VIRTUAL POSTER PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

Virtual posters provide viewers high-quality resolution of images and text. Like traditional posters, virtual posters provide a concise snapshot of your work, but instead of a physical poster pinned to a board, virtual posters are a single slide presentation which is viewed on a computer.

Poster presenters have the option of submitting a PDF version of their poster AND an mp4 version with an audio recorded file (maximum of 5 minutes) to accompany their virtual poster presentation. We recommend using the recording feature through PowerPoint.

• Prepare your virtual poster as an electronic version replicating what a physical poster would look like.
• No animations, embedded videos, or embedded links are permitted.
• We recommend using PowerPoint to prepare your virtual poster. Your poster should be created on a single slide (one slide only).
• There is no required poster size.
• Poster orientation can be either horizontal or vertical.
• Include title, authors, and institutional affiliation at the top of the poster.
• A brief but clearly worded “Introduction” as well as “Summary and Conclusions” are key features for understanding the data presented.
• Text and legends for figures should be short. Make sure to use large, clear, easy-to-read print for text and legends.
• The use of color adds emphasis and draws interest to the presentation.

Guidelines for Including Recording for Your Virtual Poster Presentation

Presenters have the option to include a short audio file (maximum of 5 minutes) to accompany their virtual poster presentation. We recommend using the recording feature through PowerPoint.

• Before recording, make sure your microphone is plugged in and ready to record.
• To record narrations in PowerPoint, find the Slide Show tab on the ribbon. Click on the Slide Show tab to change the available option.
• Click Record Slide Show and a new window will pop up with two options to set before you start recording. Leave both options checked and click Start Recording.
• Recording will start immediately. The recording may be a maximum of 5 minutes long. You can see the length of time recording on the screen.
• When you have finished, click the X button on the upper right corner of the Recording window to complete the audio recording.
• Export the PowerPoint as a video to be uploaded to the Speaker's Corner link at the top of this page. Be sure that when you save the "Use Recorded Timings and Narrations" option is selected.
• Verify that the file will save as an mp4 file before saving.
• All virtual poster presentations will be reviewed for time limitation and accreditation guideline compliance. Any presentation not meeting these guidelines will need to be re-recorded. The time limitation on all virtual poster recordings is 5 minutes. This time will be strictly enforced.

Best Practices and Tips When Recording

Creating good quality audio is all in the details. Please follow the steps below to ensure your audio is clear.

• Find a quiet place where you can control the environment.
• Mute computers, cell phones, etc.
• Avoid public areas where background noise may be present.
• Be prepared and have an outline of what you want to say.
• Speak 6-12 inches away from the microphone.
• Maintain the same distance from the microphone throughout your recording.

Virtual poster presentations are available for viewing throughout the virtual event. Presentations will be available on-demand to all paid registered attendees from Tuesday, 6 August through Thursday, 8 August , and will be made available, with author permission, on the Sigma Repository following the event.

Virtual poster viewing details forthcoming.

• Presenters will be asked to upload a PDF file as well as a pre-recorded mp4 video file. Virtual poster presentations require at a minimum that a PDF be uploaded. If presenters decide to upload both formats, all files will be included with their record in the Sigma Repository following the event.
• Presentations must be uploaded via the Speaker’s Corner site no later than 11:59 p.m. (2359) Eastern Time on Wednesday, 1 May 2024.
• Presentation files should only be one slide and can be created in any software. The system will only allow PDF documents and mp4 documents to be uploaded.
• If unable to upload the presentation, contact abstracts@sigmanursing.org.
• Submit files using this format: Abstract Number_Last Name_Attribute data
  (Example: 111515_Last Name_Presentation OR 111515_Last Name_Reference Handout)

• Don’t overload your poster. Please remember that you are not writing an article.
• Seek simplicity; keep text to a minimum and avoid redundancies.
• Be sure that your poster attracts attention, emphasizes important points, reads easily, and stimulates interest. Use, but don’t overuse, bold fonts and colors.
• Facts should be single phrases or words.
• Define unfamiliar or complex terms as simply as possible.
• Use pictorial or graphic illustrations to clarify and enhance a message. Figures and tables should cover approximately 50 percent of the poster area.
• Use a consistent font throughout.
• Use a minimal amount of punctuation. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms where possible, especially in the conclusions.
• The viewer should be able to grasp the total message in five minutes.
• Feel free to provide one or more key references.