Tips on Chairing or Managing a Session or Panel at a Scientific Meeting. (snippet)

For a typical 15 minute scientific presentation that one is chairing

• chair should attempt to be invisible
• at least 30 minutes is needed to test computer panel projection before start of meeting. Longer if presenters are not very comfortable with equipment.
• prepare at least 6"x6" 3 minute and 1 minute alert cards with bold black numbers.
• meet speakers beforehand. Confirm name, institution, pronunciations, title of talk. Orient speakers to timing procedures.
• sit next to podium. At 12 minutes and 14 minutes place alert cards in visual field of speaker when they are likely to sense the motion.
• omit titles when introducing presenters (controversial?). Introductions consist of speaker name, institution, and title of presentation.
• have extra empty water glasses at hand to pass to speakers who become hoarse
• lead applause after presentation and before Q&A period
• have speakers manage question and answer period (5 minutes) and rise at the 4 minute point to introduce next speaker. Ask speaker to repeat question, but most will not.
• have next speaker prepare AV material during prior speaker's Q&A time (disruptive, but necessary with computer panel setups). Speakers do not get make-up time for technical glitches.
• after completion of all presentations the remaining time may be used for questions to any speaker. Do not allow last speaker to assume this question period.
• thank speakers as a group to audience, and individually after presentation
• invite audience to come speak with speakers after presentation

Descriptors
Confidence (1 to 3): 1. Date Created: 5/31/97. Last Revised: 6/11/97. Expires: . Language: english. Domain: .world. ID: 9. Topic: education SciTech. Subtopic: organization. Keywords: education; conference; chair; session; presentation.