Presentation Types

NaTMEC offers several formats in which to present research, best practices, and tools. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and all offer an opportunity to share ideas and knowledge with the audience. While lightning talks may be integrated with other sessions (typically lectern sessions), the other three presentation types normally stand alone in their own session - lectern, poster, and the new demonstration session.

Poster

Poster sessions provide more focused information to a smaller group. The poster provides all of the information, and the speaker can provide detail about the contents and answer questions. This more intimate setting provides the greatest opportunity to network of all the presentation options.

Advantages:

  • Networking opportunity

  • Focused presentation on a topic

  • Posters can be re-used at multiple conferences and meetings

  • Audience engagement remains high as the audience will primarily be those with great interest in the topic

Disadvantages:

  • Less formal setting

  • People moving about may not stop and discuss the topic at hand

Lectern

The more traditional lectern sessions tend to be longer and more formal in nature. Typically, the speaker presents from behind a lectern much like a professor in a classroom.

Advantages:

  • Presentation can be more thorough

  • Lectern provides a place for notes, computer, etc.

  • More traditional and therefore comfortable to many presenters

  • Larger audience that typically remains seated for the entire session

Disadvantages:

  • Presenters are hidden from the audience behind a lectern

  • Audience may disconnect over time when presentations become too lengthy or is not something of high interest

  • Less opportunity to connect to the individual audience members in the more structured environment

Lightning Talk

Although included in lecterns, lightning talks are shorter (typically 5-6 minutes). The time allotted is less than a typical lectern, as they are often more engaging because the content is often more compacted and focused.

Advantages:

  • New speakers or those who shy away from speaking may find this format easier

  • Larger audience, as it is contained within the lectern setting

  • Audience typically remains engaged over time

Disadvantages:

  • Less time to present a body of work

  • Presenter may need to reduce the content to fit the format

Software and data Demonstration (NEW)

This format provides each presenter with an opportunity to show something tangible. Each presenter will be stationed throughout the room, and then each is provided at the start with 60 seconds to give an elevator pitch on what they will be presenting. Demonstrations will be given 8-12 minutes to present. Attendees can then rotate after each demonstration increment to another station.

NOTE: this is not intended as a commercial software showcase; there will be other opportunities for vendors to showcase their commercial products. And anyone who wishes to participate in the demo should make sure they can exhibit their software, tool, or data in the time allotted.

Advantages:

  • Highly interactive

  • Potential hands-on activities

  • Focused audience

  • Engaging

  • Networking opportunity

Disadvantages:

  • Shorter timeframe may limit content

  • May not have time to answer all of the questions that arise