Presenter (Talk) Information

To accommodate as many talks as possible and allow participants to switch between sessions, all oral presentations will be 15 minutes in total, including 12 minutes for the actual talk and 2-3 minutes for questions and changing speakers, regardless of the number of presentations in the session.  Each oral presentation should take place sequentially at the start of the session.  Symposia presentations may allocate time differently.   

In case of no-shows, the session chair will pause the session and allow for an extended question and answer period. The remaining talks will resume at the time(s) listed in the program. This policy ensures that attendees can rely on the times listed in the schedule and can move between sessions without fear of missing a talk.

You can find your session chair’s name in the program (Schedule-At-A-Glance). Please arrive at the assigned room at least 20 minutes before the session start time (not your talk time) to introduce yourself to the chair and the session volunteer.

All session rooms are equipped with a PC computer,  LCD projector, and microphones will be provided in the larger session rooms.

Important uploading presentation info: All speakers will also need to arrive early and bring their presentation slides on a USB flash drive (also known as a memory stick) to upload with the assistance of a volunteer in the session room computer at least 20-30 minutes prior to the session start time. (Presenters may drop off their presentation to their assigned session room computer starting on Tuesday up to 24 hours before their scheduled talks during any IMPS scheduled break times if a volunteer is available in the assigned session room.)

Notes/Reminders

• To prevent issues with PowerPoint, speakers are advised to convert their slides to PDF files with all fonts and videos embedded, for backup purposes. You may upload both the PDF and PPT versions to the session room computer, or keep the PDF on a personal flash drive to have with you during your scheduled talk for backup use only.
• University Internet (Wi-Fi) is available on-site. However, we highly recommend that any videos included in your presentation be playable without an internet connection.
• In case of no-shows, the session chair will pause the session and allow for an extended question and answer period. The remaining talks will resume at the time(s) listed in the program.

TIPS

• Practice: Practice your presentation beforehand, preferably in front of colleagues, and encourage them to ask questions. This will help you prepare for real audience queries.
• Handouts: If you plan to distribute handouts during your presentation, ensure you bring sufficient copies (at your own expense) for the attendees.
• Backup: Save a backup copy of your presentation in the cloud, in an email, or on a flash drive to avoid any last-minute issues.
• Time Management: Ensure your presentation fits within the allocated time. A good rule of thumb is to plan for at least one slide per minute. The session chair will use time cards to indicate when you are nearing the end of your allotted time.
• Clear Objective: Start with a clear goal or purpose stated at the beginning of your presentation to set the context for your audience.
• Complex Information: When using equations or symbols, explain them clearly and limit the number of formulas to avoid overwhelming your audience.
• Slide Design: Aim for minimal text on slides to keep them clear and engaging. Avoid overloading slides with technical details.
• Expertise: As the subject expert, ensure you explain your topic clearly to the audience.
• Conclusion: End with a concluding slide that includes your contact information, allowing attendees to reach out with further questions after your presentation.