How can you manage conflicts with venue staff or management during your conference?

2 Review the contract and policies

Another key factor in managing conflicts with venue staff or management is to review the contract and policies carefully. You should be familiar with the terms and conditions of your agreement, such as the cancellation policy, the payment schedule, the liability clause, and the dispute resolution process. You should also check the venue's rules and regulations, such as the noise level, the smoking policy, the security measures, and the emergency procedures. If you have any questions or doubts, ask for clarification before signing the contract or making any changes. If you encounter any issues or discrepancies, refer to the contract or policies as a reference point.

3 Seek external support or mediation

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not be able to resolve a conflict with venue staff or management on your own. In that case, you may need to seek external support or mediation. You can consult your legal advisor, your insurance provider, your event planner, or your professional association for advice and assistance. You can also request a third-party mediator, such as a lawyer, a mediator, or a arbitrator, to help you negotiate and settle the dispute. Depending on the nature and severity of the conflict, you may need to take legal action or terminate the contract.

4 Learn from the experience

Finally, you should learn from the experience and use it to improve your future conference organization. You should evaluate the causes and consequences of the conflict, and identify what you did well and what you could have done better. You should also collect feedback from your attendees, speakers, sponsors, and partners on their satisfaction with the venue and the event. You should document the lessons learned and the best practices, and share them with your team and your network. You should also acknowledge and appreciate the venue staff or management for their cooperation and collaboration, and maintain a professional relationship with them.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?