What is a flash session? Flash sessions mix a short oral presentation with a poster presentation. Like the typical poster sessions, you will create and print a poster that will be mounted on poster boards around the flash session rooms. Below are instructions for presenting in a flash session at PAA.
Pre-Conference Tips
Prior to the conference, we suggest the following:
Please note the amount of time allocated to your presentation. Flash sessions include five-minute, five-slide oral presentations (specifics may vary a bit according to the instructions of your Chair, who should contact you a few weeks prior to the conference). Your brief presentation and set of five slides should communicate:
- The title of your presentation and your name, affiliation, and email address.
- Your research question(s).
- The significance/rationale for your work.
- A brief overview of data/methods.
- Key findings.
There's no need for details because they will be available in your poster.
Plan Your Presentation
A good poster presentation provides a clear and succinct overview of your research. The following are a few tips in planning your poster:
- Poster boards are 8 feet wide by 4 feet high, however, there is no exact size requirement.
- Limit the number of slides that comprise your presentation; a set of 12-15 slides is a good guideline for poster content. Here is an example of an award-winning poster Prostate_Poster_Final.pdf
- Please do not include large tables in your slides. Summarize your key results rather than presenting large, dense tables.
- Try to avoid the use of acronyms, jargon, and abbreviations. Past conference evaluations have clearly indicated that one frustration, in particular for new and international attendees, is the use of ‘insider’ language, acronyms, and abbreviations that make it difficult to comprehend a presentation.
- Consider livening up your slides/poster with graphics and pictures. Graphics can be very effective in capturing the audience’s attention and focusing them on the point you want to make.
- Please proof read and spell check.
- Email your slides: Please email your slides to the session chair in advance of the session in case there are any difficulties with screen sharing.
Presentation Checklist
At the session, please:
- Arrive early. Please arrive at the session 10 minutes early and connect with the other presenters and session chair so that the session may start on time.
- Give your presentation. You are ready!
- End on time. You will be warned by the chair as your time draws to a close (typically 2 minutes and stop). It is essential that you end on time to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to present their work.