If a conference were a piece of music, it would be a symphony. 

Most of the hard work is done in composing and rehearsing. Nerves are increasingly on edge as the opening night approaches. It opens with the percussion instruments setting the pace, before the rest of the orchestra comes in to create the ambiance and each section must work in harmony to build to the crescendo. The soloists eventually make it special – or not. 

In conferences, as with symphonies, the main actors know if they are prepared when the curtain is raised, but the final note that lingers is a subtle mix of emotion, expression and a sense of togetherness with the people in the same room.