So, you're assigned to organize a conference in the Philippines? 

Congrats! 

You've essentially subscribed to a shot of adventure, mayhem, and an event survival program. But don't worry—I've got your back. Let's divide it into a step-by-step, no-nonsense, foolproof agenda development process.

Step 1: Define Your Objectives (a.k.a. Why Are We Doing This?)

Before you reserve a ballroom at a 5-star hotel or create 

a thorough PowerPoint, consider the following:

What can the public learn from this incident?

Who are they, and what do they eagerly expect to see?

Consider this: If your conference is a buffet, your attendees 

will have a reason to put food on their plates. Is it to learn? To network? Free coffee and swag bags? Establish your goals, and everything else will fall into place.

Step 2: Plan Your Sessions (or Make It Interesting, Please!)

Nobody wants to be stuck in a 3-hour-long lecture that is extremely dull. Mix it up!

✅ Keynotes – Start with someone who can get the audience 

going.  Bonus points if they can be funny.

✅ Panels – Suitable for interactive discussions (just ensure it is not turned into a debating contest).

✅ Workshops –Let them try it out themselves. Humans enjoy 

learning through what they do.

✅ Networking – Because let's be honest—some people are here to network. Let them have time to socialize!

Step 3: Make a Clear Timeline (also known as The Real MVP)

Now, let's discuss the schedule. You need a schedule that goes smoothly like a choreographed K-pop dance.

✅  Powerful beginnings (coffee-fueled morning keynotes)
✅  Don't starve your participants (lunch breaks are very important).

✅ End strong (get them feeling pumped up, not exhausted)

✅ Oh, and throw in some extra time! This is the Philippines—traffic, technical issues, and impromptu group selfies may happen.

Step 4: Select Speakers (also referred to as Find People Who Are Experts)

Your speakers will actually determine how the conference turns out. Choose experts who are:

✅ Interesting (No one likes a dull speech).

✅ Substantial (A TikTok influencer discussing space science? Possibly not.)

✅ Ready (Because "doing it by chance" rarely works in front of 500 people)

Tip: If you have a prominent speaker, book them in advance 

before they become too busy!

Step 5: Involvement Planning (also known as No One Likes a Dull Conference)

Interactive elements are extremely helpful. They engage the 

participants in:

✅ Live Q&A (Real-time audience interaction = instant credibility)

✅ Polls (Because we all love to push buttons)

✅ Breakout sessions (Let them talk! They will thank you.)

✅ Event apps (Tech makes everything run more smoothly—except when WiFi crashes)

Step 6: Review & Revise (a.k.a. Fix It Before It's Too Late)

Nothing is ever right on the first draft—ask your team, 

stakeholders, and even past attendees what they think. 

Revise based on what they say because "It's fine" 

actually means "It's a disaster, but I don't want to tell you."

Step 7: Send It Out & Pray They Read It (a.k.a. Speak Clearly)

Your plan must be:

✅ Released in advance (Prevent surprise releases) 

✅ Simple to read (Bullet points > Paragraphs)

✅ Full contact information (Because someone will surely have last-minute questions)

Step 8: Get Feedback (also known as How to Improve Your Next Event)

When the conference is over, don’t just pack your things 

and go.

✅ Post surveys (nobody minds leaving their opinions behind) 

✅ Ask what went well and what didn't (so you can do 

better next time) 

✅ Thank your guests. A simple email can be so helpful! 

Final Thoughts 

Setting up a conference in the Philippines is setting up a family reunion. There are a lot of details to coordinate, surprises along 

the way, and pleasing everyone. But with a solid plan and maybe some coffee, you can host an event that is engaging, 

significant, and talked about long after the event. 

Now, go plan that awesome conference! Got questions? 

Leave them here!