ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the concept of the primary task and a theory of organization based on open-system theory. Events in the conference are designed to allow members to become more aware of, and learn how to deal with, these latent aspects. Conferences have many imports: members who come from different jobs in different enterprises; staff from a variety of institutions; equipment; housing; food and drink. The basic model that is used to design the organization of the conference is an import-conversion-export model derived from open-system theory. The problem of conference design is to achieve this integration, and at the same time provide opportunity to experience and study any conflicts between the primary tasks of the parts and of the whole. The staff design the programme and set a pattern of behaviour, and by the programme and their own behaviour create an institution that gives protection to the members to experiment.
