Poster presentation: How will I present?

E

My abstract has been accepted as a poster presentation in an upcoming conference. I have already presented my work as an oral presentation but I did not bother to enter poster hall, so don’t have an idea.
I searched the forum and found some useful advices but need some more.
http://www.postgraduateforum.com/showmessage.asp?thread=4403&cat=4&keyword=poster&newview=1&stype=TM&category=CP

1. Should I give an overview of my research to everyone who makes a mistake to have a look on my poster or should wait for the questions?
2. Conference is 4 days long; it seems difficult to stand by my poster all the time.
thanks

A

You will find that there is a specified time (usually 30 mins to an hour, depending on size of conference) where you should stand by your poster, you certainly won't be expected to loiter by it for the duration of the conference. In fact, again, if it's a big conference, you will likely be told to take your poster down after your presentation slot because other posters will be going up in the same place.

People will usually make it obvious if they want to talk to you about your research. Just try to make yourself approachable (smile etc) and enjoy it. It's a good way to meet like-minded researchers and make some good contacts. Good luck!

U

I had one poster during my PhD. I spent ages making a really visual impressive poster. The session lasted 1.5 hours. At the beginning we all had to introduce our work using a microphone and a powerpoint slide to around 100 observers. We then went and stood by our posters, waiting for interesting questions from interested visitors. However no-one was interested in mine, so I went to the bar after 40 mins

Dress smartly. Stand by your poster for the 1.5 hours and hope someone finds your work interesting. It's a great networking opportunity so make the most of it and have fun.

E

There are 7 Coffee + Posters sessions (1 hour each) in the programm. I wish not to receive someone on third and fourth day (becuase I want to see other posters myself as well).

P

Hi explorer,
Each conference is different but as someone else has said you usually have allotted times. I do think 7 x 1hr slots is a lot though?! I've been to plenty of conferences where people put their posters up and then don't bother standing by them at all (also when you take a poster for someone else). So I wouldn't get too worried about being by your poster each break.

One good thing to do is print out copies of your poster on A4 bits of paper, pop them in a clear plastic wallet and pin it to the board by your poster. That way if you're not about people can take a copy of your poster and they'll also get your contact details if they want to discuss with you.

Oh, and it's nice to smile at people looking at your poster, but I wouldn't start telling them about your work unless they express an interest

A

Yes, there may well be 7 one hour poster sessions at your conference but I think it's highly unlikely that you will be expected to be at your poster for more than one of them.

E

Thanks Ann, UFO and Pup. It was my first post and I found this forum very useful.
Have a nice day.

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