Session Chair Info

Session Chair Information

In this Section

On behalf of the Joint Technical Program Committee for the GSA Connects 2021 meeting, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your agreeing to serve as a session chairperson for the upcoming meeting. The success of the technical program relies to a large degree on efforts such as yours. To help prepare for your session, please take the time to read our Session Chair Guidelines and watch the Session Chair Training Video posted below. These resources provide important information to guide you in running a successful technical session.

Guidelines for Success

Training Video

Highlights from Video Training

  • START AND END ALL PRESENTATIONS ON TIME, KEEPING THE ENTIRE SESSION ON TIME. Prior to start of session, meet the student volunteer assigned to your session.
  • Announce at the beginning of the session that each paper will be finished in time to allow for adequate discussion. If the speaker has not finished on schedule, we expect you to end the presentation so that the paper may be discussed. If time allows, encourage discussion after each paper. Please be prepared to ask questions of the speaker if there are no questions from the audience. If a speaker fails to appear, do not pass to the next paper. Instead, call for a break or discussion until the scheduled time for the following presentation.
  • Repeat questions from audience. Make sure the presenter speaks into the microphone.

Additional Information

We encourage you to attend a Session Chair Orientation provided on-site for all session chairs. These sessions are designed to assist session chairs with tips and to answer all questions in order to ensure their sessions are successful. It would be helpful to have at least one chairperson from every session attend an Orientation Session.

During each orientation, instruction will be provided on:

  • Speaker timer (D’san Limitimer)
  • Projector operation
  • Laptop/LCD projector operation
  • Light, sound, and temperature control
  • No-show speakers
  • Use of student volunteers
  • Chairperson Attendance Form
Session Chair Orientation Hours
Oregon Convention Center, Room C125/C126
Saturday 9 Oct. 3–4 p.m.
Sunday–Tuesday 10–12 Oct. 12:15–1:15 p.m.

Please also watch these short training videos prior to coming to Portland:

Watch

Session Equipment Tutorial
[ 6:07 ]
Watch

Podium Software Tutorial
[ 2:07 ]

Please check the Technical Program Schedule to view presentation titles and times of your session.

In Case of Emergency

Dial 911 for all life-threatening emergencies.

In case of non-life threatening emergencies:

GSA Connects Meeting Office Student Volunteer Office Speaker Ready Room
Room C120/C121 Room B117/B118 Room C125/C126
Oregon Convention Center