Conference management software: 10 Questions to ask before you buy

6 minute read

Not all conference management software is created equal. So ask these 10 questions before you purchase.

The conference management software you select is going to directly impact your experience of running a research conference at every level. I’m talking about everything from your stress levels to how much of your time you spend comparing reviews. It also has a reputational impact – you want to provide the best possible system for authors submitting, reviewers reviewing and delegates registering that won’t show you in a bad light!

When it comes to choosing conference management software for your research event, price should never be the be-all and end-all. I’ve spoken to hundreds of organisers to get to the bottom of what’s really important to their event and their committee. And while price is a factor, you’d be surprised how rarely it comes down to price alone.

Why is conference management software important?

Conference management software is essential for streamlining and enhancing the planning and execution of scholarly conferences. It centralises core tasks like registration, conference programme, and abstract submission, saving organisers time and reducing manual effort. With tools for managing attendee engagement, speaker coordination such as your conference mobile app, it ensures a more seamless experience for all participants. Overall, conference management software allows for efficient, organised, and successful events that meet both organiser and attendee expectations.

We know someone who used to print thousands of submissions and sort them into topic piles on their office floor, walking around with Post-its to match submissions to reviewers. Thankfully, they no longer need to, thanks to conference management software (ours, of course!). Others struggle with low-budget tools like Google Forms, which can create a poor first impression for members, authors, and attendees.

Conference management software integrates abstract management, registration, scheduling, and reliable virtual or hybrid event support into one streamlined system. If you expect more than 50 submissions, investing in software designed for the demands of scholarly events is essential—it’ll help you manage the complexities of the process, save valuable time, and reduce stress for your team.

So it’s vital you get the right system for your conference. But with so much choice out there – and an assortment of free conference management systems – what’s important to look for?

Here are 10 questions to ask when you’re comparing software options for your conference.

1. How does the allocation process work?

Without the right software, matching the appropriate submissions to the appropriate reviewers can be one of the most frustratingly time-consuming tasks known to man. What the conference organisers I speak to want most out of a conference management system is an efficient way to do this. But not all conference management software is created equal: with some systems, there’s still a lot of work involved in allocating submissions. So it’s important you get a good understanding of how the process is designed within any system, and how long it’s likely to take you to allocate.

Look for conference management software like Ex Ordo that’s built specifically for scientific, technical or medical conferences. It’s more likely to have sophisticated abstract management capabilities.

2. What kind of visibility does the software provide?

Screenshot of conference management software showing which reviews are in progress

With software like Ex Ordo you can see how reviews are progressing

Can you easily see which authors have incomplete submissions, or which reviewers haven’t started reviewing yet? The ability to see this is pretty vital because, for example, how else do you balance sending reminders to reviewers with lots of outstanding reviews, while leaving the ones making good progress in peace?

So be sure to ask what kind of visibility you get via the conference management system on who’s progressing with what.

3. What’s the process for accepting or rejecting submissions?

As many conferences are international and some presenters may need to obtain a visa to enter the country of your conference, being able to make decisions and notify your presenters in a timely manner is important. Simplicity and visibility are key here.

You need a system that’ll provide you with an easy way to filter submissions to compare reviewers’ scores and comments, make your final decisions on who to accept and reject, and then send letters of acceptance to the relevant authors. So check that the conference management system lets you make decisions quickly and easily.

4. Can reviewers export their assigned submissions?

Some reviewers still like working with paper. Others like to review while getting the bus to work or on a flight before their vacation. So you need conference software that’ll give them the ability to review offline.

Look for a conference management system that allows reviewers to download, comment and review on paper, and then upload their reviews. The majority of reviewers review in their spare time – you want to make it as easy as possible for them to do this.

5. Will the system allow me to message specific groups of people within the conference?

Screengrab showing message filtering options in Ex Ordo conference management system

When it comes to running a research conference, clear communication is half the battle.  Can the conference management software let you get in touch with, say, authors with pending submissions? Or delegates who haven’t paid?

Being able to target groups like this can make you much more efficient when you need to contact people. So look for software where targeted messaging comes as standard.

6. What kind of tech support does your company provide?

This is a question rookie organisers frequently overlook, but I can’t stress how important it is. Especially if you’re considering going with budget or free conference management software. Like any software that will have hundreds (and potentially thousands) of people from your conference using it at once, sometimes things go wrong. When they do, it’s vital you have an expert on hand who can help get you untangled.

