Develop objectives that relate to audience expectations and use visuals that support the presentation and emphasize important points.

Your presentation should:

• Present data that is readily understandable.
•  Use information that is current, accurate, and objective.
•  Adequately convey ideas.
•  Keep the message on target.
•  Coordinate commentary with audiovisuals.
•  Be CLEAR and SIMPLE!

Developing the Presentation

•  Use Microsoft PowerPoint and software templates whenever possible.
•  Begin with a title slide containing the name of the presenter, company, telephone and e-mail. Identification information may also be placed on the last slide of the presentation. Slides may not contain commercial messages. Company names or logos are permitted on the title slide only.
•  Create “word slides” in a precise outline; the audience has 20 seconds to absorb the message.
•  Use a maximum of six text lines and no more than 30 characters per line on a single slide.
•  Maintain consistent graphic elements including color, font, and text size. Only standard fonts such as Arial and Times New Roman should be used, as these are compatible with the basic installation of Windows provided by AIHce. Fonts other than these should be embedded into the PowerPoint presentation.
•  Use a dark background (blue, black) and light colors (white, light blue) for text and graphics.
•  Avoid intensely bright or saturated colors such as red and yellow for text; use only as main headings.
•  Text size should be at least 24 points; headings should be no less than 36 points. Use no more than two fonts per slide. Avoid using all capital letters or underlining. Bold and italic may be used sparingly.
•  When possible, use horizontal slides which fill the screen better than vertical slides.
•  Clearly label charts and graphs and include legends; proofread, spell check and correct errors.
•  Inserting Images – Use images and graphics from digital cameras, scanners, and the Internet. In general, images that project well on a 17-inch monitor will project well in electronic presentations.
•  Mix images and text on a single frame or alternate frames; import the images as background. Images should be re-sized to approximately 800 x 600 pixels and saved as JPEG or TIF files. Images should be inserted from the slide using “the insert/picture/from file” command.
•  Embedding Audio/Video – Do not embed video. If the presentation contains video or audio, confirm that all needed files are in the SAME FOLDER as the presentation slides. If these files are not present in the folder, they will be unavailable on site. The PACK AND GO option may also be used to properly link presentation and video and audio files. Presenters using audio or video must see the AV technician in the speaker ready room well in advance of his/her session.
•  Coordinate the use of audio and video to avoid interference when presenting.
•  Direct technical questions to support@presentationmanagement.com.

Saving the Presentation

•  Save your presentation and associated files on a CD-ROM, ZIP disk, Compact Flash Card, Media Stick, Multimedia Card, SD Card or USB Thumb Drive. If you create a CD, please be certain to close your session; otherwise, you will not be able to access the CD from any computer.
•  Create a back up presentation and test the backup presentation to insure it runs properly.

Delivering the Presentation

•  Business attire is considered appropriate when presenting at AIHce.
•  Arrive 30-60 minutes prior to the start of the session, not your individual presentation, to load your slides onto the computer. Familiarize yourself with the audiovisual equipment.
•  Attach the lavaliere (neck) microphone to your jacket/shirt as instructed by the AV staff.
•  Speak in a normal voice, slowly and deliberately. Avoid slang, jargon, and acronyms. If you have difficulty remembering certain phrases or difficult pronunciations, use index cards.
•  Limit each slide to no more than one per minute and aim to finish speaking two minutes prior to the scheduled end time. If you exceed your allotted time, the session Moderator will politely terminate your presentation.
•  Above all, do not “read” your presentation.

CM Points

Technical program presenters delivering peer-reviewed papers greater than or equal to 20 minutes are awarded 1.0 point. Co-authors, listed in the AIHce 2009 Final Program, receive 0.5 CM Point.