Meeting Planning Checklist


Below is a listing of basic procedures to be used in order to assist you with duties and timing of duties. This list should be viewed as a guideline. If you find you are able to complete something prior to when the list below is stating, please do so. Please contact any one of the GSA Staff team with any questions you may have.

Schedule of things to do before the meeting:
36–48 Months Out 1–2 Months Out  
18–24 Months Out 10–12 Months Out  
8–10 Months Out 2 Weeks Out  
16–19 Months Out 4–6 Months Out  
2–4 Months Out  1 Week Out  

Schedule of things to do during the meeting:

Schedule of things to do after the meeting:
Immediately After Meeting 1–2 Months After 2–3 Months After


36–48 Months Out
Task Person Responsible
Identify possible dates for the meeting. Local Committee Chair
Prepare preliminary meeting outline to include blocks for program sessions, social events, exhibits, sleeping room requirements, and a brief description of each. Local Committee Chair
Send meeting requirements to selected sites with requests for written proposals. Begin site negotiations and sign contracts GSA

18–24 Months Out
Task Person Responsible
Select and appoint committee chairs. Local Committee Chair
Begin the process of establishing hotels for meeting, and finalize hotel contracts. GSA
Contact potential sponsors requesting consideration in their budgets for the following year. Local Committee Chair
Prepare preliminary budget categories and set preliminary budget. Include items such as registration costs, field trip costs, exhibit space rates, etc. Local Committee Chair in conjunction with section secretary and GSA

16–19 Months Out
Task Person Responsible
Work with GSA to identify areas of need for outside suppliers; outline specific requirements, and select decorator, security, airline, car rental, audiovisual, entertainment, destination management, transportation. Local Committee and GSA
Assemble exhibitor prospect lists. Local Committee Chair
Establish meeting theme and preliminary graphics (logo, program, etc.). Local Committee Chair


10–12 Months Out
Task Person Responsible
Determine preliminary food and beverage requirements and negotiate menus and prices with facility. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Review hotel contract deadline dates, along with checklist of other items. GSA
Begin working on the Student Mentor Programs. Local Committee Chair in conjuntion with GSA
Compile master list of suggested program topics, including general sessions, workshops, luncheons, and ancillary (e.g., spouse/guest) events. Local Committee
Compare hotel space and specifications and make tentative room assignments of meeting functions and activities. Local Committee Chair in conjunction with GSA
Make final selections of all remaining suppliers. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Follow-up on exhibitor mailing. Local Committee

8–10 Months Out
Task Person Responsible
Prepare and forward to meeting facility or facilities a tentative meeting schedule. Local Committee Chair
Finalize materials for first announcement published in GSA Today. Local Committee in conjunction with GSA
Begin preparation of hotel function space diagrams for registration, general sessions, workshops, social functions, and so on. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Research tax exemption. This is for items sold on-site as well as invoices being paid
GSA

4–6 Months Out
Task Person Responsible
Student Mentor Programs should be finalized with facilitator and room location. Local Committee Chair in conjunction with GSA
Advertise at the GSA annual meeting held in the Fall. Local Committee
Identify and assign staff on-site responsibilities, including Student Volunteers. Local Committee Chair in conjunction with GSA

2–4 Months Out
Task Person Responsible

Continuously review contracted blocked hotel room pickup and pass along numbers to General Chair.

GSA
Review session schedule, room assignments, and function-room diagrams with facilities and appropriate outside suppliers. GSA in conjuction with Local Committee
Review meeting budget and adjust as required. Local Committee Chair
Prepare exhibit flooring plan, exhibitor list, and schedule for program book. Local Committee
Determine security needs. Local Committee Chair, using GSA as a reference source
Prepare sign list; order signs. Local Committee Chair in conjunction with GSA
Research tax exemption. This is for items sold on-site as well as invoices being paid. GSA

1–2 Months Out
Task Person Responsible
Confirm all food-and-beverage selections. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Confirm all sponsored events. Local Committee Chair
Print workbooks and handouts. Local Committee Chair
Send final agenda to exhibitors and a request to register online for the meeting. Local Committee
Arrange for all staff and VIP travel and housing. Local Committee Chair in conjunction with GSA
Order amenities. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Pass student poster winner names on to GSA General Chair

2 Weeks Out
Task Person Responsible
Set up all on-site individual pre-conference review meetings with suppliers. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Pack and send all conference materials for early shipment. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair

1 Week Out
Task Person Responsible
Finalize food and beverage guarantees. GSA
Confirm changes with properties. GSA
Verify VIP arrivals, and schedule airport pickups, if applicable. Local Committee Chair

On Site
Task Person Responsible
Receive and inventory all shipments, equipment, and suppliers. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Review all VIP arrangements. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Set up conference offices. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
onduct personnel instructional briefings for registration staff, volunteers, and others. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Review each day’s requirements, and highlight following day’s requirements. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Reemphasize communication lines and authority and responsibility levels to meeting staff, suppliers, meeting facility staff, and volunteers. GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair
Arrange daily invoice review with meeting facilities. Local Committee in conjunction with GSA
Confirm and monitor pickup of all rental equipment and supplies. Local Committee in conjunction with GSA
Arrange for return shipment of all materials. Local Committee in conjunction with GSA
Conduct post-conference wrap-up meeting with meeting facility departments and suppliers as needed. Local Committee in conjunction with GSA

Immediately After Meeting
Task Person Responsible
Do financial reconciliation. Local Committee Chair

1–2 Months After
Task Person Responsible
Prepare list for thank-you letters; prepare, and mail letters. Local Committee Chair
Collect and organize data for final meeting reports. Local Committee Chair

Review each invoice received, break each down into appropriate meeting categories, and schedule payment.
MUST BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN JUNE 30.

GSA in conjunction with Local Committee Chair

2–3 Months After
Task Person Responsible
Prepare final financial reports, breaking them into appropriate subcategories for final meeting report and reports to management, sponsors, and funding sources. Local Committee Chair
Prepare final meeting report and distribute. Local Committee Chair

Links to Tips Pages:
Meeting Planning ChecklistTerminologyWhat Can HappenMap of GSA SectionsGSA StaffSearch  | Section Manual Home Page