Conference vs. Convention — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 21, 2024
Conference is formal gathering for discussion, with a focus on specific academic, business, or professional theme. Convention is large meeting of people sharing a common interest, more extensive and with varied activities like workshops and entertainment.
Difference Between Conference and Convention
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conferences are typically more academic or professional in nature, where experts, scholars, or professionals gather to present research, discuss trends, and share knowledge on specific topics. These events often include keynote speeches, panel discussions, and breakout sessions focused on particular subtopics. Conventions, on the other hand, tend to be larger events that cater to enthusiasts of a particular hobby, industry, or cultural phenomenon, featuring a mix of activities such as exhibitions, workshops, and entertainment segments.
While the primary purpose of a conference is to facilitate information exchange and networking among professionals or academics within a particular field, conventions aim to celebrate and promote a shared interest or culture, often incorporating elements of fan interaction, merchandise sales, and guest appearances by notable figures related to the theme. This distinction highlights the difference in atmosphere and objectives between the two types of gatherings.
The duration and scale of conferences can vary, but they are generally more focused and shorter than conventions. Conferences might last for a day or several days, often held in hotels, conference centers, or academic institutions, emphasizing learning and professional development. Conventions, particularly those related to popular culture or large industries, can attract thousands of participants and may span several days, often taking place in large venues such as convention centers or exhibition halls.
The audience for a conference is usually more specialized, consisting of individuals with a professional or academic interest in the conference's theme. Attendees are often there to gain insights, learn about the latest research, or network with peers. Conventions attract a broader audience, from hardcore enthusiasts to casual fans, looking to engage with content related to their interests, meet like-minded individuals, and participate in various activities.
Despite these differences, both conferences and conventions provide valuable opportunities for networking, learning, and community building. They serve as platforms for individuals to connect with others who share their interests or fields of expertise, albeit in contexts that cater to different needs and expectations.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Academic, business, or professional topics.
Shared interests or hobbies, often cultural or industry-related.
Activities
Keynotes, panel discussions, presentations.
Workshops, exhibitions, entertainment, merchandise sales.
Atmosphere
Professional, focused on learning and networking.
Celebratory, fan-oriented, with diverse activities.
Duration and Scale
Shorter, more focused; smaller audience.
Larger, often multi-day events with thousands of attendees.
Audience
Professionals, academics, experts in the field.
Enthusiasts, fans, industry participants of all levels.
Compare with Definitions
Conference
A formal meeting for experts to discuss specific topics.
The annual medical conference focused on the latest in cardiovascular research.
Convention
Brings together people with common interests, often on a large scale.
The annual comic convention attracted fans from across the country.
Conference
Facilitates professional connections and discussions.
The technology conference provided ample networking sessions for startups and investors.
Convention
Features workshops, panels, and entertainment related to the theme.
The gaming convention included tournaments, developer panels, and cosplaying events.
Conference
Often includes detailed presentations and papers.
Scholars presented their findings on renewable energy at the environmental conference.
Convention
Often includes sales of related products and displays.
The convention hall was filled with merchandise stalls offering exclusive collectibles.
Conference
Follows a carefully planned schedule of sessions and speakers.
The business conference agenda included keynote speeches from industry leaders.
Convention
Celebrates a shared passion or interest in a festive environment.
The science fiction convention featured themed parties and costume contests.
Conference
Aimed at sharing knowledge, updates, and continuing education.
The legal conference offered workshops on the latest in international law.
Convention
Provides opportunities for fans to meet creators and celebrities.
Attendees of the film convention enjoyed Q&A sessions with their favorite actors.
Conference
A conference is a meeting of people who "confer" about a topic.
Convention
A formal meeting of members, representatives, or delegates, as of a political party, fraternal society, profession, or industry.
Conference
A dessert pear of a firm-fleshed variety.
Convention
The body of persons attending such an assembly
Called the convention to order.
Conference
Take part in a conference or conference call
Video conferencing
Convention
An agreement between states, sides, or military forces, especially an international agreement dealing with a specific subject, such as the treatment of prisoners of war.
Conference
A meeting for consultation or discussion.
Convention
General agreement on or acceptance of certain practices or attitudes
By convention, north is at the top of most maps.
Conference
An exchange of views.
Convention
A practice or procedure widely observed in a group, especially to facilitate social interaction; a custom
The convention of shaking hands.
Conference
A meeting of committees to settle differences between two legislative bodies.
Convention
A widely used and accepted device or technique, as in drama, literature, or painting
The theatrical convention of the aside.
Conference
An assembly of clerical or of clerical and lay members from a particular district in various Protestant churches.
Convention
A meeting or gathering.
The convention was held in Geneva.
Conference
(Sports) An association of teams.
