Call for Conference Chairs - 2026

The annual SALTISE conference depends on generous chair volunteers just like you to ensure its success.

General Guidelines for Chairs

1. Arrive 10 -15 mins before the session to welcome the speakers Introduce yourself to the speakers and inform them about the time limits. Timeframe for a session is 75 minutes.
2. Make sure there are flash cards or some way to indicate the time remaining during the session (hand signals usually suffice).
3. Ensure the room is ready (e.g., speakers have water, equipment is ready). Make sure the equipment is working and speaker’s presentations are easily available on the same computer or their personal computers work on the local system. Any issues contact support personnel at the conference.
4. Start the session on time and keep the session on track so that the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions.
5. No matter the type of session – Each presenter is asked to be attentive and respectful of the time allocation for their presentation.

Types of Sessions

Individual talks

Consists of 3 presenters – organized by common theme.
(75 mins total)

A typical format for this type of session involves:

1. Chair will introduce the presentations (2 mins)
2. Three presenters each allocated a total of 20 minutes (15 min. presentation, 3-5 min. for Q&A)
3. On occasion a discussant may be assigned to the session to discuss the overarching theme that ties the presentations together (8 mins). Each presenter is asked to be attentive and respectful of the time allocation for their presentation.

Room set-up: Room is set up with a podium for individual talks.

Presentation guidelines: Each presenter is asked to prepare a PowerPoint (or equivalent) presentation for 12 mins. Note that the best presentations are considerate of the audience (number of slides, readability of slides (font choice, size and colour), etc.). A good rule of thumb is to keep the ratio of slides to time to one slide for every two minutes—i.e., fewer slides to the time allocated.

Interactive Presentations

Individual & group demonstration and/or talk
Consists of 2 orchestrated presentations and individualized discussion. Each with 1–4 presenters (or more)
(75 mins total)

A typical format for this type of session:

1. Chair will describe the format for the session (2 mins);
2. Each of the 1–4 presenters makes a brief oral presentation or “pitch” (5-7 mins) that describes their topic (i.e., a preview of what is at their station) to the entire audience as a group;
3. This is followed by a break-out sessions (approximately 40 mins) where the audience spreads out and moves around the room in small groups to engage with the presenters for a more in-depth presentation and / or direct discussion at individual stations;
4. Depending on the topics presented
   – The session can wrap-up by a reconvening of the audience for a discussion, which can be moderated by a discussant who brings the key ideas together (15-20 mins).
   – OR the chair can ask the presenters to wrap-up their respective presentations and ask the attendees if there are any further questions.

Room set-up: Room set up with individual stations (poster boards) for each presenter.

Presentation guidelines: Each presenter should prepare: (1) a poster; or (2) an interactive demonstration set up on a lap-top computer.

Symposium

Focused examination or panel discussion
Consists of 3-5 presentations – organized around a single topic.
(75 mins total)

A typical format for this type of session:

1. A chair introduces the symposium
2. Presentations by each contributor
3. Sessions with a chair – The session concludes with the chair asking panel members to wrap up their respective presentations (any final words) and ask the audience if there are any further questions.
4. Session with a discussant – The session concludes with a discussant who expands on the topic and describes how the presentations collectively add to the field.

The time allocated to each of these components is determined by the symposium organizer. Note, that symposia can also be interactive and may consist of a panel discussion or be devoted to activities such as discussion among the presenters and discussants.

Room set-up: Room can be configured with a head table and podium.

Presentation guidelines: Determined by symposium organizer.

If you have any questions please drop us a line