Select conference management software like Ex Ordo that’s backed by solid support. People often don’t realise how much of a must-have that is until they’re in the middle of organising their conference!

7. Can I see which presenters have registered? (And paid)?

Screengrab showing which presenters have paid in Ex Ordo conference management software

When you’re finalising your conference schedule, you’ll need to check that every presenter has paid to attend. If the conference management system you’re considering doesn’t allow this, it could mean hours of cross-checking two systems.

Ask if the software includes a registration system as standard, and if so, if it’s powerful enough to differentiate between presenters and regular delegates.

8. Is the conference management software GDPR compliant?

The GDPR is the European Union’s new data protection law. It applies to anyone who controls the personal data of EU citizens and comes with pretty big fines for non-compliance. It also gives every EU citizen the same rights, no matter where their data is processed. Which means that, even if your conference is held outside the EU, there’s a good chance the GDPR applies to you as a conference organiser. And for your conference to be GDPR compliant, any suppliers who process your delegates’ data need to be compliant too. Which means your conference management software.

Before you buy, check that the conference management system is GDPR compliant.

9. Can the conference software integrate with a mobile app?

Mobile conference apps are fast becoming a pillar of the research conference experience. Apps make large areas – and complex schedules – much easier for delegates to navigate. And they can drastically shrink your conference printing costs too.

If you’re considering using an app, but your conference management system can’t integrate with one, you could miss out on a lot of the benefits, and spend a considerable amount of time exporting and importing data. Ask if the conference management software integrates with a mobile conference app.  

No panic conference guide

10. Can I see it in action?

And finally…ask if you can see the conference management software in action. When you’re comparing software, questions will often build up that screenshots may not be able to answer. Like what are the benefits of system X compared to system Y, or whether or not your complex workflow is possible within the conference management software. The best thing to do is have a one-to-one conversation with the company before you make up your mind.

Request a live demo of any conference management system on your committee’s short-list. It’s the best and most time efficient way of knowing if a particular system is right for you.

Investing in conference management software

When you’re investing in conference management software, you’re investing in the quality of your event. But you’re also investing in your own time and that of your committee. You have too many important tasks to do between now and conference day to be fiddling around with a system that isn’t the right fit for your event.

What to Look for in Conference Management Software

Many general conference management software packages claim to offer conference features, but these are often limited. When comparing options, ensure the software meets your specific needs. High-quality software should include these essential features:

Abstract Management: Authors submit online, with the system automatically checking submissions for requirements (like word limits) and sorting by topic and presentation type. It should also assist in allocating submissions to the best reviewers, saving hours of manual work.

Delegate Registration: Look for a registration system that enables you to set up a merchant account for a short period, allowing you to receive payments quickly. The best systems will also help you avoid high fees commonly charged by online payment providers.

Programme Building: With numerous authors, topics, and timing conflicts, creating a programme can feel like solving a puzzle. A quality programme builder will allow you to create parallel sessions, detect conflicts, and seamlessly share the schedule via a mobile app, eliminating the need for printed copies.

Hybrid or Online Solution: While in-person meetings are more prevalent again, hybrid or online options continue to add value. Efficient conference software integrates virtual and hybrid functionalities with the rest of its features.

Customer Support: Tech support is invaluable—particularly human support, not just chatbots. Good software providers offer responsive support to help resolve any issues that arise.

Mobile Conference App: An app simplifies navigation at large venues and complex programmes. It allows delegates to send private messages, make public posts, and receive instant updates if a session location changes.

Data Compliance: As you handle personal information, ensure your software meets data protection standards like GDPR.

Book of Proceedings: Save on costs by collecting camera-ready submissions through your software, formatting them into a book of proceedings, and publishing it online.

Integrations: Your software should integrate with your existing tech, such as membership systems and single sign-on, to streamline operations and improve the member experience.

For an optimal user experience, look for an end-to-end conference management solution that includes top integrations, automations, and prioritises user experience.

Peter Casserly

Peter’s been with Ex Ordo so long he’s worked in all four of our Galway offices. Peter is obsessed with building our commercial offerings to fuel our company growth. When he’s not closing deals in all corners of the globe, he’s on the lookout for his next fitness fix (which could be anything from a boxing tournament to cycling in the Algarve). His three favourite things about working at Ex Ordo are the challenge to become an Irish multinational, delighting customers, and the craic. In his spare time, Peter runs around waving a stick while wearing a cage on his head. Otherwise known as playing hurling.