Meeting vs. Conference: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on November 15, 2023
A "Meeting" is a gathering for discussion or decision-making, while a "Conference" is a large formal assembly of people with shared interests.
Key Differences
Both "Meeting" and "Conference" refer to gatherings of individuals, but they carry distinct implications regarding their nature and purpose. A "Meeting" typically refers to a gathering of people, often in a professional context, where topics are discussed, decisions are made, or information is shared. On the contrary, a "Conference" usually denotes a larger, often more formal event, where people with shared interests or professions come together to exchange knowledge, discuss trends, or participate in workshops.
While "Meetings" can be casual or formal, they are generally smaller in scale and might happen frequently within organizations. They can be scheduled regularly, like weekly team meetings, or arise spontaneously. "Conferences," in contrast, are generally large events that are planned well in advance and may last for several days, featuring multiple sessions, speakers, and often, a predefined agenda.
The duration and planning involved in "Meetings" and "Conferences" also differ. A "Meeting" might last for just an hour or even less, requiring minimal preparation. Meanwhile, a "Conference" can extend over multiple days, requiring significant planning, including logistics, securing speakers, and arranging venues.
In terms of participation, "Meetings" typically involve participants actively discussing or collaborating. Everyone present usually has a chance to voice their opinions or concerns. In a "Conference," attendees might spend a significant portion of their time listening to experts, attending sessions, or networking, with limited opportunities for direct input.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Can be casual or formal
Typically formal
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Scale
Smaller gatherings
Larger events with many participants
Frequency
Can occur frequently
Typically annual or occasional
Duration
Often shorter (e.g., an hour)
Can last multiple days
Participant Role
Active discussion or collaboration
Listening, attending sessions, networking
Meeting and Conference Definitions
Meeting
An assembly of people to make decisions.
The board meeting decided the company's future.
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Conference
A multi-session assembly with a set agenda.
The conference had sessions on various topics.
Meeting
A chance encounter or appointment.
I had a brief meeting with her at the cafe.
Conference
A large gathering on a particular subject.
The annual tech conference attracts thousands.
Meeting
A scheduled or impromptu assembly.
We had an emergency meeting about the issue.
Conference
An extensive gathering with keynote speakers.
The keynote at the conference was inspiring.
Meeting
A convening of members or stakeholders.
The annual shareholders' meeting is in May.
Conference
A formal event requiring significant planning.
Organizing the international conference took months.
Meeting
A gathering for a specific purpose.
The team had a meeting to discuss the project.
Conference
An event for discussion, education, or networking.
She presented her research at the conference.
Meeting
The act or process or an instance of coming together; an encounter.
Conference
A meeting for consultation or discussion.
Meeting
An assembly or gathering of people, as for a business, social, or religious purpose.
Conference
An exchange of views.
Meeting
The act of persons or things that meet.
Meeting him will be exciting.
I enjoy meeting new people.
Conference
A meeting of committees to settle differences between two legislative bodies.
Meeting
A gathering of persons for a purpose; an assembly.
We need to have a meeting about that soon.
Conference
An assembly of clerical or of clerical and lay members from a particular district in various Protestant churches.
Meeting
(collective) The people at such a gathering.
What has the meeting decided.
Conference
(Sports) An association of teams.
Meeting
An encounter between people, even accidental.
They came together in a chance meeting on the way home from work.
Conference
The act of conferring, as of an academic degree.
Meeting
A place or instance of junction or intersection; a confluence.
Earthquakes occur at the meeting of tectonic plates.
Conference
The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
Meeting
A religious service held by a charismatic preacher in small towns in the United States.
Conference
(politics) A multilateral diplomatic negotiation.
Meeting
(Quakerism) An administrative unit in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Denver meeting is a part of Intermountain yearly meeting.
Conference
(science) A formal event where scientists present their research results in speeches, workshops, posters or by other means.
Meeting
Present participle of meet
Conference
(business) An event organized by a for-profit or non-profit organization to discuss a pressing issue, such as a new product, market trend or government regulation, with a range of speakers.
Meeting
A coming together; an assembling; as, the meeting of Congress.
Conference
(sports) A group of sports teams that play each other on a regular basis.
Meeting
A junction, crossing, or union; as, the meeting of the roads or of two rivers.
Conference
A constituent tournament of a sports league in a given season.
Meeting
A congregation; a collection of people; a convention; as, a large meeting; an harmonious meeting.
Conference
(obsolete) The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.
Meeting
An assembly for worship; as, to attend meeting on Sunday; - in England, applied distinctively and disparagingly to the worshiping assemblies of Dissenters.
Conference
(Methodist Church) A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
Meeting
A formally arranged gathering;
Next year the meeting will be in Chicago
The meeting elected a chairperson
Conference
A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.
Meeting
The social act of assembling for some common purpose;
His meeting with the salesmen was the high point of his day
Conference
To assess (a student) by one-on-one conversation, rather than an examination.
Meeting
A small informal social gathering;
There was an informal meeting in my livingroom
Conference
The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.
Helps and furtherances which . . . the mutual conference of all men's collections and observations may afford.
Meeting
A casual or unexpected convergence;
He still remembers their meeting in Paris
There was a brief encounter in the hallway
Conference
The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
Nor with such free and friendly conferenceAs he hath used of old.
Meeting
The act of joining together as one;
The merging of the two groups occurred quickly
There was no meeting of minds
Conference
A meeting for consultation, discussion, or an interchange of opinions.
Meeting
A place where things merge or flow together (especially rivers);
Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers
Conference
A meeting of the two branches of a legislature, by their committees, to adjust between them.
Conference
A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
Conference
A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.
Conference
A prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
Conference
An association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
Conference
A discussion among participants who have an agreed (serious) topic
FAQs
Is every gathering in a company a "Meeting"?
No, gatherings can vary in nature; they can be meetings, workshops, or trainings.
Can a "Meeting" be informal?
Yes, meetings can be both formal and informal.
Are "Conferences" always multi-day events?
Not always, but they often last multiple days due to their extensive agenda.
Do all "Meetings" need a set agenda?
Not necessarily, but having an agenda helps guide the discussion.
What's the core purpose of a "Meeting"?
A "Meeting" is for discussion, decision-making, or information sharing.
How is a "Conference" generally structured?
A "Conference" often has multiple sessions, speakers, and a set agenda.
How is a "Conference" different from a seminar?
A "Conference" is broader, often covering multiple topics, while a seminar typically focuses on a specific subject.
Who typically attends "Conferences"?
Professionals, experts, students, and enthusiasts related to the conference's theme.
Can a "Meeting" happen virtually?
Yes, virtual or online meetings have become common, especially in recent times.
Are "Conferences" always in-person events?
No, there are many virtual conferences, especially in the digital age.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
