Guidelines for Posters
Historically,
the poster exhibition and reception has been the most well-attended
session at the conference! The following guidelines are provided to assist
in your poster preparations. We ask that all poster presenters follow
these guidelines and invite any questions that you may have.
Setup: Poster presentations are held in the Main Ballroom on Wednesday Evening, October 16, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm during that evening’s reception. You may set up your poster any time between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm that day. Go to the Ballroom and volunteers will be there to assist you.
Size and Shape: At Evaluation 2013, all posters are displayed on a floor standing fabric-covered bulletin board with 2 presentations per side. The poster presentation boards are 8 feet WIDE by 4 feet HIGH and, allowing for the frame, each presenter will have 44" x 44" for his or her display.
What to Bring: You should bring the printed content (more information below), but you DO NOT need to bring the poster board itself or pins for attaching your poster components. AEA will supply the poster board and plenty of pins. We strongly recommend that you bring at least 50 copies of a one-page handout about your work to distribute to those interested in what you are doing and to provide an email or eLibrary reference information to learn more and/or access the full presentation content. You can upload your poster presentation content into the AEA eLibrary and refer people to the eLibrary to download the details.
Insider tip: If you have business cards, this is a
great opportunity to distribute them as well.
Composition:
Poster presentations should be visually appealing. Your poster should be:
- Readable
from at least six feet away and the smallest type should be
approximately 24 pt with headings in 48 point or larger. Do not post
pages of a written paper (make them available for distribution via the
eLibary),
instead focus on the key elements. Don't forget to include a title as
well as the names and affiliations of authors.
Insider Tip: Not
sure if your elements are readable? Pin one to a wall and back
away three strides. Can you read the headlines and subheaders
enough to be drawn in to read more?
- Understandable, focusing on the 'big picture' points and with a minimum of jargon. Past 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.
- Logically
organized into sections with text and graphics that flow
from one part to the next. One way to maintain organization is through
the use of color, thus using the same color backing behind items in
each section.
- To
the point with elements that highlight your work. You have
a brief period of time to catch attendees' attention as they stroll
past. It is better to emphasize the most important components of your
work in a clear and visually appealing way than to make a cluttered
presentation. Those who share your interests will stop and learn more
from you directly or from your handouts.
-
What to Expect During the Exhibition: During the exhibition, you should remain at your poster, ready to discuss your work. Individual attendees browse among the posters throughout the event and chat with those presenting work of interest to them. If you get caught up in conversation with someone, try to be aware of, and welcome, others who may approach your poster and have questions about your work.
Insider tip: Some people are more shy than others and may walk by and just pick up your
handouts or card. A friendly "Welcome" or "Please don't
hesitate to ask any questions" on your part can serve as a great
icebreaker.
Computers: You may not use a computer as part of your display. There is not flat space and no electricity - all posters are on standing boards.
Poster
Competition: There will be a prize for the best poster
presentations. A panel of judges will review posters based on content AND
presentation. Winners will receive $50, a ticket to the Friday awards
luncheon, plus a small surprise!
Questions:
If you have any questions about presenting a poster at Evaluation 2013,
please do not hesitate to contact the AEA office at
info@eval.org or 1-508-748-3326.