Conference - Definition and Overview

The term conference can be used to describe any meeting of people that confer about a certain topic.

• In politics, a conference is usually a multilateral diplomatic negotiation (like the Potsdam Conference).
• In science, a conference is a formalized event where scientists present their research results in speeches, workshops or by other means.
• In evangelical Christianity, a conference is a series of meetings where topics related to Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the church are discussed. Often new books and other media are present for sale in them and original research may be presented.
• In business, a business conference is an event organized by a for-profit or non-profit organization to discuss a pressing issue -- like a new product, market trend or government regulation -- with a range of speakers. Many are open to the public for a fee.

Sports

• In English association football, the fifth and sixth tiers of the football league are called the Football Conference.
• In the United States, football has two NFL conferences: the National Football Conference (NFC), and the American Football Conference (AFC). The winners of these two conferences go on to play in the annual Super Bowl.
• In American basketball, there are two NBA conferences - the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference. The winners of these conferences go on to play in the NBA Finals for the NBA championship.
• In ice hockey, there are two NHL conferences - the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference. The winners of these conferences go on to play in the Stanley Cup Finals for the Stanley Cup.

External links

• Conference Alerts (http://www.conferencealerts.com) lists upcoming academic conferences around the world
• e-symposium.com (http://www.e-symposium.com) Provider of Web Conferences and Industry Intelligence
• The Wall Street Transcript Conference Series (http://www.twst.com/conferences) Provider of Executive Forums for the Financial, Investment and Benefits Industries