Congress is held every five years in a different location. Institutions put in bids to host the World Shakespeare Congress. The decision regarding who will host the next Congress is made by the ISA Executive Committee. Congress Hosts take on responsibility for funding and administering the Congress, and work with the ISA to develop the academic and cultural program.

World Shakespeare Congress: Host responsibilities The Congress Hosts are responsible for funding and administering the Congress A Local Organising Committee (LOC) is appointed to handle the logistics of the Congress. The LOC is made up of representatives from the Host institutions. Usually, a combination of academic staff and administrative staff are involved.

World Shakespeare Congress: the ISA’s responsibilities The ISA is responsible for developing the academic program—the seminars, panels, and plenary speakers—for the Congress. A Congress Committee, an international Committee of distinguished Shakespeare scholars, is appointed by the ISA to oversee this process. One purpose of the Congress Committee is to ensure an appropriate level of internationalism across the academic program.

A successful bid Prospective Congress Hosts need to make a compelling argument as to why the Congress should take place in their town or city. Bids should address practical as well as scholarly or cultural matters.

The Location Where will the Congress be held, and is there a particular rationale for this choice of location? What makes this an attractive and appropriate location? What kinds of cultural and social opportunities will be available for delegates (theatre, opening and closing receptions, etc.)?

Management of the Congress How will the logistics of the event be handled? By the administrative staff of the host institutions, or by a third party (for example, an event-management company)? If the organisation will be done in-house, what provisions will be made to ensure an appropriate level of staffing and resourcing?

Financial matters What contribution (financial or in-kind) is each partner institution willing to make to the event? What is the likely registration fee? What is the likely cost of accommodation in the Congress location? (Will there be a range of accommodation options, from low cost to higher?) What provisions will be made for delegates from lower-income regions, and for postgraduate students?

Risk management Remember to take into account insurance, liability, and any other legal implications.