Information for Michigan IT Symposium Presenters

2022 Michigan IT Symposium - Helping to shape the future of learning, research & care - November 16 & 17, 2022

Congratulations on being accepted as a poster or breakout session presenter.

The information on this page will answer your questions and provide guidance as you prepare your material for this event. As you plan and design your materials for the symposium, please consider your audience and your intended communication objectives for your poster and video or breakout session presentation. Reach out with questions to [email protected].

General FAQ for All Presenters

When is the Michigan IT Symposium?

  • The 2022 Michigan IT Symposium will be a hybrid event and takes place November 16 – 17. The symposium kicks off at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16 as a half-day, all-virtual event. It will start off with a Leadership presentation, and a Keynote address followed by a virtual poster session that will take place from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Day two (Thursday, November 17) is a full-day, in-person event with the option to attend virtually (a.k.a. hybrid) with all in-person events taking place in select rooms of the Michigan League on the Ann Arbor campus. There will be 20+ Spotlight and breakout sessions to choose to attend beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running until 4:30 p.m.

Do I need to register for the event?

  • Yes! If you plan to attend any part of the event, including the portion you are presenting, we ask that you please register on the 2022 Michigan IT Symposium event website on the Fourwaves platform.

I have a question not answered here. Who should I contact?

FAQ for Poster Presentations

All poster presenters are encouraged to review the Tips for Poster Presenters.

When do my poster and 1-2 minute overview video need to be turned in?

  • Your poster and the 1-2 minute overview video that supports it are due to the event committee by Wednesday, October 26. PDFs of posters are the preferred file type for the Symposium. Fourwaves does accept JPG and PNG files as well, all of which are available Download options from Google Slides or Export options from PowerPoint. Video files should be saved as MP4 files. All accepted posters and videos will be published in advance of the Symposium. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch your video, read abstracts, view posters at a larger size, leave comments or pose a question that poster presenters can respond to.

Is there a poster template I should use when designing my poster?

  • All poster presenters should use the 2021 Michigan IT Symposium poster template (Google Slides or PowerPoint). This year’s poster template has been designed in the same successful format used for previous Michigan IT Symposium. The simplified structure of the design promotes clearer communication of concepts to multiple viewers and encourages discussion and interaction. The overwhelmingly positive reaction to the new, simplified format supported the research and insight discussed in scientific and academic forums around the country.

What is the purpose of providing an overview video for my poster presentation?

  • The 1-2 minute overview video is meant to complement your poster by providing a quick explanation of what the poster is all about. The goal of the video is to engage your viewer and not simply read your abstract. Your abstract will be posted with your poster. Your video should add interest to your poster when they are viewed online outside of the poster sessions and save time during the poster session so presenters will not have to repeat themselves multiple times every time someone new enters their room.

How do I create an overview video?

  • The beauty of creating your own video to complement your poster is that you have everything you need with your laptop and Zoom. It is relatively easy to create a Zoom meeting and record yourself to get what you need in a few steps.

Can I get someone to review my poster concept and provide feedback?

  • Yes. Poster presenters are invited to email a DRAFT of their poster by Tuesday, October 18. Send an email to [email protected] with “For Review: Draft ” in the subject with a link to your draft poster.

Do I have to print my own poster?

  • No. Due to this year’s virtual and hybrid format of this year’s Symposium posters will not be printed. (Just think of the trees we will be saving.) Posters will be presented online on the Fourwave platform. Our goal is to draw attention to the posters and promote social interaction with them. We will also project posters in the new Poster Flash Talk breakout sessions on day two of this year’s event. Even though the poster will be viewed virtually, we need the posters to be designed at “normal” size, using the existing regular size template. This will provide the planning committee the flexibility they need to represent your poster at various sizes on the 2022 Symposium website and allow your poster to be downloaded if desired as has been the case in years past.

What time are the virtual poster session and new Poster Flash Talk sessions?

  • Virtual Poster Session - Wednesday, November 16: The virtual poster session will take place from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. following the Leadership presentation and Keynote address on day one of the Symposium. As a presenter, you will have a room in the Fourwaves platform to welcome attendees to discuss your poster. Detailed information will be shared about this in the coming weeks.
  • Hybrid Poster Flash Talk Breakout Session - Thursday, November 17: Poster presenters can choose to participate in a NEW Poster Flash Talk breakout session, where up to four posters will be presented, for 10 minutes each, sharing highlights of their posters and answering questions from the audience. This gives everyone another chance to discover the collaborative work happening across U-M. These sessions will be listed individually on the final event schedule once it is finalized.

