Worldwide, the resources allocated to the organization, conduct, and attendance of conferences (and related purposeful gatherings of people)—of which the opportunity cost incurred from taking part is no loose change—must surely be astronomical. Of course, charging for attendance helps to recover a portion of a conference's fixed and variable costs (when the purpose of the conference is not simply to make money, which is another story). Even so, we seldom assess the relative value of conferences to participants (or even event planners). The raison d'être of a conference lies in its effects on participants. Specifically, conferences are to generate and share knowledge that impacts behavior and links to results: this will not happen if the state-of-the-art of conference evaluation remains immature and event planners do not shine a light on the conditions for learning outcomes.

Worldwide, the resources allocated to the organization, conduct, and attendance of conferences (and related purposeful gatherings of people)—of which the opportunity cost incurred from taking part is no loose change—must surely be astronomical. Of course, charging for attendance helps to recover a portion of a conference's fixed and variable costs (when the purpose of the conference is not simply to make money, which is another story). Even so, we seldom assess the relative value of conferences to participants (or even event planners). The raison d'être of a conference lies in its effects on participants. Specifically, conferences are to generate and share knowledge that impacts behavior and links to results: this will not happen if the state-of-the-art of conference evaluation remains immature and event planners do not shine a light on the conditions for learning outcomes.

We have to pay for the conference according to the following:

• The venue cost
• The food cost (coffee/tea-break, lunch, dinner)
• Sponsorships and the invitations to the worldwide Professors
• The proceeding cost
• The conference bag and the other accessories

I follow the discussion my dear colleague!

following

A lot of costs - accommodation, technical equipment, printing materials, catering, invited lecturers...

I agree with RG coleagues , paying for a conference will help in covering some of the expenses of the event.

I think it costs a lot of money to put conferences. Generally, the fees are to help cover this

Almost international conferences asked too much registeration fees regardless any marginal fees that participants and attendee pays to come to the event. Like air tickets, hotel reservation and so on.

Maybe to pay conferences charges

It is very good that this question appeared on the research portal Research Gate. It's good that there was a discussion about this question.

The conferences are divided into commercial, paid, on which scientific topics are addressed, as well as for socially organized, subsidized, scientific conferences sponsored by specific institutions. In my opinion, whether the organizer requires payments or free conferences, it does not decide whether the conference is strictly, mainly scientific, where particularly important scientific issues are addressed and the results of the latest scientific research are provided.

I think most of coferences have become commercial projects for the organizers.

Ben Levin - I suspect that some reputable conferences charge high fees in order to FUND their related reputable journals.

This is a difficult one. Of course, conference organisers must cover their costs (venue hire, invited speakers, refreshments etc.). But, at the same time, it always seems ironic to me that, as with academic journals, academics contribute all the content, reviewing etc for free, and then have to pay to read the journals (assuming not open access) or attend the conferences that they "create". I certainly think that registration fees should be kept to the minimum level necessary to cover costs, especially for PhD students and Early Career Researchers.

I've also noticed that, over the years, conference fees tend no longer to cover accommodation, conference dinner etc. Maybe that is a way of keeping registration costs down and giving greater choice to delegates. But it can also make conference attendance something of a luxury and deter participation from delegates from developing countries.

No easy answer here, I'm afraid.

The logistics for conferences cost money beside the invitation of key note speakers in many reputable scientific conferences costs a lot. Many reputable keynote speakers are registered in the international association of speakers [or so] where fees are fixed. I did organize several international conferences where one of the speaker's fee was 15000 dls for 3 days!! So, if I bring such figures known world wide, the conference costs go up and part of it goes into fees, the other part is from the university budget and sponsors from the industry.

Also for your information, Several times prof. like Michael Porter [Harvard] charge way higher fees for a day when they come to the Gulf countries for international conferences... [Business Themes]

We have to check the following information before participating in any conference:

1. Organizing body

2. The hosting body

3. Nature of the conference.

4. Relevance of the conference with your interest

5.Publication opportunities

I hope it helps!

The conference needs funding and by which its organizers can do that

thanks for good and very important question for reaseacher. Very good answers. On the one hand, it's nice when you are well received and everything is free. But on the other hand, obtaining knowledge and experience also requires financial expenses.

Conferences and conventions are special events, not regular meetings. They require months of planning, preparation, and money to present. Since most events are held in hotels or convention centers, there is a charge for use of the facilities. Along with this charge, the facility will require that the group purchase food and coffee. Other expenses include travel and lodging for the speakers, printing of flyers and schedules, postage, and supplies. A large event requires a substantial amount of money.

to show the interest of participants

Conferences are special events, not regular meetings. They require months of preparation, and money to present. Most events are held in hotels or , there is a charge for use of the facilities. Along with this charge, the facility will require that the group purchase food and coffee.

Paying is OK but how to decide whether they are charging optimal or more? People are making it business. So I publish in new journal but I don't pay. I ever review and refer for subscription but I don't pay to journal

Academic conferences are meant for discussion of any academic and researchable issues for the greater benefit of people, society and the nature. Essentially it sponsors a whole range of stakeholders for discussion,sharing,debating and prioritizIng future activities and course of action in a particular event for a day or a few days in some particular topic.

Cosharing of the entire cost by the organizers and the participants should be ideal,but sometimes getting a partial sponsorship is expected to reduce the burden for co sharing.

It is also not expected that the organisers putting pressure to pay the participants at a higher rate for making profit out of the conference.In that case the whole noble objective gets diluted.

Because it's for companies and stakeholders

noted

Face up. Many conferences are money-making events. The direct costs are low. Ultimately, technology will take care of these social injustices. Think about it, you should be paid for a rigorous exercise of your brain. However, only people who have exploited the society and built a celebrity status will be paid, and excessively. That injustice will succumb to technology.

In order to cover the costs of the conference

follow

For me it covers the costs of the conference and is therefore essential.

It covers the total cost of conference management.

it pays the costs of the congresses and also helps economically the organizations that organize the congresses

Yes

We never charged for our conferences, all partners of our society carrying their costs for traveling etc... Many conferences are really meant to generate profit to the organisers.....

In my perception conference is ground where funds generated, firstly used for publication of proceedings depending upon its indexing. Secondly, its used to bear expenses related to hospitality, travelling allowances. Thirdly, if a society/organisation is organizing it is, platform used by them for publicity along with some revenue generation for the same.

We charge anything for our conference for the last 15 years, anyhow we have top speakers and cost are mostly carried by universities. In case of interest you can check out tesct.org... our origin was proposal writing and gathering interdisciplinary excellence which is independent.

If there are value-added outcomes worth every penny paid!

A conference industry has developed which is questionable.

I agree with you

Up

The payment should be afrodable

Everyone is free to join our 10th Workmeeting in Piran for free. For more info check out my RG-site or tesct.org