Types of Meetings

Simulation

Participant Driven. Self-paced, interactive instructional technique in which the learner has the opportunity to practice a skill in the model of a real-world process or situation.

Ignite Presentations

20 slide presentations, lasting 15 seconds each.

Symposium

A formal meeting at which several specialists deliver short addresses on papers on a topic or on related topics. Recommendations concerning the problem under discussion are made. moderated. May be scheduled or ongoing, online.

Workshop

A meeting at which a group of people engage in intensive discussion and interaction regarding a particular subject or project. A training session of some duration in which participants develop knowledge in and practice skills of a particular discipline.

Exposition

A public exhibition depicting an issue or featuring an artist or genre. Provides companies with an opportunity to unveil or demonstrate their products. Demonstrations provide information regarding the use of a product or service, accompanied by oral and visual explanation.

Keynote Sessions

Designed to bring everyone together. May involve a high profile speaker or panel presentation.

Colloquy

Formal. A panel discussion including equal numbers of both experts and audience members. Appropriate for problem/solution or controversial topic.

Panel Discussion

Formal. A selected group of experts discuss a complex topic before an audience. Moderated. One or two-way communication.

Interview

Formal. Expert or celebrity responds to questioning by an individual before an audience.

Lecture

Formal. Single individual controls one-way information to stimulate, inspire, entertain or rapidly transfer information to a large audience.

Seminar

Formal. Small group engages in in-depth study of a specific topic. Facilitated by a recognized authority.

Debate

Formal. Two teams argue opposing sides of an issue. Format preordained. Evidence, logic, and persuasion are used.

Audience Reaction Team

Four or five attendees query the main speaker from the stage with questions from the audience and follow up questions.

Colloquium

Informal meeting for the purpose of discussion, usually of an academic or research nature, to ascertain areas of mutual interest through the exchange of ideas. Generally conducted when deemed convenient and useful, with little regularity.

Learning Communities

Informal. A combination of individuals with shared interests. Grow out of listservs or social media groups. (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.). Synonyms include study groups, action research teams, communities of practice, birds of a feather, conversation circles, or round table discussions.

Committee

Informal. A small group appointed to perform a specific task unsuitable for an individual or a large group.

Fish Bowl

Informal. A two-part discussion group, with the smaller "inner circle" of 4-5 people discussing a topic and the larger "outer circle" of as many as 20 observing. Roles switched periodically.

Forum

Informal. Large, public, open discussion of an issue.

Buzz Session

Informal. Several small groups meet simultaneously for short periods of time to discuss a topic or perform a task, returning their contribution to the larger group.

Group Discussion

Informal. Small group converses about a topic of mutual interest and knowledge.

Convention/Congress

Large gathering of members and representatives of an industry or organization convened for a common purpose. A recurring, regularly scheduled, perhaps mandated meeting that may last for several days with many internal meetings simultaneously scheduled. Organizational governance or business, future planning, continuing education, training, and networking are accomplished.

Hybrid Event

Online and live combined event.

Virtual Meeting

Online only.

PechaKucha

Originated in Japan. Consists of sessions that include a series of short presentations, 20 slides long lasting 20 seconds each.

Unconference

Participant Driven. A participant driven, self-organizing meeting; audience creates the agenda. Generally focuses on specific theme and features open discussion.

Role Play

Participant Driven. An unrehearsed portrayal of a problematic situation in which participants assume various roles. Followed by analytic discussion.

Brainstorming

Participant Driven. Creative generation of ideas pertinent to the topic, initially without order, editing or evaluation. This immediate, spontaneous response to a question or problem can be accomplished alone or in a group; may be linguistic of imagistic. Quantity of responses more important than quality.

Technology Center

Participant Driven. Open space filled with various cutting edge technology experiences available to the learner.

BarCamp

Participant led conference where everyone who attends contributes a demonstration or session, or otherwise volunteers in some way.

Silent Meeting

Participant-Driven. Deep consideration of a topic by a small group practicing silence. I.e. meditation, study, or writing, and spontaneous oral contribution.

Conference

Participatory meeting designed for discussion or "conferring" on a topic or pressing issue. Also, involves fact-finding, problem solving, debate and presentation of research on a specific issue. Conference proceedings may be published. Convening may be annual or irregularly scheduled.

Breakout or Concurrent Sessions

Typically include a speaker or facilitator and provide in-depth discussion on a focused topic.