3 Members of staff are Having a meeting about organising a conference in their department. So this is our first meeting to try and organise the departments annual conference and I must say I'm starting to feel a bit worried. I know I'm a warrior by nature but there just seems to be so much still to be done and it's only just over 2 weeks away now isn't it? Well, closer to 3 weeks actually. Anyway, yes there is quite a lot to do, but I don't think we need to start panicking just yet. The way I see it, the key thing is to be organized, so the first thing is to make a list and prioritize. We've already booked the 2 lecture halls and recreation area so that's a start. Yes. So I guess the next thing is we need to work out the order of events and arrange who will give talks and lead the discussions. I've already talked to most of the possible speakers and I'll confirm things with them. Then we can get going on writing the publicity material and getting it printed. Thanks, that's already sounding more manageable. I wouldn't mind writing the publicity stuff, I think some posters and small leaflets will be enough. Don't you? I know it's open to the public but I imagine most participants will be from the department so I reckon it'll be OK to do something on a laptop and just print it off ourselves. We don't need anything too flashy, do. We no, probably not, but it'd be good to attract some people from outside, or at least from the rest of the college. On that subject, can I make a suggestion? How about getting in a main speaker someone a bit more well known in academic circles? I'm not sure. I mean, I can see how that might attract more people, but the focus of the whole conference is the work of our department. Don't you think having a kind of star guest might draw attention away from that and also maybe intimidate some of the other speakers who aren't so used to speaking in public? Actually, I think it's a good idea. In fact, I can think of someone who could do it. She's written a couple of books that were well received and she's a brilliant speaker, clever and funny. I used to work with her at another college, so I know her a bit. I could contact her if you like. Well, OK, as long as it's a topic that falls within the general area but doesn't clash directly with what others are discussing, it could certainly raise our profile and bring in more people. And there's no harm in asking, is there? OK, so I'll contact her tomorrow and see if she's free. Meanwhile, Jen, can you talk to the other speakers and discussion leaders and make a list of times and topics? If you can let me know that I'll make a start on writing the leaflet and we better schedule the next meeting, maybe for the beginning of next week.