Seminar, webinar, symposium, conference... You probably know that there are several events under that heading. And they all have to do with information sharing. But, what exactly is a seminar? And how does it differ from a webinar?
Seminar meaning
A seminar is a way of sharing knowledge. To exchange ideas and bring about change. And of course: to bring people together. Usually this is done in a small-scale setting with an expert (or more) going deeper into a specific topic. This can be a presentation or an interactive session. The main purpose of a seminar is to share knowledge.
The word 'seminar' comes from Latin. It means 'seed' or 'incubator'. In other words, it refers to a place where ideas and knowledge grow and... flourish. We ourselves usually use the term for formal meetings where knowledge sharing is central. And do you ever hear 'seminar'? That comes from Flanders. The meaning is exactly the same.
The 4 advantages of a seminar
A seminar has several advantages. The main advantage is information sharing.
- Sharing information
The ideal way to brush up on knowledge! During a seminar, your target group learns more about a specific subject. The main goal: to make participants leave wiser.
- Inspire each other
During a seminar, experts often speak. These speakers have their own vision and insight. This can lead to new ideas or motivation to continue research.
- Making contacts
At a seminar, you bring together a select company. And we all know: you don't meet people from the same industry every day. Making contacts is therefore perhaps the most enjoyable benefit of a seminar. In short: networking.
- Strengthen image
With a (well-organised) seminar, you can also make yourself visible as a company or organisation. This creates more recognition from the target group or can help you gain a better position on the market as an expert. You also show that sharing information is important to you.
How to organise a seminar?
Are you thinking of organising a seminar yourself ? Then there are several things you need to consider. At least consider the following important points.
- Come up with a theme
A theme can help you design the programme better. Choose a particular topic, trend or direction in the field. This is the main topic of the day and creates a foothold for yourself, the speakers and the participants.
- Choose a suitable venue
Not every venue is suitable for a seminar. Therefore, look carefully at your target group and then choose an event location that matches it. Pay particular attention to location, accessibility, size and associated facilities. Does your target group come from all over the Netherlands? Then it is smart to choose a venue close to public transport. Jaarbeurs, for example, is literally next to the railway station. Ideal!
- Come up with outlines for the day
Have you never organised a seminar before? Then it's easy to work with some outlines before creating your programming. So: what elements should NOT be missing? A speaker, for example. A healthy lunch. A networking opportunity and entertainment. Write down all the outlines for yourself.
- Work out your programming
Once you know the outline, you can get to work on programming. Think about which speakers fit the theme and contact them. Good to know: strong programming takes time. Moreover, sought-after speakers are often booked long in advance. So it is smart to start here on time.
- Promote your seminar
Time to inform your target audience! This is the time to recruit participants. And this can be done in various ways: e-mail, socials, newsletters, trade magazines, direct contact and more. But be careful: look carefully where your target audience is, after all, you want to approach the right group of people. If you put it on social media, you run the risk of also reaching people you might not want to invite at all.
What is the difference between a seminar and webinar?
The name says it all: a webinar is via the web. Often it is online, but you may also do a pre-recorded video. In other words, a webinar follows your target audience from behind their computer, tablet or phone. A seminar, on the other hand, is in physical form. And because it is in real life, it also means that it is often more interactive than the online version. In a seminar, you have more room for direct interaction with each other. Networking, for example, is a lot easier in real life, than in a chat room.
Want to really connect and touch your group? Then organise a seminar. We will be happy to help you think about how best to organise this. At Jaarbeurs, we have years of experience in hosting and organising seminars. Together we go for a successful event.