Convention
A formal deliberative assembly of mandated delegates.
The EU installed an inter-institutional Convention to draft a European constitution.
Conference
The act of conferring, as of an academic degree.
Convention
The convening of a formal meeting.
Conference
The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
Convention
A formal agreement, contract, rule, or pact.
Conference
(politics) A multilateral diplomatic negotiation.
Convention
(international law) A treaty or supplement to such.
The Vienna convention at the Vienna Congress (1814-15) standardized most of diplomatic conduct for generations.
Conference
(science) A formal event where scientists present their research results in speeches, workshops, posters or by other means.
Convention
A practice or procedure widely observed in a group, especially to facilitate social interaction; a custom.
Table seatings are generally determined by tacit convention, not binding formal protocol.
The convention of driving on the right is reinforced by law.
Conference
(business) An event organized by a for-profit or non-profit organization to discuss a pressing issue, such as a new product, market trend or government regulation, with a range of speakers.
Convention
The act of coming together; the state of being together; union; coalition.
The conventions or associations of several particles of matter into bodies of any certain denomination.
Conference
(sports) A group of sports teams that play each other on a regular basis.
Convention
General agreement or concurrence; arbitrary custom; usage; conventionality.
There are thousands nowSuch women, but convention beats them down.
Conference
A constituent tournament of a sports league in a given season.
Convention
A meeting or an assembly of persons, esp. of delegates or representatives, to accomplish some specific object, - civil, social, political, or ecclesiastical.
He set himself to the making of good laws in a grand convention of his nobles.
A convention of delegates from all the States, to meet in Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of reserving the federal system, and correcting its defects.
Conference
(obsolete) The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.
Convention
An extraordinary assembly of the parkiament or estates of the realm, held without the king's writ, - as the assembly which restored Charles II. to the throne, and that which declared the throne to be abdicated by James II.
Our gratitude is due . . . to the Long Parliament, to the Convention, and to William of Orange.
Conference
(Methodist Church) A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
Convention
An agreement or contract less formal than, or preliminary to, a treaty; an informal compact, as between commanders of armies in respect to suspension of hostilities, or between states; also, a formal agreement between governments or sovereign powers; as, a postal convention between two governments.
This convention, I think from my soul, is nothing but a stipulation for national ignominy; a truce without a suspension of hostilities.
The convention with the State of Georgia has been ratified by their Legislature.
Conference
A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.
Convention
A large formal assembly;
Political convention
Conference
To assess (a student) by one-on-one conversation, rather than an examination.
Convention
Something regarded as a normative example;
The convention of not naming the main character
Violence is the rule not the exception
His formula for impressing visitors
Conference
The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.
Helps and furtherances which . . . the mutual conference of all men's collections and observations may afford.
Convention
(diplomacy) an international agreement
Conference
The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
Nor with such free and friendly conferenceAs he hath used of old.
Convention
Orthodoxy as a consequence of being conventional
Conference
A meeting for consultation, discussion, or an interchange of opinions.
Convention
The act of convening
Conference
A meeting of the two branches of a legislature, by their committees, to adjust between them.
Conference
A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
Conference
A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.
Conference
A prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
Conference
An association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
Conference
A discussion among participants who have an agreed (serious) topic
Common Curiosities
Are conventions always related to entertainment or hobbies?
While many are, conventions can also cater to professional industries, focusing on networking and showcasing products or innovations.
What is the main purpose of a conference?
To facilitate discussion, networking, and knowledge exchange among professionals or academics in a specific field.
Do conferences and conventions require registration or tickets?
Yes, both typically require some form of registration or ticket purchase, with prices varying based on the event's scale and offerings.
What makes a convention different from a conference?
Conventions are larger, more celebratory gatherings focused on shared interests, often including a wide range of activities beyond discussions.
Can online events be considered conferences or conventions?
Yes, with the rise of digital platforms, many conferences and conventions are held virtually, offering similar content and networking opportunities online.
Can conferences have elements of conventions?
Yes, some conferences may include elements like exhibitions or networking events that resemble convention activities, especially in industry-specific gatherings.
How do you choose between attending a conference or a convention?
It depends on your objectives: for professional development and learning, a conference might be more suitable; for engagement with a hobby or interest, a convention could be more enjoyable.
Is attendance at a conference usually more exclusive than at a convention?
Yes, conferences often target a specific professional or academic audience, while conventions are generally open to anyone interested in the theme.
How important is the venue for a conference or convention?
Very important; the venue impacts the scale, accessibility, and overall experience of the event, with larger venues accommodating more extensive conventions.
Can someone attend a conference or convention without a professional or hobbyist interest?
While possible, attendees typically benefit most from events that align with their professional interests or personal hobbies.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
