Conference vs. Meeting — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 15, 2024
A conference is a large formal gathering for discussion, often spanning multiple days and involving participants from various sectors, while a meeting is a smaller, more informal assembly of people aimed at decision-making or information sharing.
Difference Between Conference and Meeting
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conferences are typically large-scale events that focus on specific themes or industries, where experts share insights, research, and developments. These gatherings can last several days and include workshops, keynote speeches, and networking sessions. On the other hand, meetings are smaller, more routine gatherings where a specific group of people come together to discuss and make decisions on particular issues or projects. Meetings are common in professional, organizational, and community settings.
While conferences often require significant planning, including securing venues, speakers, and accommodations for attendees, meetings are usually more straightforward to organize, often needing only a room or a digital platform for participants to gather. Meetings can be scheduled regularly or as needed, making them more flexible in nature.
Attendees at conferences usually register in advance and may come from across the globe, highlighting the event's wide-reaching appeal and the opportunity for networking and learning from a diverse group of peers. Conversely, meeting participants are typically members of the same organization, team, or community, with a shared interest or goal guiding the discussion.
Conferences offer a broad spectrum of learning opportunities, including workshops, panel discussions, and presentations on cutting-edge developments. This diversity allows participants to gain insights into various aspects of a field. Meetings, however, are more focused on addressing specific topics or tasks, with the aim of reaching decisions, solving problems, or coordinating efforts among members.
The outcomes of conferences often include enhanced professional networks, new knowledge, and motivation from hearing about innovations and best practices in the field. In contrast, the primary outcomes of meetings are actionable decisions, clarified plans, and assigned tasks, with an emphasis on immediate next steps for the group involved.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Large, often hundreds to thousands of participants
Smaller, ranging from a few to dozens of participants
Duration
Multiple days, sometimes a week
Typically short, from an hour to a day
Formality
Formal, with planned sessions and activities
Can be formal or informal, depending on the context
Planning
Requires extensive planning and logistics
Relatively easy to organize
Purpose
Sharing knowledge, networking, and professional development
Discussing, decision-making, or information sharing within a group
Compare with Definitions
Conference
A large formal meeting of people with a shared interest, usually lasting several days.
She presented her research at the international science conference.
Meeting
A gathering of people for a specific purpose, often involving discussion and decision-making.
The team held a meeting to finalize the project details.
Conference
An opportunity for professional development and continuing education.
Attending the conference boosted her knowledge and skills in her field.
Meeting
An informal or formal gathering to exchange information or ideas.
The community meeting brought together residents to discuss neighborhood safety.
Conference
An event organized by a professional or academic association.
The annual marketing conference attracts thousands of professionals from around the globe.
Meeting
An occasion for problem-solving and brainstorming solutions.
The emergency meeting focused on addressing the budget shortfall.
Conference
A gathering featuring keynote speakers, workshops, and sessions on various topics.
The conference on climate change offered insightful workshops and discussions.
Meeting
A platform for coordinating efforts and tasks among team members.
During the meeting, they assigned roles for the upcoming event.
Conference
A platform for networking and sharing the latest research and innovations.
He made valuable connections at the conference.
Meeting
A regular or scheduled assembly of individuals within an organization.
Our weekly staff meeting addresses ongoing issues and progress.
Conference
A conference is a meeting of people who "confer" about a topic.
Meeting
A meeting is when two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics, often in a formal or business setting, but meetings also occur in a variety of other environments. Many various types of meetings exist.
Conference
A dessert pear of a firm-fleshed variety.
Meeting
The act or process or an instance of coming together; an encounter.
Conference
Take part in a conference or conference call
Video conferencing
Meeting
An assembly or gathering of people, as for a business, social, or religious purpose.
Conference
A meeting for consultation or discussion.
Meeting
The act of persons or things that meet.
Meeting him will be exciting.
I enjoy meeting new people.
Conference
An exchange of views.
Meeting
A gathering of persons for a purpose; an assembly.
We need to have a meeting about that soon.
Conference
A meeting of committees to settle differences between two legislative bodies.
Meeting
(collective) The people at such a gathering.
What has the meeting decided.
Conference
An assembly of clerical or of clerical and lay members from a particular district in various Protestant churches.
