IFD&TC Presentation Sessions

Innovative, challenging, topic of interest to an audience. One to four presenters given approximately 15-20 minutes (3 presenters) 10-12 minutes (4 presenters) each to present material related to the theme of the session. Following the presentations there are at least 15-20 minutes of Q&A or Q&A may be after each presentation, but use caution not to run into the time for other presenters.

• Guidelines: Presentations should be highlights of a topic/study and methods used. If a presentation involves description of a particular study, the focus of a presentation should be what others might learn from the experience, whether they are at a large or small survey shop  . Material presented should be relevant to the audience and talk about innovative ideas or a creative approach to a tried and true method. As much as possible use talking points to guide your dialogue and if material comes from a formal paper it is never read, only highlights are presented. Normally about 10-12 slides would be used for a 15 minute talk. Be sure to practice before getting up in front of your audience to feel more comfortable and to be sure you use only the allotted time.
• Visual Aids: Presentation materials such as PowerPoint slides are typically included with a presentation. PowerPoint slides or other visual aids should have very large font, easily seen from the back of a room.
• Handouts: Handouts are appreciated, but optional. Attendees appreciate it if the PowerPoint slides, several to a page are printed and given as a handout. This enables easier note-taking and eliminates trying to write down what is already on the slide. A copy of a formal paper with all authors and co-authors is also a nice handout. Attendees can refer back to the article and contact authors if more information is needed or they want permission to reference the article. At IFD&TC only presenters are listed on the program so this is also a way to give credit to all authors and co-authors.

If the program organizers are unable to find a session that is a good match for your presentation, you may be asked to give your presentation as a “lightning session”.  See below for details on the lightning session format.

IFD&TC Panel Sessions

Discussion on a particular topic that includes a panel of 3-5 experts, a facilitator/moderator and the audience. If you submit an abstract for a panel session, it is expected that you have, or will be able to recruit the panel members.  If you need help with this, you should contact a program organizer.  The facilitator may ask each panel member to be prepared to speak for 5-6 minutes (not a presentation) about their own experiences with the topic followed by general questions and discussion with the audience. Another approach might be to describe panel members’ areas of expertise to the audience and after introductions begin immediately with discussion with the audience. Either way look forward to a great exchange of information on a particular topic.

• Guidelines: Panelists should not prepare materials, slides, etc. as they might for a formal presentation. The goal of a Panel Discussion is to maximize the amount of discussion among the panelists and the audience. Be sure on your conference call to go over the list of expertise and remove as much duplication as possible. Facilitator and panelists should be ready to ask questions and keep the conversation going as needed.

IFD&TC Roundtable Sessions

A facilitated discussion on a common theme with 6-30 people participating.

• Guidelines: Facilitator should prepare topic questions in advance, and be skilled at moderating discussion, encouraging participation, and tying themes together to ensure maximum value of the session to all participants. Ask those who haven’t spoken up if they have any questions or comments. Try to be an inclusive as possible, perhaps starting by going around the table, circle or room and asking people to introduce themselves and say one thing they would like to take away from the dialogue.
• Visual Aids & Handouts: Usually visual aids or handouts are not used with a Roundtable Discussion, but should it be a nice compliment to your discussion, feel free use them.

IFD&TC Lightning Sessions

Lightning sessions will be organized with either a tech or field focus, and will include a number of 5 to 7 minute presentations.

• For Tech lightning presentations, this might involve quickly introducing a technological solution or implementation that helped any aspect of operations at your shop.
• For Field lightning presentations, it could consist of a brief methodological experiment report, or a description of a new protocol that improved some aspect of a project’s efficiency or success.

Please note, if your topic seems more appropriate for a longer presentation or a panel discussion, you may be contacted by the program team to ask you to present in one of those categories. Please include a detailed description of your topic when you submit your abstract.

These sessions will be a great opportunity for attendees to present something at the conference that would not normally qualify for a full presentation submission. Write a piece of code that improved efficiency in your shop? Design an experiment that helped reduce costs on a project? Present it here!

• Guidelines: Lightning sessions should be very brief, 5 to 7 minute presentations. Material presented should be relevant to the audience and talk about innovative ideas or a creative approach to a tried and true method.
• Visual Aids: Presentation materials such as PowerPoint slides are suggested. PowerPoint slides or other visual aids should have very large font, easily seen from the back of a room. Slides should have no more than 5-6 talking points per slides in outline form.
• Handouts: Handouts are not required.

IFD&TC Workshop or Focused Technology Sessions

A single short-course like presentation. Those submitting for workshops or focused tech sessions should check in with a program organizer about their topic, and recruit and organize 1 to 3 speakers for the one hour and fifteen minute presentation.

• Guidelines: Those who propose a Workshop or Focused Technology Session are volunteering to help design and present a hands-on training. Each session will be 1 hour and fifteen minutes long, providing an in-depth presentation and time for participants to interact or try things on their own. Sometimes this means requiring attendees bring materials or computers or install software for the session.  Previous workshops and focused tech sessions were a great success, and we encourage people to do them, though they can be a great deal of work to organize!