Are there any tips to help presenters prepare?

Session formats can be a traditional lecture, panel discussions, small group interactions, or even a role play.  The following suggestions will increase the effectiveness of your session. 

Participant Focus
Find out who is in your audience. Poll participants for their experience level and background so that you can tailor the presentation to fit their needs.

If a question is raised during the presentation that requires backtracking and explanation time, make sure that this is of value to most of the audience.  Otherwise ask the person raising the question to see you after the session.

Presentation Development

• When appropriate, provide results in your presentation.  Information that has been verified through field testing is always more valuable to participants.
  
• Be sure you are accomplishing your stated goals and objectives, as developed for the conference program.  Decide if this session is at the fundamental, intermediate, or advanced level.

Timelines

• Develop workshop timelines with your co-presenters.  Include the time allotted to each presenter, introductions, and a total time of thirty minutes for discussion and question and answer.  Develop your presentation to fit.  Be realistic -- 50 slides cannot be presented in 10 minutes!
  
• Share time appropriately with other presenters.
  
• Save time for participants to ask questions and interact with presenters. The information being presented is only valuable when it is understood and usable to participants