Can more than one person present a poster?

  • Yes. Virtual sessions allow more than one presenter in your poster session if you wish. Keep in mind that attendees will be free to come and go to and from your poster session room. Having too many presenters may overwhelm someone as individuals enter a room to learn about your topic. If you plan to have more than one presenter in your session, think through how you will greet new people that enter your room and who will talk about different aspects of your poster.

Submit FINAL Poster and Video for 2022 Michigan IT Symposium

Please read before submitting your poster and overview video.

  • Poster presenters must proofread their posters carefully before submitting their final poster. The Michigan IT Symposium planning committee will not review or correct spelling or grammar errors.
  • Save your poster in a proper format. PDFs of posters are the preferred file type for the Symposium. Fourwaves does accept JPG and PNG files as well, all of which are available Download options from Google Slides or Export options from PowerPoint.
  • Save your 1-2 minute video file as an MP4. File size must be 250MB or less.
  • Name your files “Primary contacts last name plus a recognizable abbreviation of your poster title.”
  • Submit your poster and video, in the proper file formats, through your poster submission page, found in your profile menu on the 2022 Michigan IT Symposium event site in Fourwaves. You will need to log in to the event site to do so.

FAQ for Breakout Session Presentations

All presenters are encouraged to take time to review the 2022 Breakout Session Presentation Guide and Tips for Presenters.

When does my presentation need to be ready?

  • Final presentations are due by Thursday, November 10. Presenters are encouraged to email a draft of their presentation to [email protected] before Friday, October 28 if they would like feedback on their poster from the planning committee.

Is there a presentation template I should use for this event?

  • Presentation slide templates have been created for you to use for your presentation. (Google Slide template / Powerpoint template) Save a copy of the template for your presentation. Note: There are two options for title slides to choose from.

Can I get someone to review my presentation and provide feedback?

  • Yes. If you would like feedback on their presentation you are encouraged to email a draft presentation to [email protected], with “For Review: Draft ” in the subject with a link to your draft presentation.
  • Please also describe the style in which you will be presenting (lecture, discussion, interactive, brainstorming/sandbox, etc.). Draft presentations will be reviewed by Michigan IT Symposium planning committee members. If you want to request feedback please send a draft to the symposium team no later than Friday, October 28 to allow adequate time for us to review and you to revise your presentation.

What time is my session scheduled?

  • The event committee will contact you in mid-October with the time of your session.

Will I have broadcast and AV support available for my virtual presentation?

  • Yes. Our goal is for you to focus on your topic and content so you can be as engaged as possible with your audience in a hybrid environment. The Michigan IT Symposium planning committee will provide each presenter with a team in your assigned room at the Michigan League that includes a room monitor, two audio/visual technology support people, and a moderator for online questions and chat. The virtual aspect of your presentation will take place in a new, interactive format using the Fourwaves platform and will incorporate Zoom videoconferencing. Look for more instruction from the planning committee in the weeks leading up to the Symposium.

What time should I plan to “arrive” (to log in to my session) to set up?

  • Timing is of the essence during the 2022 Michigan IT Symposium. All presenters should arrive in their assigned rooms in the Michigan League 10-15 minutes prior to the start of their breakout session. This will give just enough time for the support team to work with you to make sure the technology works and get a feel for how the session will go. Advanced preparation does wonders for presentation jitters. Look for more instruction from the planning committee in the weeks leading up to the Symposium.

Will I be recorded?

  • Yes. All breakout sessions will be recorded for posting on the symposium website following the event. If your presentation contains sensitive data or information please email [email protected].

Submit FINAL Presentation for the 2022 Michigan IT Symposium

Please read before submitting your Presentation or Session Materials

  • All presenters must proofread their content carefully before submitting their final presentation. The Michigan IT Symposium planning committee will not review or correct for spelling or grammar errors.
  • Name your files “Primary contacts last name plus a recognizable abbreviation of your presentation title.”
  • Submit your presentation, as a PowerPoint presentation (.ppt or .pptx), through your presentation submission page, found in your profile menu on the 2022 Michigan IT Symposium event site in Fourwaves. You will need to log in to the event site to do so.
  • Note: Fourwaves only accepts PowerPoint presentations. On the day of your breakout session presentation you will be able to present your final presentation through Google Slides or as a PowerPoint presentation because you will be sharing your presentation on a screen.