SEMINAR

WHAT IS A SEMINAR?

 

MEANING:

A seminar is a group meeting led by an expert that focuses on a specific topic or discipline, such as business, job searches or a university field such as literature. Seminars typically take place over the course of a few days and involve cooperative discussion, multiple speakers and opportunities to share perspectives and issues related to the topic. Attending a seminar has numerous benefits, including improving communication skills, gaining expert knowledge, networking with others and renewing motivation and confidence.

DEFENATION:

A seminar may be defined as a gathering of people for the purpose of discussing a stated topic. Such gatherings are usually interactive sessions where the participants engage in discussions about the delineated topic. The sessions are usually headed or led by one or two presenters who serve to steer the discussion along the desired path.

 

PURPOSE OF A SEMINAR

 

A seminar may have several purposes or just one purpose. For instance, a seminar may be for the purpose of education, such as a lecture, where the participants engage in the discussion of an academic subject for the aim of gaining a better insight into the subject. Other forms of educational seminars might be held to impart some skills or knowledge to the participants. Examples of such seminars include personal finance, web marketing, real estate, investing or other types of seminars where the participants gain knowledge or tips about the topic of discussion.

Of course, a seminar can be motivational, in which case the purpose is usually to inspire the attendees to become better people, or to work towards implementing the skills they might have learned from the seminar. For instance, a business seminar with a financial theme could be for the purpose of teaching small business owners how to pitch to investors or to write a solid business plan, and to motivate them to get started right away.

Sometimes, seminars are simply a way for businessmen and women, or other like-minded people, to network and meet other attendees with similar interests. Such seminars provide opportunities for the attendees to make some potentially valuable contacts that can help them move to the next level in their careers or endeavors.

A trade seminar brings a wide cross-section of the community together, such as government officials, businessmen and women and the general public. Such seminars often consist of workshops and the presentation of white papers. They are usually held for the purpose of networking with various vendors and making new connections.

 

PLANNING A SEMINAR

1. The first step towards planning an effective seminar is to determine what the purpose of the seminar will be.
2. Think about the target audience who will participate and what they stand to gain from attending the seminar.
3. Every seminar must have an agenda, so determine what the agenda will be.
4. Set a budget for the seminar and work within this budget, and don’t get too carried away with the selection of venue and other considerations that could potentially cost money.

 

TYPES OF SEMINARS

Live Seminars

Live seminars are presentations in various areas of practice with actual presenters following a published schedule.  Live seminars provide opportunities for interaction with the faculty members considered experts in the subject area, and time for Q & A is generally built into the seminar schedule.  Live seminars are most often conducted at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix.

Video Replay

A video replay is a scheduled replay of a live presentation.  For each scheduled replay there is a live moderator that is present for part of or the entire seminar to make the replay eligible for interactive CLE credit.

Live Webcast

Live webcasts are presentations in various areas of practice with actual presenters in a live studio setting.  Attendees participate via a web portal on their computer.  These seminars are presented live at the scheduled time, and provide an opportunity through a link to submit questions to the presenter/s.  CLE West webcasts are usually 5-7 hours in length and are a great way to get your CLE credits without having to leave your desk.

Before you participate in a webcast, it is important that you make sure you have the proper software and hardware requirements.

Webinar

Live webinars are presentations in various areas of practice with actual presenters in a live studio setting that are offered online only.  Attendees participate via a web portal on their computer.  These seminars are presented live at the scheduled time, and provide an opportunity through a link to submit questions to the presenter/s.  CLE West webcasts are usually 1-3 hours in length and are a great way to get your CLE credits without having to leave your desk.

Before you participate in a webinar, it is important that you make sure you have the proper software and hardware requirements.

On Demand

On-demand seminars are recorded presentations of live webcasts, webinars, and seminars that you can watch at your leisure.  Resource materials typically accompany these programs.  On-demand seminars do have viewing expiration dates, so be sure to take not of the date of purchase of any on-demand program.  The State Bar of Arizona does grant interactive CLE credit for on-demand programs and Arizona attorneys may earn up to 15 credits per reporting period by viewing on-demand seminars, as defined by the MCLE rules and regulations.