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Resources – Checklist for Conference Presenters

Introduction to the Topic

Going to a conference is an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to get feedback on their research from an audience of experts and novices, alike. In addition to using this feedback to revise and expand your work, consider conferences as important venues to market yourself as a future colleague, collaborator, and/or employee. Therefore, in addition to preparing the best paper/presentation possible, consider how else you might prepare yourself to perform to the best of your ability and make the most of your conference trip. The following checklist is a great place to start.

Checklists for All Phases of Conference Attendance

Before the Conference

___  Acquire business cards from your department/program

___  Read fellow panelists abstracts/papers if they are available online

___  Be in touch with respondent/discussant about any changes you make to your paper

___  Look over the conference program and consider inviting other presenters to your talk

___  Create a dedicated reading copy of your paper if you will read it

___  Make your slide show well in advance of your trip

___  Practice your presentation! (With an audience, if possible)

___  Be sure to time your practice sessions and cut accordingly

___  Make at least one of your practice sessions a “dress rehearsal”

Traveling to the Conference

___  Never pack any essentials in your checked bags

At the Conference

___  Advertise your talk by attending others’ and telling them about yours

___  Consider using social media to promote your presentation

___  Check out the room you will be presenting in as soon as possible

___  Plan to arrive to your presentation at least 20 minutes early

___  Have back-ups of any technology (including the paper itself)

___  Bring a bottle of water with you in case there isn’t any in the room

After the Conference

___  Follow up with others you’ve met using social media and/or email

___  Consider posting your paper to a personal website

___  Update your CV to reflect your conference attendance

Developed by Elizabeth Lenaghan for the workshop Developing and Delivering Conference Papers, Panels, & Presentations.
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