Session Chair Guidelines

Thank you for being a session chair. Your role as a session chair is to assist the smooth flow of your session, including ensuring that:

• The session environment is free of distractions
• The equipment for speaker support (lighting, audio-visual equipment, and microphones) is satisfactory
• The speaker talks follow the program schedule and stay on time

Operational Procedures 

1. Please familiarize yourself with the audio-visual equipment in the room and with the accompanying “Presentation Guidelines” that all authors have received.  You should plan to be in the room 15 minutes before your session and during scheduled coffee breaks to help authors who may need assistance in setting up their personal equipment.  A microphone and a laser pointer will be available. Please leave these items in the room for the next session. 
    
   
2. Consult the Session Sheet (given to you and posted outside your meeting room) for the latest program information. It is the most up-to-date program schedule.
    
   
3. At the beginning of your session, make any general announcements, including any known program changes. At the beginning of each talk, introduce the Speaker. If a presentation is by a student, please note that it is a student presentation when introducing.
    
   
4. Presentations are for a total of 20 minutes (17 minutes presentation and 3 minutes for questions.) As a courtesy to attendees and other speakers, interrupt the speaker if he/she is not finished at the end of his/her time. It is important to maintain published program times in order to maintain the alignment of parallel sessions. 
    
   
5. If you have a “no show,” do not rearrange the schedule of presentations. Use the open time slot for discussion or review. Start the next presentation at the time indicated on your session sheet.