How does it actually work?

The conference uses an easy-to-use bulletin board, which is split into different areas. Each workshop and presentation has its own area with a discussion. Delegates log into the conference and read/watch the presentations and then discuss these with the presenters/other delegates.

In terms of the way the conference is organised, it is much like a physical conference, only delegates do not need to travel and are not in the same room as the other delegates. The conference is open 24 hours a day, so delegates can login whenever it suits their working hours and time zone. Each day a summary of each discussion is posted, so it's easy to keep up with what's going on.

Delegates get access to the conference one week before the conference starts to look around, familiarise themselves with how it works (it's real easy to use) and read/watch the presentations, chat in the social area, etc. During the actual conference, the discussions are open and people will be posting their comments and questions. It's a very supportive environment and it's amazing to hear of the experience and views from people all over the world.

After the conference is over, delegates have a further month to read any bits they missed or would like to read again. There is no restriction on how many times a delegate can log in. For more informatoion see the FAQ section or contact us for more information.

Here's what a few previous delegates said about the SDP conferences:

"I would like to say I think this was the best conference I have ever attended. I hope I don’t sound insincere when I say the experience was almost indescribable. The wealth of knowledge, experience, and perspective brought by the delegates and presenters alike was amazing."

"Excellent in terms of cost, excellent in terms of flexibility and access. I would have real problems attending a 'normal' conference due to childcare issues, so this was a real bonus for me. It also enabled people from much further away to participate... So I think we had a more international mix than would have been possible otherwise. I thought the idea was great and it worked really well for me. It never really occurred to me that this type of thing might be possible, but I think it was really effective."

"I would do this again in a heartbeat . The level of the discussion and supportive, respectful tone of the comments set it way above many live forums (or online, too) that I have been in."

"The preconference plan was superb, to be able to read the papers and take notes a week before the conference. Good thing someone emailed me and warned me that the papers were ready to be read. Just many thanks for this great opportunity to share with great minds. I felt my own philosphy was solidified, congealed, affirmed, and shared! Cannot do that much in a hotel conference!"

"Having recently come back from a conference in the US which cost hundreds of pounds to attend (including flights, accommodation, etc) and involved two days' enforced under-activity while travelling, I would have to say that on-line conferencing like this just has to be a major part of the future. It is so many times more convenient, with the added bonus that you can (a) participate in several discussions simultaneously and (b) every part is 'frozen' for us all to re-live during the discussions as and when we need to. How many times would I have appreciated such a "run what you said three days ago by me again" facility at a face to face event!"

See more comments and information on our previous SDP conferences here.