Logic suggests that in the daily program demanding presentations (especially major lectures) should precede entertaining and interactive events. This translates to the following order: Plenary Lectures, State-of-the-Art Lectures, Short Communications, Colloquia and Workshops, Poster Sessions, Forums, Business Meetings. However, in practice modifications are usually necessary. During the first day of the meeting, a welcome speech or Welcome Ceremony will precede the daily program. On other days, special interest breakfasts may precede the sessions. Special interest luncheons may be held during one or more noon breaks. In the afternoons, Colloquia may be scheduled so that data shown in preceding Poster Sessions can be discussed. A Closing Lecture will obviously be the last scientific event of the meeting; however, it is debatable if it should be given before or after the Business Session, if the latter is held during the last day of the meeting (see Section 3.2).

There are some frequently ignored rules:

The first one states: ‘The more time for interactive events, the better.’ Even at the smallest conference, there should be a time slot for informal discussions between participants. An afternoon consisting of four one-hour lectures followed by the immediate departure of the speakers is very unsatisfactory.

The second rule is equally important: ‘Don't overload your program.’ Unless local (geographic, climatic or transportation) conditions make a different schedule advisable, do not start the sessions before 9 am. At meetings of longer duration, have lunch and evening breaks lasting at least 90 minutes. This is particularly important at international meetings with participants from different time zones.

A third rule also expresses common sense: ‘During parallel sessions, avoid overlap of topics as much as possible.’