Platform Preparation Instructions

As for all scientific sessions except Plenary Lectures, the Platform Sessions will be concurrent with other sessions. It is important that you strictly adhere to the times outlined in the program. We have allotted 12 minutes for each presentation, 2 minutes for questions and 1 minute to switch between speakers (total, 15 minutes)

Equipment for Platform Talks

Computer equipment will be available for Power Point presentations, necessitating that you pre-load your presentation onto the computer in the room prior to your presentation. Files need to be in a PC-compatible format that allows them to be run on a PC platform, using PowerPoint 2003. If you will be using your personal Macintosh laptop, please bring the necessary cables to connect to the projection equipment. We recommend that you also bring your presentation file pre-loaded on either a flash drive, thumb drive and/or a CD for transfer of the presentation prior to the session. As a back-up, several days before the meeting starts, you may also want to send your file to the session chairs as an e-mail attachment.

Presentation Guidelines for Platform Talks

Please keep the following in mind when planning your presentation:

1. It is important that you practice your presentation several times prior to delivering it in your session, with emphasis on speaking loudly and clearly.
2. A general rule of thumb is that you allow one minute per slide. We recommend that you limit the number of slides to a maximum of 12 with 10 being preferable.
3. Power Point software affords the danger of overloading each slide with too much information, which will actually detract from the major points on a slide.
4. An exemplary presentation includes at least one introductory slide and a summary slide stating the key conclusions. It is also helpful to the audience when you use informative titles on each slide.