symposium
Scholarly discussion meeting
A symposium is a formal meeting or conference where experts present papers and discuss a particular subject.
Unlike casual gatherings, symposiums typically feature prepared presentations followed by questions and debate among specialists in a field.
The word originally referred to a drinking party in ancient Greece where philosophical conversation flowed alongside the wine.
Today it retains its association with intellectual exchange, though the drinking is usually confined to the reception afterward.
Academic discussion meeting
- seminarGroup discussion for learning
- lectureEducational spoken presentation
- conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion
- presentationFormal display to viewers
keynote · panel · paper · proceedings · abstract · publication · journal · thesis
Formal celebratory meal
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- libationsRitual drink offerings
- PlatoGreek philosopher, academy founder
- SocratesAncient Athenian questioning philosopher
reclining · wine · dialogue · philosophy · discourse · Greek · Athenian · couches
Exchange of ideas
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- debateFormal argument on issues
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
forum · panel · roundtable · deliberation · consultation · interchange · colloquy · ideas
Organized meeting for discussion
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- forumGathering place for discourse
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
industry · practitioners · experts · attendees · registration · venue · agenda · sessions
Festive formal occasion
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- banquetFormal celebratory meal
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
gathering · dinner · toast · entertainment · socializing · networking · cocktails · formal
colloquium
Academic discussion meeting
- seminarGroup discussion for learning
- lectureEducational spoken presentation
- conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion
presentation · keynote · panel · paper · proceedings · abstract · publication · journal · thesis · dissertation
banquet
Formal celebratory meal
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- libationsRitual drink offerings
- PlatoGreek philosopher, academy founder
Socrates · reclining · wine · dialogue · philosophy · discourse · Greek · Athenian · couches · entertainment
discussion
Exchange of ideas
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- debateFormal argument on issues
conversation · forum · panel · roundtable · deliberation · consultation · interchange · colloquy · ideas · perspectives
conference
Organized meeting for discussion
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- forumGathering place for discourse
networking · industry · practitioners · experts · attendees · registration · venue · agenda · sessions · breakout
gala
Festive formal occasion
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- banquetFormal celebratory meal
- receptionAct of receiving guests
soirée · gathering · dinner · toast · entertainment · socializing · networking · cocktails · formal · evening
- eventsevent, events, party, parties, wedding
- gatheringsgathering, gatherings, parties, party, reunion
- ancient worldancient Greece, ancient Rome, ancient Egypt, pyramids, pyramid
- academic activitiesdebate, discussion, lecture, seminar, thesis
- conferencesconference, conferences, keynote, forums, seminar
- discussionsdiscussion, discussions, forum, talks, roundtable
symposiumcasual chat
chitchat · small talk · bull session · water cooler talk · shooting the breeze
symposiumparty
Gathering for celebration
cocktail party · kegger · rave · entertainment · tailgate