Meeting
An encounter between people, even accidental.
They came together in a chance meeting on the way home from work.
Conference
(Sports) An association of teams.
Meeting
A place or instance of junction or intersection; a confluence.
Earthquakes occur at the meeting of tectonic plates.
Conference
The act of conferring, as of an academic degree.
Meeting
A religious service held by a charismatic preacher in small towns in the United States.
Conference
The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
Meeting
(Quakerism) An administrative unit in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Denver meeting is a part of Intermountain yearly meeting.
Conference
(politics) A multilateral diplomatic negotiation.
Meeting
Present participle of meet
Conference
(science) A formal event where scientists present their research results in speeches, workshops, posters or by other means.
Meeting
A coming together; an assembling; as, the meeting of Congress.
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.
Meeting
A junction, crossing, or union; as, the meeting of the roads or of two rivers.
Conference
(sports) A group of sports teams that play each other on a regular basis.
Meeting
A congregation; a collection of people; a convention; as, a large meeting; an harmonious meeting.
Conference
A constituent tournament of a sports league in a given season.
Meeting
An assembly for worship; as, to attend meeting on Sunday; - in England, applied distinctively and disparagingly to the worshiping assemblies of Dissenters.
Conference
(obsolete) The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.
Meeting
A formally arranged gathering;
Next year the meeting will be in Chicago
The meeting elected a chairperson
Conference
(Methodist Church) A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
Meeting
The social act of assembling for some common purpose;
His meeting with the salesmen was the high point of his day
Conference
A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.
Meeting
A small informal social gathering;
There was an informal meeting in my livingroom
Conference
To assess (a student) by one-on-one conversation, rather than an examination.
Meeting
A casual or unexpected convergence;
He still remembers their meeting in Paris
There was a brief encounter in the hallway
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.
Meeting
The act of joining together as one;
The merging of the two groups occurred quickly
There was no meeting of minds
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.
Meeting
A place where things merge or flow together (especially rivers);
Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers
Conference
A meeting for consultation, discussion, or an interchange of opinions.
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
How does a meeting differ from a conference in terms of organization?
Meetings require less organization compared to conferences, which need extensive planning, including venue booking, scheduling speakers, and arranging accommodations for attendees.
Are conferences more expensive to attend than meetings?
Generally, yes, due to the scale and the resources involved in organizing a conference, including registration fees, travel, and accommodation costs.
What is the primary purpose of a conference?
To gather individuals from a specific industry or interest group to share knowledge, network, and discuss recent developments and research.
Is attendance at a conference usually more diverse than at a meeting?
Yes, conferences attract a wider array of participants from various locations and backgrounds, while meetings typically involve individuals from the same organization or community.
How important is networking at conferences?
Networking is a crucial aspect of conferences, providing opportunities to meet peers, experts, and potential collaborators in one's field.
Can conferences be held virtually?
Yes, with advancements in technology, many conferences are now held virtually, allowing broader participation without the need for travel.
What are keynote speeches?
Keynote speeches are featured presentations at conferences, given by leading experts to highlight major themes or advancements in the field.
Is it common to have meetings outside the workplace?
Yes, meetings can occur in various settings, including virtual platforms, to accommodate the participants' needs and the meeting's purpose.
Can meetings be part of a conference?
Yes, conferences often include smaller meetings or breakout sessions focused on specific topics within the broader theme of the conference.
How do the outcomes of conferences and meetings differ?
Conferences aim to broaden knowledge and professional networks, while meetings focus on making decisions, planning, and problem-solving within a specific group.
Can anyone organize a meeting?
Yes, meetings can be organized by anyone within an organization, community, or group who has a specific purpose or agenda to address.
Why are meetings essential in a professional setting?
Meetings facilitate communication, decision-making, and coordination among team members, essential for the smooth operation and progress of projects.
What role do workshops play at conferences?
Workshops offer hands-on learning experiences or in-depth discussions on specific topics, complementing the broader content of conferences.
How do participants contribute to a conference?
Participants can contribute by presenting papers, engaging in discussions, attending sessions, and networking with other attendees.
Do meetings always have a formal agenda?
Not always, but having a structured agenda helps in achieving the meeting's objectives more efficiently.
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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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
