Guide · Event organisers
Organising International Financial Market Conferences
A good securities finance conference earns its audience through a relevant agenda and credible speakers. This guide covers planning steps from concept to post-event follow-up for organisers worldwide.
Last reviewed 27 October 2026
Planning timeline
| Time before event | Tasks |
|---|---|
| 9–12 months | Define audience and theme, set budget, shortlist venues and dates (avoid AGM season and major holidays) |
| 6–9 months | Confirm venue, open sponsorship conversations, invite keynote and regulatory speakers |
| 3–6 months | Publish agenda outline, open registration, list event in calendars |
| 1–3 months | Finalise speakers and panels, brief moderators, confirm AV and catering |
| Event week | Rehearse sessions, check accessibility, run registration desk |
| After the event | Share session summaries, gather feedback, publish attendee-approved materials |
Structuring the agenda
- Open with a global market overview, then compare regional and local practice.
- Publish session times with explicit time zones; provide accessible materials and interpretation where needed.
- Review visas, local holidays, travel accessibility and dietary needs before choosing dates and venues.
- Include at least one regulatory session; regulators' availability is often limited, so invite early and respect their speaking policies.
- Mix panels with short technical presentations and practical workshops.
- Leave time for networking: it is a major reason delegates attend.
Sponsor packages
Offer tiered packages with clear deliverables, and keep a firm separation between sponsored sessions and independent content. Label sponsored sessions clearly in the agenda.
Choosing an international host city
New York and Toronto
Consider North American delegate access, visa requirements and cross-border travel when planning institutional lending and Treasury market sessions.
London, Paris and Frankfurt
Useful settings for European funding and regulatory discussions; plan for multilingual delegates and different national holidays.
São Paulo, Johannesburg and Dubai
Match the agenda to local market infrastructure, travel access, language needs and regional practitioner interests.
Hong Kong
Strong concentration of prime brokers, custodians and hedge funds; convenient for mainland China themes.
Singapore
Regional treasury and asset management hub; good for ASEAN and repo themes.
Tokyo
Deep domestic market; consider simultaneous interpretation and Japanese-language materials.
Compliance and brand care
Do not use another organisation's name, logo or event branding without permission, and avoid names that suggest an association connection you do not have. Be clear about who is organising the event and how delegate data will be used.