We suggest that you prepare the following items for the day of the symposium:

Name Badges

You can generate printable name tags from your registration list. Keep the name tag layout simple: a small conference logo or title, the person’s full name in LARGE, readable letters, and the person’s institution. Don’t make people squint to read names on name tags.

The actual type of name tag (paper stick-on, pin-on plastic case, hang-around-the-neck, etc.) depends on your preference and your budget. If you do provide stick-on tags, you may want to generate at least one tag for each day of the conference since attendees won’t be able to reuse the tags. If you use plastic badges (recommended), you can invite attendees to recycle them at the end of the conference.

Materials and Handouts

At a minimum, you need to provide some sort of printed program. For most symposia, the following is usually adequate. You are likely to have late or walk-on registrations, so be sure to have some extras.

• Simple folder with . . .
• Printed program/schedule
• Maps
• List of attendees (if you have permission to do this)
• Faculty Ministry brochure
• Emerging Scholars Network brochure
• Faculty Ministry announcements about conferences or programs in the coming year
• A name tag
• Writing materials (pen and pad)

For larger, well-financed symposia, you may want to include a conference bag. Sometimes you can also ask vendors to provide “freebies” that you can include in the conference packet.

Book Table

Each symposium should provide an opportunity for participants to engage with authors and issues that will help them grow and strengthen their faith. InterVarsity Press is a great resource in putting together your book table. Since you should be working with at least one InterVarsity staff, you can ask him or her to help you set up a book table.

Displays

You should obtain a tabletop display from Graduate & Faculty Ministries. Check with if you have questions about this. Local staff in your area may also have a display that you can borrow. If you have a display, assign a committee member to be in charge of setting it up rather than taking this on yourself. You will also want a supply of Faculty Ministry and Emerging Scholars Network brochures and materials to go with the display. Again, contact Lorrey Thabet for these brochures.

Audio/Visual Needs

Will your speaker need a microphone? Is he or she using PowerPoint as part of the presentation? Do you want to record the talks? Don’t forget to consider your audio/visual needs and make requests as needed with your venue.