Symposium vs. Conference — What's the Difference?

A focused gathering for in-depth discussion on a specific topic.

A large-scale event covering a broad subject area.

Features expert presentations and collaborative discussions.

Attracts a wide audience from different disciplines.

Intended for specialists and researchers in the field.

Includes various sessions, workshops, and keynote speeches.

Often shorter in duration, possibly a single day.

Usually spans multiple days with extensive programs.

Aims at generating new ideas and advancing research.

Focuses on information sharing, networking, and showcasing developments.

In ancient Greece, the symposium (Greek: συμπόσιον symposion or symposio, from συμπίνειν sympinein, "to drink together") was a part of a banquet that took place after the meal, when drinking for pleasure was accompanied by music, dancing, recitals, or conversation. Literary works that describe or take place at a symposium include two Socratic dialogues, Plato's Symposium and Xenophon's Symposium, as well as a number of Greek poems such as the elegies of Theognis of Megara.

A conference is a meeting of people who "confer" about a topic.

A meeting or conference for discussion of a topic, especially one in which the participants form an audience and make presentations.

A dessert pear of a firm-fleshed variety.

A collection of writings on a particular topic, as in a magazine.

Take part in a conference or conference call

A convivial meeting for drinking, music, and intellectual discussion among the ancient Greeks.

A meeting for consultation or discussion.

A conference or other meeting for discussion of a topic, especially one in which the participants make presentations.

An exchange of views.

A drinking party in Ancient Greece, especially one with intellectual discussion.

A meeting of committees to settle differences between two legislative bodies.

A collection of essays, articles or papers on a particular subject by a number of contributors.

An assembly of clerical or of clerical and lay members from a particular district in various Protestant churches.

A drinking together; a merry feast.

(Sports) An association of teams.

A collection of short essays by different authors on a common topic; - so called from the appellation given to the philosophical dialogue by the Greeks.

The act of conferring, as of an academic degree.

A meeting or conference for the public discussion of some topic especially one in which the participants form an audience and make presentations

The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.

(politics) A multilateral diplomatic negotiation.

(science) A formal event where scientists present their research results in speeches, workshops, posters or by other means.

(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.

(sports) A group of sports teams that play each other on a regular basis.

A constituent tournament of a sports league in a given season.

(obsolete) The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.

(Methodist Church) A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.

A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.

To assess (a student) by one-on-one conversation, rather than an examination.

The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.

The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.

A meeting for consultation, discussion, or an interchange of opinions.

A meeting of the two branches of a legislature, by their committees, to adjust between them.

A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.

A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.

A prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)

An association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members

A discussion among participants who have an agreed (serious) topic

Primarily, though they can also appeal to industry professionals deeply engaged in a particular subject.

To facilitate detailed discussions and collaborations on specific topics.

Generally, yes, though some conferences might have restrictions based on professional credentials or memberships.

Symposia are more focused and interactive, while conferences have a broader, more diverse structure.

Yes, many larger conferences include symposia as focused sessions within the broader event.

While not the primary focus, networking does occur, especially among experts in the field.

It can be, due to the shorter duration and smaller scale, but not always.

Conferences cover both general and specific topics but within a broader subject area.

Location can impact attendance and logistics, especially for international participants.

Both require significant planning, but the scale and complexity can vary greatly between the two.

Yes, symposiums often result in published proceedings or collaborative research initiatives.

Conferences offer a wider range of topics, but symposiums provide deeper learning on specific subjects.

Symposiums encourage more direct engagement and discussion, while conferences may offer less individual participation due to their scale.

Not necessarily; the formality depends on the organizing body and the subject matter.

Yes, both formats can be adapted to virtual platforms.