It's an unfortunate fact of life that most conference booklets don't get kept, let alone remembered. They get skimmed once, forgotten under a chair, or tossed when the attendee gets home and realizes it's nothing more than a glorified schedule (that they already had in their event app).
And that's the problem. Most conference booklets are designed to be functional, but not much else. They're informational but not actually valuable.
Still there are those rare ones: the ones people tuck into their notebooks, quote from, revisit later, or even save as inspiration. All of them, no matter the conference topic, have one thing in common:
They're designed with intention behind them.
They're meant to be kept, not just used, and in this article, we'll show you what to include in a conference booklet that will make your attendees want to do the same.
What makes a conference booklet worth keeping?
Most organizers think, "We'll stick to the schedule, add a welcome letter, some speaker bios and sponsor logos — done!" But that's a bare minimum booklet. You don't want the minimum — you want something memorable. Here are the things that make a conference booklet worth keeping:
A schedule that's more than a schedule
Attendees need to know where to go and when, but you can go well beyond that to include things like:
- Summaries of each section
- Key takeaways or learning goals
- Icons or symbols for "Beginner," "Advanced," "Workshop," "Keynote," etc.
- Add space beside each section for notes
People are much more likely to keep what they write in. Give them a reason to interact with your conference booklet.
Speaker pages that feel like magazine profiles
Short bios are the norm, but stories behind the speaker pages are unforgettable. Including things like humanizing details, reading suggestions, or QR codes that link to the speakers' websites or research can help people connect with the person, not just the name.
A map that's actually helpful (because most aren't)
Why is it a universal fact that conference maps are awful? Make yours the exception by including things like visual wayfinding cues (icons for restrooms, elevators, cafés), accessibility notes, and a one-page "If you're lost, go here" type of orientation key.
Intentional reflection space
Include plenty of space for people to turn your booklet into their own personal development tool. You can include short prompts like "What did I take away from this?" "What to implement this week," or "People to follow up with." These can be blank or lightly ruled pages designed specifically for note taking.
A networking section that feels made for relationships
Attendee lists are tricky (for privacy reasons), but you can still craft a valuable networking section. For example, you could include pages dedicated to "People I met," and space to jot down notes like "Met during lunch" or "Promised to send follow-up." Also include a page with organizers' direct contact information. This way, attendees can continue to build relationships long after the event itself ends.
Sponsor pages that don't look like ads
The vast majority of sponsor pages are just boring pages of logos splattered all over the place. Instead, consider a "Recommended for You" section that pairs sponsors with what attendees need. You can even include sponsor-authored "micro tips" of around 50 – 100 words. This turns sponsor pages into usable content — and your sponsors will love it.
A resource section that goes beyond the event itself
This is by far the most valuable, but also the most often forgotten part of a conference booklet. A resource section can include a wide number of things, such as:
- A curated reading list for more information
- Links to slides or downloadable versions of workshops
- Industry frameworks or templates
- Recommended tools
- Links to register for future events
- A one-page "Here's what to do next" roadmap
Design your conference booklet like you mean for people to keep it
Don't let your conference booklet end up in the catacombs of someone's tote bag. Great conference booklets work like guidebooks, feel like magazines, and work like one's personal notebook. If you give your attendees something that's useful, beautiful, and worth writing in, they'll keep it.
The last thing you want is for your conference booklet to give the impression of "we exported this 10 minutes before we sent it to print." You also don't want it to look like a low-budget afterthought. That's why it pays to choose a printer that understands conferences, associations, and the printing makes the presentation.
For sharpness, paper weight, color accuracy, binding durability, and an overall professional feel, there's no better printing partner for your conference booklet than OnPress Book Printing. At OnPress, we specialize in polished, premium-grade booklets that look and feel like valuable keepsakes.
Our best-in-class printing process supports:
- A variety of trim sizes
- Heavier, high-quality paper
- Premium matte or gloss finishes
- Ultra-clean color reproduction
- Large or small print runs
- Fast turnaround if you need it to look great, quickly
Top-grade printed conference booklets elevate your event and become the thing that attendees flip through weeks later, recalling who they met, what they learned, and why they went to the event in the first place.
Getting started with OnPress Book Printing
To get started with what will become a truly outstanding conference booklet, download OnPress' free prepress essentials guide. In this guide, we walk you through the process of making sure your files help us deliver the best quality possible. From trim size and bleed to margins, embedded fonts and high-resolution images, we walk you through the entire process, no prior printing experience necessary.
Whether you need a dozen conference booklets or hundreds, you can feel confident that OnPress is dedicated to getting polished, professional-grade booklets in your hands with zero sacrifice in quality or turnaround time. Get started today with a free quote on conference booklet printing on our website — no waiting and nothing to download!
TL;DR
Most conference booklets are forgettable because they only cover the basics. To create one attendees will actually keep, you need to design it with intention and lasting value in mind. Go beyond the standard schedule by adding summaries, key takeaways, and space for personal notes. Make speaker pages feel like magazine profiles with human details and helpful links. Include a map that is genuinely useful, along with reflection prompts, networking pages, and sponsor sections that offer real tips instead of plain logos. A strong resource section can turn the booklet into something attendees revisit long after the event. High quality printing also matters because the feel of the booklet influences how it is perceived. OnPress Book Printing helps organizers create polished, durable booklets that look professional and feel worth keeping.