Rapid Presentation Rounds (RPR) Guidelines

• The Presenter Ready Room is located in Meeting Room 1 of the Westin DC Downtown. Please check the map of the venue and signs on-site for the exact location.
• Rapid presentation presenters may view their already loaded presentations on the computers. Changes to the presentations must be made at least one hour prior to the presentation and approved by the Nurse Planner on-site. Presentations can be made from handouts, which will be the responsibility of the presenting author, but this must be communicated before the presentation deadline. If a presentation is missing, please immediately notify staff.
• The Presenter Ready Room is available for use during the following times:
  • • Friday, 20 March 2026: 2-3:30 p.m. (1400-1530)
    • Saturday, 21 March 2026: 8:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. 0845-1030); 1:30-3:15 p.m. (1330-1515)
    • Sunday, 22 March 2026: 7:30-10:00 a.m. (0730-1000)

Rapid Presentations

• Each Rapid Round presentation will be 3-5 minutes long with up to seven presentations.
• Presenters may use a small number of slides, or they may choose to use an electronic poster.
• These short presentations aim to spark the audience's interest to join in a brief discussion with the presenter.
• After all presenters have finished, presenters will break into small groups, and attendees can choose which group they’d like to join for further discussion. This portion typically lasts about 15–20 minutes. There is no facilitator during this time.
• Please refer to the Speaker Resource Center for your session information.

Presentation Template

If you wish, you may download and utilize the conference-themed PowerPoint template from Sigma to help you format your presentation. Due to the rapid nature of this presentation type, your slides should be limited.

General Information

• Be engaging and draw the attendees in with the presentation.
• If using a PowerPoint presentation, make sure that you present the information in a clear, consistent way with a font size that is easy to read.
• Slides should not be used as a teleprompter or script for the presenting author, but rather should be supplemental to enhance the presentation.
• Slides should be a means to highlight important portions of the presentation.
• Be aware of the time limitation of no more than 5 minutes.
• Information should be spaced evenly on the page.

Color/Font

• Use the option for ‘Font TrueType.’
• Maintain consistent fonts throughout, using no more than two fonts on one slide.
• Use traditional bullets (i.e., circles or squares), instead of ‘fun’ bullets. Depending on the version of PowerPoint used, some bullets may not transfer.
• Background and font color should be easy to read at a distance.
• Font should be easy to read (no smaller than 24-point).
• Headers should be in the same font and font size throughout the presentation.
• The body of the slides should be in the same font and font size throughout the presentation.

Animation

• Limit animations.
• If using animation, be sure that animation is timed, and transitions do not occur on the click.

• All session rooms are equipped with:
  • LCD projector
  • Computer
  • Projection screen
• All presentations must be given on the provided computer and projector. Presenters CANNOT use personal equipment or attach personal equipment to the equipment provided by the audio/visual vendor.
• Only provided equipment and software are available for use during presentation. Specialized software (Flash, QuickTime, etc.) will not be supported on-site.

• All presentations will be pre-loaded by Sigma to reduce downtime due to technical problems and ease the transition between presenters.
• Presentation files will need to be uploaded to the Speaker Resource Center no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on 13 February 2026.
• Changes to the presentation must be made at least one hour prior to the presentation and approved by the Nurse Planner on-site. Changes on-site are not ideal and should be avoided.
• Embedded audio and video files are not permitted and will not be supported on-site. Presenters are not allowed to add hyperlinks to their presentations to show video or audio files.
• Presenters are not required to use electronic means to present their work; however, no other equipment will be made available for presentations except for what has been stated above. If you do not plan to use a PowerPoint presentation file, please email abstracts@sigmanursing.org before the deadline.

• If presenters are wanting to provide handouts, Sigma recommends approximately 20 copies.
• Sigma will not provide or print handouts for the concurrent sessions.

Best Practice Approaches for Addressing International Audiences

• Present with shorter sentences and use simple words in a slower cadence.¹
• Avoid abbreviations, jargon/slang, or idioms.²
• Limit use of content that is specific to any single nation.
• Do not use jokes during the presentation, as jokes will not likely translate well between different cultures.^1,3
• Be mindful of nonverbal communication.³