Testimonials for The Conference Runner
"I highly recommend Kat for any professional conference organisation opportunity. She has a wealth of experience, a proven track record and an ability to execute successful events with attention to detail and strategic thinking.
Kat has allowed ISBNPA to focus on the scientific components of our annual meeting conference since 2016 up to 2022, including the two tough years of the pandemic, where we had to create a new conference structure.
Working together was always a very efficient process producing high-quality results."
Working together was always a very efficient process producing high-quality results."
Antonio L. Palmeira
International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA)
"I was chairing a major international conference which Kat helped to organise: 800 participants from 40 countries, 14 parallel symposia.
Kat was responsible for logistics related to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, other Melbourne/Australia based suppliers and activity providers: sourcing and managing local suppliers, on-site logistics, social events ranging from small dinners to the banquet, managing MCEC relationships starting from the floorplans and F&B through to the post conference finalising invoices.
She was also the relation for key speakers. Looking back, the event, which initially seemed a formidable undertaking, went without a glitch, and was an enjoyable and cruising through experience. Thank you Kat!"
Alex Babanin
University of Melbourne
"It's with great enthusiasm that I recommend Kat Duda [The Conference Runner], for her exceptional expertise in managing scientific conferences and associations. .What truly sets Ms. Duda apart is her unwavering dedication to ensuring the satisfaction of all stakeholders involved. She is not only highly knowledgeable in her field but also a pleasure to collaborate with. .
Her approachable demeanor and proactive communication style foster a collaborative environment, ensuring that the staff and volunteers are equipped with the necessary information and resources to excel in their roles during each of our events..
Her exceptional skills, dedication, and positive attitude will undoubtedly contribute to the success and excellence of any event she undertakes."
Her exceptional skills, dedication, and positive attitude will undoubtedly contribute to the success and excellence of any event she undertakes."
Danielle Rojas
ASME, Manager - Conferences and Events
"The Conference Runner is an excellent PCO who meticulously caters for the specific needs of the client, in our case we were an International Society with over 1000 members. Kat from The Conference Runner consistently delivers to the highest quality and instills unwavering confidence in her ability to get things done."
Erica Hinckson PhD,
Auckland University of Technology
“After working closely with Kat Duda (The Conference Runner) over 10 years organising two consecutive international scientific conferences on opposite sides of the world I can, without hesitation, recommend her as an outstanding, very experienced and highly professional conference organiser. .
Kat gets to know her client and their industry and business, along with the vision of their unique conference. Then, with passion and a great deal of careful, thoughtful and creative work as well as attention to detail, she delivers an exceptional conference.
Each conference is as important to Kat as it is to the Organising Committee. She is proactive, always looking for opportunities and ideas to make the conference better, above and beyond expectations, and is great at managing challenges and last-minute problem solving.
In addition, and importantly, she is first-rate at developing budgets and managing conference finances. Finally, she is a pleasure to work with. We had fun!”
Barbara Scott Smith
Main Committee Organiser of the 11th and 12th International Kimberlite Conferences (2017 Gaborone, Botswana; 2024 Yellowknife, Canada
"I have worked with Kat Duda on two major conferences, namely the 11th and 12th International Kimberlite Conferences, which were held in Gaborone, Botswana in 2017 (11 IKC), and Yellowknife, Canada in 2024 (12 IKC). .
For 12 IKC I served as Chair of the Fundraising Committee, and I was also a member of the Executive Committee. .
The budget for 12 IKC exceeded one million Canadian dollars, with approximately three hundred delegates attending from all corners of the globe. International Kimberlite Conferences are complex to organize involving technical sessions with oral and poster presentations, interactive technical seminars, pre- and post-conference field trips, unique social events, and a program for accompanying guests. .
As can be imagined, these conferences require a sophisticated degree of planning together with precise execution to be successful, and both 11 IKC and 12 IKC were hailed by delegates to be exceptional events!.
The Conference Runner was contracted to run 12 IKC and Kat could not have done a better job. .
The conference ran smoothly, and by all accounts was an outstanding success. As a member of the Conference Executive, I worked very closely with Kat daily and accompanied her on a one-week site visit to Yellowknife three months ahead of the conference in order to coordinate the final logistical arrangements. .
I witnessed first-hand how The Conference Runner operates with an unsurpassed level of dedication and professionalism. Kat works tirelessly with positive energy and shows exceptional attention to detail. She is calm and cool under pressure and has a talent for solving the inevitable problems when they arise. In short, she does what it takes to get the job done right! In summary, I recommend Kat and The Conference Runner without reservation."
For 12 IKC I served as Chair of the Fundraising Committee, and I was also a member of the Executive Committee. .
The budget for 12 IKC exceeded one million Canadian dollars, with approximately three hundred delegates attending from all corners of the globe. International Kimberlite Conferences are complex to organize involving technical sessions with oral and poster presentations, interactive technical seminars, pre- and post-conference field trips, unique social events, and a program for accompanying guests. .
As can be imagined, these conferences require a sophisticated degree of planning together with precise execution to be successful, and both 11 IKC and 12 IKC were hailed by delegates to be exceptional events!.
The Conference Runner was contracted to run 12 IKC and Kat could not have done a better job. .
The conference ran smoothly, and by all accounts was an outstanding success. As a member of the Conference Executive, I worked very closely with Kat daily and accompanied her on a one-week site visit to Yellowknife three months ahead of the conference in order to coordinate the final logistical arrangements. .
I witnessed first-hand how The Conference Runner operates with an unsurpassed level of dedication and professionalism. Kat works tirelessly with positive energy and shows exceptional attention to detail. She is calm and cool under pressure and has a talent for solving the inevitable problems when they arise. In short, she does what it takes to get the job done right! In summary, I recommend Kat and The Conference Runner without reservation."
Rory Moore
Executive Committee Member 11 IKC, 2017 and 12 IKC, 2024
“There are few conference planners that can compare to The Conference Runner excellence at conference planning. A pleasure to work with, and their events run flawless because of her great attention to detail. As an AV vendor, they makes us look good because the events are so well organized.
Jay Holloway
Peak AV
"Speaking from first-hand experience, Kat is a highly professional conference planner who diligently prepares conferences planning for all potential outcomes. I worked with her for 12 months in the preparation of a large international conference and was highly impressed. The conference ran smoothly despite all the external disruptions that try to derail the process. Able to work long hours when it matters the most. Thoroughly recommended!"
Hayden Marcollo
Co-Chair ASME OMAE 2023 Conference AMOG Consulting