ISME26 Presenter Resources

Download Presenter Template (.pptx)

Presentation Guidlines

Your poster is an effective visual communication tool designed to clearly convey your key message. This document provides guidance to support you in preparing your poster presentation. Following these guidelines will help ensure a rewarding and engaging experience for both presenters and conference delegates.


Any questions regarding poster layout or contents should be directed to: isme26@mci-agency.com

Download Poster Template (.pptx)

Poster Preparation

An effective poster:

  • Focuses on a single, clear message and uses graphics to communicate ideas—allow images to tell the story, with text used sparingly and purposefully.
  • Is designed to be read from approximately 0.5 metres (2 feet) away.
  • Uses no more than two or three colours for maximum visual impact.
  • Employs a light-coloured background with dark text to ensure strong contrast.
  • Uses clear, legible fonts and short blocks of text to support illustrations.
  • Is written in plain language, avoiding jargon and unexplained acronyms.
  • Uses an active voice and maintains a professional academic tone.
  • Is well organised, visually balanced, and easy to follow.
  • Presents your work clearly and includes an effective summary of findings.
  • Can stand alone without verbal explanation.
  • States results, conclusions, and/or recommendations clearly and directly.

Conflict of Interest

Please ensure that a conflict-of-interest statement is clearly displayed on your poster.
Include one of the following:

Option 1: No conflicts

  • I have no current or past relationships with commercial entities.

Option 2: Disclosure of relevant relationships

  • have the following relationships with commercial interests:
    • Advisory Board – [Name]
    • Speakers Bureau – [Name]
    • Funding (Grants/Honoraria) – [Name]
    • Research/Clinical Trial – [Name]
    • Speaker/Consulting Fees – [Name]
    • Current or Past Employment – [Name]
    • Investment Interests – [Name]

Poster Specification

  • Poster boards measure 4 ft (H) × 8 ft (W) and will support two posters per side.
  • The maximum poster size is a square: 3.75 ft × 3.75 ft = 114 cm × 114 cm (photo A)
  • If poster size preference is smaller then the square, please ensure orientation of your poster is in a landscape / horizontal format (photo B)
  • Poster boards will be a neutral colour.
  • Push pins will be provided.
  • Posters are not required to fill the entire display area.
  • No electrical or audiovisual equipment will be provided.

Conventional Layouts for Posters

  • A title banner (including author name and affiliation, where appropriate) should be positioned at the top centre of the poster.
  • The reading order should be immediately clear, generally progressing left to right and top to bottom.
  • Numbered sections or arrows may be used to guide viewers.
  • Incorporate sufficient negative (open) space to reduce visual fatigue and improve readability.

General Style / Formatting Tips

While not mandatory, we’ve created a branded poster template for your use if needed.

Here are a few key details to assist with preparing your presentation: 

Paper Presentation 

  • Duration of presentation is 20 minutes followed by 5-minute Q&A period. 
  • Preferred format is PowerPoint with a 16:9 aspect ratio for presentations 
    • In PowerPoint - Go to Design/Select "Slide Size"/Select Widescreen 16:9 
  • While not mandatory, should you wish to utilize our PowerPoint template, we have made the following branded pages for use: Template 
  • To avoid any connectivity issues, save your presentation to a USB key drive or laptop desktop. 
  • You are required to use your own laptop when presenting. 
  • ISME will provide the appropriate HDMI cables to connect your laptop to the house AV system.  
  • If your session is a joint session - please ensure that you have coordinated with your co-presenters and that you have exchanged copies of your presentation documents. 
  • Review Best Practices for Accessibility & Inclusion to ensure your audience is able to enjoy your presentation.  
  • Review ISME Code of Ethics thoroughly an understand violations of these ethics will be taken very seriously and could result in your removal from the conference and venue. 
Download Presenter Template (.pptx)

Here are a few key details to assist with preparing your presentation: 

Short Paper Presentation 

  • Duration of presentation is 10 minutes followed by 5-minute Q&A period. 
  • Preferred format is PowerPoint with a 16:9 aspect ratio for presentations 
    • In PowerPoint - Go to Design/Select "Slide Size"/Select Widescreen 16:9 
  • While not mandatory, should you wish to utilize our PowerPoint template, we have made the following branded pages for use: Template
  • To avoid any connectivity issues, we suggest saving your presentation to a USB key or laptop desktop. 
  • You are required to use your own laptop when presenting. 
  • ISME will provide the appropriate HDMI cables to connect your laptop to the house AV system.  
  • If your session is a joint session - please ensure that you have coordinated with your co-presenters and that you have exchanged copies of your presentation documents. 
Download Presenter Template (.pptx)

Here are a few key details to assist with preparing for your workshop: 

Workshop Presentations: 

