Have you ever wondered what the practical differences are between the most common types of events? There are many options you can find, such as: conferences, congresses, lectures, symposia, workshops, among many others.
Whether in person or online, about scientific, technical or business matters, the truth is that there is a range of possibilities in the world of events that can end up confusing producers when planning their next production.
And, knowing the importance of framing each educational event in its correct modality, we developed this content to put an end to your doubts about it once and for all. Thus, it is much easier for the public to understand the purpose of your event and make the decision to attend 🙂
What is conference?
If you are wondering what a conference means, it is a formal event organized by a group of people, companies or institutions whose main objective is to delve into possible problems, ideas and innovations around a central theme.
The conference is not limited to just scientific or academic subjects and is usually composed of participants who already have a reasonable knowledge of the subject. It is a great environment for networking, that is, for expanding professional contacts with important people, as well as helping to awaken powerful insights.
What is congress?
A congress is an event promoted by class entities – such as confederations, federations, associations, unions and cooperatives, with the aim of debating and reaching conclusions on a given topic. It can be held in more than one day and have several attractions, such as panels, conferences, round tables, lectures and courses. Furthermore, it can be both national and international.
Its exhibitors are usually of high level, such as renowned professors and doctors in the area of the event, which contributes to its structure being robust and that it has a high number of local or foreign participants (often excited to meet such personalities !).
A congress may or may not be open to questions, depending on its size and choice of organization. In addition, they also have the Conference Annals, which are a collection of scientific works around the theme of the event published through specific online tools.
What is lecture?
A lecture aims to present an idea or market novelty succinctly, in a short presentation. It is usually between 1 and 2 hours long and is usually presented by only one subject matter expert.It is held in an auditorium format (chairs facing a stage), which allows for a good interaction with the audience, but it can also be done by video call platforms, such as Sympla Streaming, in the format of an online lecture.
The number of participants may be higher or lower, depending on the intention of the organizer and the space where the event will be held. At the end of the lecture, time is reserved for interactions and to open questions from the audience, which are asked directly to the speaker.
Lectures are a great way to educate the public about a topic, novelty or product/service launch. In addition, they are also excellent allies in strengthening the cultural values of a company and in building the authority of personalities.
Many people wonder what a symposium means, and the answer is simple: it is an event of a scientific-academic nature in which particularities on a given topic are discussed, with the help of a moderator. It is a formal meeting composed of experts in the field who present points of view on the subject in focus, resembling a small conference.
This type of event usually takes place in academic environments, such as universities or congresses, and is usually short-lived (just enough to convey specific information). One of the differentials of the symposia is on how the interaction between the exhibitors takes place, as they do not necessarily debate among themselves, but with the audience itself.
