Final programs are an essential on-site tool for attendees. Unlike advance programs, these programs are designed to guide and inform the attendee. They can and typically include:
- Agenda
- Program-at-a-glance
- Index of sessions
- Abstracts
- Speaker biographies
- Advertiser index
- Advertisements
- Program committee recognition
- Conference map
- Save the date (future event marketing)
The appearance of Final Programs can be 4-color printed on glossy stock for a more professional look, but options of printing black ink on inside pages with some color printing for specialty pages is a more cost-effective option. Programs are typically under 50 pages and are saddle stitched or coil bound.
With session handouts going online or on CD, the Final Program is becoming more complete with detailed session overviews and "notes" pages inside allowing the attendee the ability to take notes (See the Conference Learning Journal).
Online Program | Itinerary Builders
Larger conferences using an online abstract collection system sometime offer online itinerary builders. This allows attendees to craft a personalized outline of the sessions they want to see and gives them the option to print out their agenda and bring it to the event. This is more of an augmenting strategy to the printed on-site program.
Personal itineraries can be added to printed publications through variable data printing, making the book unique to each attendee. These can be packed in alpha sequence and even pre-stuffed in tote bags for easy distribution at registration.
Personal itineraries can be added to printed publications through variable data printing, making the book unique to each attendee. These can be packed in alpha sequence and even pre-stuffed in tote bags for easy distribution at registration.