General Session
A main conference session where all attendees gather together in one room.
Definition
A general session (also called a main stage session or plenary) is a conference segment designed for the full audience to attend together, typically featuring keynote speakers, major announcements, or programming of universal interest.
These sessions set the tone for the conference and often occur at the opening, closing, or critical midpoints.
Why It Matters
General sessions create shared experiences that build community among attendees and ensure everyone receives key messages. They're prime real estate for sponsors and ideal for major reveals or announcements.
The success of general sessions often defines overall event satisfaction and return attendance rates.
Examples in Practice
A tech conference opens with a general session featuring the CEO's vision keynote and major product announcements.
A medical symposium uses general sessions for award presentations and plenary lectures by renowned researchers.
A sales kickoff begins each day with a high-energy general session to align the team before breakout training.