Intended to provide the guidance needed for consistent and viable annual conference planning, this manual explains how to organize and plan for a successful and profitable conference, how to determine the responsibilities and duties of conference planners and coordinators, and how to plan for specific conference events. The responsibilities of a conference Board of Directors, and general policies on such issues as budgeting, programming, and registration, are discussed. The roles of the various committees, chairpersons, and coordinators involved in mounting a conference are outlined, including those concerned with programming, registration, exhibits, advertising, hospitality, and facilities and equipment. A conference planning flowchart, a detailed annual conference planning calendar, and a bibliography on conference planning accompany the text. Among the ten appendices to the manual are a sample conference evaluation instrument, a sample exhibit contract, an equipment and space needs form, a conference site checklist, and a conference survey instrument. (JL)