4. Your role as chair

As chair/co-chair you have agreed to take on an important role which will prove critical to the smooth operation — and ultimately the success — of the conference. Responsibilities of the chair are:

Arrival Time

You should arrive thirty minutes prior to the conference. The registration area opens at 8:00am. This will give you time to meet with INFONEX personnel and to inform you of any last-minute changes to the agenda and introduce you to the first speaker.

Opening and Closing Remarks

At the beginning of each day the Chair will spend 10 to 15 minutes introducing the topic. During closing remarks the Chair will highlight the key learning points of the day/conference.

Maintaining Time Schedule and Conference Flow

We have created information-packed schedules so it is important that the Chair keeps an eye on the time. Speakers have been told they must allow time for a question period (approx. 10 minutes). The chair should initiate conversations that will generate dialogue between delegates and speakers. Please ask delegates to fill out the evaluation form (yellow form in binder) in order to receive some feedback.

Introducing, welcoming and thanking individual

The chair will be responsible for introducing each speaker. Speakers’ biographies will be sent to you prior to the conference. As the delegates all have copies of these biographies, it is best to highlight key points.

Chair Substitution

Our delegates often attend conferences in order to hear from a particular speaker or the chairperson. For this reason, making last minute changes to our line-up is problematic. If, for some serious reason you are unable to fulfill your commitment to us, please contact our office immediately and make arrangements for a suitable substitute from your office.