Conference Planning

Have any questions about how the lab plans for conferences? This webpage will hopefully have the answers along with any resources folks may need during conference prep. Also, check out the Conferencing page for a peek at the lab's most recent activity at conferences.

Submission Resources

• ABAI Submission Tips

Chairing Resources

• Chairing Symposia 

• Chair Email to Presenters

• Chairing Panels

• Chair Email to Panelists

Presenting Resources

• Templates for Presentations

Conference prep is "that oh-so-awesome time of year when we geek out, freak out, then show out what we’ve prepared for the annual conferences." - Emily Sandoz

What is geekin' out?

Conference prep begins with geekin' out, a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Sandoz to review data or conceptual analysis. Panel chairs and symposium presenters are required to schedule a geekin' out meeting with Dr. Sandoz before moving onto freakin' out. The typical structure of a geekin' out meeting is as follows:

• Start: 6 questions drafted for panel OR conceptual analysis outlined OR data cleaned and coded/summarized, ideas for data focus, literature review complete, walk up outlined

• Process: meet with Emily to finalize conceptualization, data presentation and/or questions

• End: draft of full presentation or panel questions due to Emily by a certain date/time 

What is freakin' out?

Once everyone has completed their geekin' out meeting and tasks, conference prep moves into freakin' out, also known as "freak week" - a week full of presentation workshopping, editing, and practicing. Symposium presenters and practice session chairs are required to schedule numerous freakin' out meetings. The structure of freak week is as follows:

• Start: first draft of presentation

• Process: 3 working meetings scheduled and planned by Emily (groups will let Emily know if they need a space for hybrid meetings)

  • This incudes one workshop meeting, one rehearsal meeting, and one run through meeting

• End: presentation finalized and ready for approval

What is showin' out?

Once everyone has completed their full week of freakin' out meetings and practices, conference prep moves into its last stage, "showin' out" - an open-invite meeting for all labbies to watch presenters show out and show off their presentations, hosted by Dr. Sandoz. Symposium presenters are required to schedule a showin' out meeting. The structure of each showin' out meeting is as follows:

• Start: polished presentation

• Process: Show Emily (and supporting labbies)

• End: polished presentation with Emily's stamp of approval