Speaker Resources

Speaker Confirmation

It is important that we receive your speaker confirmation by July 31, 2013.

Please confirm your participation by logging into the speaker portal and agreeing to the event terms. Information and/or changes to your workshop received after this date will not be included in the ABX attendee brochure. Please make sure to update or edit your contact information in the Speaker Portal as soon as possible. This will ensure that you receive all correspondence regarding event and are correctly registered to attend.

Complimentary 3-Workshop Package

As a thank you for sharing your professional expertise, you will receive a complimentary 3-Workshop Package registration. With this package, you may attend any ABX conference session. (This complimentary registration does not include tours, receptions or other special events.)

Speaker Discount

As a speaker, you may extend to your colleagues a discount giving them 15% off the full passport registration. Simply log into your Speaker Portal and give the discount code. They can register on-line at www.abexpo.com/register.

Presentation Deadlines, Guidelines and Suggestions

Deadlines

Presentations need to be uploaded to your Speaker Portal by October 31, 2013. Please title your presentation as the Session ID followed by your first initial and last name. (i.e. A10JSmith). We must have your presentation materials by this date in order to produce and host the documentation on the conference website. We understand the desire to include the most up-to-date information in your presentation, therefore, consider the slides you send us to be a work-in-progress, which then can be filled in with additional verbal information during your workshop. We ask that panelists collaborate in advance and submit a single presentation for each workshop as opposed to a series of independent presentations.

Guidelines

• All presentations must be educational in nature and not be used to promote products or services.
• Create slides to highlight your presentation, not duplicate exactly what you will say.
• Any additional handouts (i.e. case studies, journal articles, etc.) are the speaker's responsibility to print and distribute to workshop participants.
• We recommend that you include your contact information on the last slide of your presentation attendees may contact you with follow-up questions.
• Rehearse your presentation. The Speaker Ready Room is available for this purpose.
• Use a large font size - remember, those sitting in the back of the room should be able to read your slide.
• Be consistent in presenting information in an organized, logical manner.

Slide Template
In an effort to maintain consistency, we have created a PowerPoint template slide for your presentation. Please use this slide as guideline when producing your workshop materials.

Learning Objectives
Learn how to properly write a basic learning objective. http://www.aia.org/education/providers/AIAS076145

Audio/Visual
All meeting rooms will be equipped with the following;

• LCD projector
• Screen
• (1) wired microphone

Please let us know by October 31, 2013 if you need additional AV or internet service through the Speaker Portal. You must bring your laptop.

Room Assignments
Speakers will receive a final logistics email message approximately 10 days prior to the event, including your workshop room assignment. Room sizes range from approximately 15-250 people each. Click here for a printable map of the conference center.

Housing and Travel Information

Hotel Accommodations
Stay at the beautiful Westin or Hampton Inn, located close to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. For more information about hotels and amenities please visit our travel page.

Public Transportation
The MBTA Silver Line Waterfront (SL1) provides service from the WTC Station to Logan International Airport terminals every 10 minutes during the weekday and every 15 minutes during the weekend. The Silver Line station is located across the street from the BCEC.

For more information on the subway, commuter rail or bus routes please go to www.mbta.com.

Parking
$12 parking is offered during the event at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Speaking Pointers

Helpful Tips
The most common complaint from workshop attendees: The presentation was a “company sales pitch”.  Please limit your presentation to your workshop topic. Past experience has shown us that most attendees are from a technical background so please try and avoid “introductory” presentations.

Answering Questions
Before answering a question please ensure that everyone in the audience has heard what the question is. Repeat questions if necessary then answer the question concisely and directly. Please try to restrict your answer to no more than two minutes.

Basic Organization
The most significant constraint is the time limit. In 3 to 5 minutes you can probably speak about 300 to 500 words at a moderate speed.
                     
The time limit also restricts how many concepts or major technical points you can make and expect your audience to absorb. A good guideline is to have no more than 3 such points. Express each technical point as a declarative statement, substantiated with supporting material. Though the restriction to 3 points may seem like a hardship, it will help focus the audience’s attention on the most significant information.