SIG Conference Planning Guide

Dear Conference Leaders,

Congratulations on your appointment to Chair an ACM sponsored or co-sponsored event. This Guide was developed as a resource for conference organizers. It is divided into 8 sections to allow committee members to focus on a particular area of interest.   

Conferences that are part of an existing ACM sponsored or co-sponsored series may submit a Preliminary Approval Form (PAF). Once approved by the sponsoring SIG leadership, you’ll have the ability to promote the event and begin the site selection process. Conferences new to ACM are advised to submit a Technical Meting Request Form (TMRF). This will give the sponsoring SIG leaders the necessary information to approve sponsorship or co-sponsorship. Both forms are explained and linked to from the Guide.

Sponsorship or co-sponsorship of a conference means that ACM is taking legal and financial responsibility for the event on behalf of a Special Interest Group. As a result, there are required practices and policies that need to be followed. The Guide will outline those for you. In addition, the ACM headquarters staff can provide assistance on site selection, finances, contract negotiation and general practices in running an ACM event. To determine your point of contact, see the SIG Services Staff page.

Feedback on the Guide is welcome. Don’t hesitate to let me know what you think.

Sincerely,

Donna Cappo, Director of SIG Services


Table of Contents

Establishing an ACM Sponsored or Co-sponsored Event  

Site Selection, Venue and Hotel Contracting

Conference Registration

Conference Operations

Conference Finances

Proceedings

Conference Promotion, Printing, Awards Production

Conference Web Services

 

Virtual Conferences: A Guide to Best Practices

In March 2020 ACM formed a Presidential Task Force (PTF) to help conference organizers transition their events to online. The PTF is working on a guide to offer practical advice and shed light on the largely unfamiliar territory of online conferencing.

The report, available here, includes pointers to a live document with additional resources. We welcome comments, suggestions and experience reports from the community.

Zoom Meeting Guide

ACM has put together helpful information to assist volunteer leadership with setting up a virtual conference using the Zoom online platform.

Message to Conference Leaders on COVID-19/2019-nCOV (Coronavirus)

ACM is closely monitoring the COVID19 or 2019-nCoV situation (Coronavirus) and its potential impact on ACM conferences.

Policy Against Harassment at ACM Activities

It is important that all conference organizers review this policy.