1. Organising an Academic Conference (or Conferencing 101: How to Organise an Academic Conference Without Losing Your Mind) Katie Barnett College of Arts and Law (and my invisible colleague, Rebecca Isaacs)

2. Why organise a conference? O Establish yourself in your academic field O Great for your academic CV O Invaluable networking opportunities O Choose your own adventure

3. Before you begin O Co-organisers O A conference email address O Helpful contacts

4. The basics O Pick a date Pro tip: This can always be extended. Pro tip: Pick a term-time date. Pro tip: Weekends are convenient, but may require you to pay for security.

5. The basics O Choose a theme Pro tip: Broad themes work well. O Keynote speakers Pro tip: Speakers from your own institution cost less! O Call for papers Pro tip: Fake deadlines are your friend.

6. The basics O Advertising Website 49 th P: http://49thparallelconference.wordpress.comhttp://49thparallelconference.wordpress.com BAAS: http://www.americanfrontiers.co.ukhttp://www.americanfrontiers.co.uk Mailing lists Social media University newsletters Departmental emails

7. The details O Room hire Where / when do you want to hold the event? How many people do you need to accommodate? Do you need media facilities? (You do.) O Security

8. The details O Catering Pro tip: Bring your own tea and coffee. Pro tip: Too much is better than too little. Pro tip: Don’t forget the vegetarians! O Finances Pro tip: Publishers are a good source of income. Pro tip: Don’t forget the freebies!

9. The final countdown O Picking the papers Pro tip: Don’t do this outside on a windy day. O Acceptances and rejections Pro tip: Confirm your acceptances before you send out rejections. O Organising the schedule O Registration O Conference packs

10. Miscellany O Arrive early (no, earlier than that) O Alphabetical name badges O Keep a record of payments O Refreshments first! O Know your building O Make sure you’ve got enough chairs

11. Miscellany O Software compatibility O Don’t forget the milk. O Don’t forget the sugar. O DON’T FORGET THE CORKSCREW. O Enjoy yourselves!

12. Thanks for listening! This presentation was brought to you by Katie Barnett and her invisible colleague Rebecca Isaacs, who organised the BAAS Postgraduate Conference in 2011, and the 49 th Parallel Conference in 2012, and who have just about regained their sanity.