  • Duration of workshop is 50 minutes. 
  • Room set up based on workshop submission notes. 
  • If you requested access to A/V for your workshop, you will be assigned a room equipped with a projector, screen and audio. 
  • You are required to use your own laptop for your workshop if you plan to present visuals in your workshop. 
  • ISME will provide the appropriate HDMI cables to connect your laptop to the house AV system.  
  • Review Best Practices for Accessibility & Inclusion to ensure your audience is able to enjoy your presentation.  
  • Review ISME Code of Ethics thoroughly an understand violations of these ethics will be taken very seriously and could result in your removal from the conference and venue. 
Download Presenter Template (.pptx)

Here are a few key details to assist with preparing your presentation: 

Full Paper Presentation 

  • Duration of presentation is 20 minutes followed by 5-minute Q&A period. 
  • Preferred format is PowerPoint with a 16:9 aspect ratio for presentations 
    • In PowerPoint - Go to Design/Select "Slide Size"/Select Widescreen 16:9 
  • While not mandatory, should you wish to utilize our PowerPoint template, we have made the following branded pages for use: Template 
  • To avoid any connectivity issues, we advise saving your presentation to a USB drive or to your laptop desktop.  
  • You are required to use your own laptop when presenting. 
  • ISME will provide the appropriate HDMI cables to connect your laptop to the house AV system.  
  • If your session is a joint session - please ensure that you have coordinated with your co-presenters and that you have exchanged copies of your presentation documents. 
  • Review Best Practices for Accessibility & Inclusion to ensure your audience is able to enjoy your presentation.  
  • Review ISME Code of Ethics thoroughly an understand violations of these ethics will be taken very seriously and could result in your removal from the conference and venue. 
Download Presenter Template (.pptx)

Here are a few key details to assist with preparing for your panel (formerly known as symposia): 

Panel Presentations: 

  • Duration of panel symposia is 90 minutes. 
  • If you requested access to A/V for your panel, you will be assigned a room equipped with a projector, screen and audio. 
  • You are required to use your own laptop if you plan to present visuals during panel discussions. 
  • ISME will provide the appropriate HDMI cables to connect your laptop to the house AV system.  
  • Review Best Practices for Accessibility & Inclusion to ensure your audience is able to enjoy your presentation.  
  • Review ISME Code of Ethics thoroughly an understand violations of these ethics will be taken very seriously and could result in your removal from the conference and venue. 
Download Presenter Template (.pptx)

PRESENTATION ACCESSIBILITY SUGGESTIONS

Overall suggestions (from W3C, 2026)

  • Describe all relevant visual information: Say all of the information that is on each slide, including text and graphics. (This does not mean that you have to read the slide exactly as it is. It just means that you cover the visual information in what you say.)
     
  • Describe visual information in the environment: For example, a speaker asks people to raise their hands if they make their websites fully accessible. The speaker should then describe the visual response: “About half raised their hand”.
     
  • Speak clearly: Avoid speaking too fast, so participants and interpreters can better understand you and keep up.
     
  • Use simple language: Avoid [unnecessary] or explain [necessary] jargon, acronyms, and idioms. For example, expressions such as “raising the bar” can be interpreted literally by some people with cognitive disabilities and can be confusing.
     
  • Give people time to process information: Pause between topics. When you ask if anyone has questions, some people with cognitive disabilities will need extra time to form their thoughts into words.
     
  • Be visible: Be visible and in good light when you talk, so participants can see your face. This helps some people hear and understand better, including many who are hard of hearing or have difficulty understanding accents. Be careful not to face away from your webcam or the audience to read projected material.
     
  • Use a good-quality microphone: [Always use the provided microphone.] Ensure the microphone is positioned so it picks up your voice well. Note that if you ask “Can everyone hear me OK?” some people might be uncomfortable saying that they cannot.
     
  • Ensure that all relevant sound is audible through the sound system: For example, if someone puts a question in remote chat or someone in-person doesn’t have a microphone, repeat their questions and comments into your microphone before replying.
     
  • Limit distractions: For example, ask participants to turn off mobile phone notifications, and presenters to turn off system notifications. Discourage side conversations during meetings and presentations.”

Preparing Slides and Posters

  • Main text: San-serif fonts are often easier for many people to read, especially from a distance. We encourage you to use fonts such as Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, Calibri, or Lucida. You may also consider using OpenDyslexic, a font designed specifically for readers with dyslexia. 
     
  • Headings (optional): Serif fonts can be useful for short titles, though. Consider Times New Roman, Garamond, Georgia, or Merriweather. 
     
  • Size: Larger fonts are recommended overall. Here are some suggested sizes:
     
  • Slides: 24 point
    • Posters:
      • Main text: 24 point, minimum
      • Section headings: 42 point, minimum
      • Title: 74 point, minimum
         
  • Colors: Ensure that you use colors carefully, ensuring the best contrast between text and background. Consider using WebAIM Contrast Checker (https://shorturl.at/CANGp) or similar resources as a guide.  
     
  • Background: In addition to considering the color contrast between background and text/foreground, ensure that your background is not too active. Images used as backgrounds can make text difficult to read. If using images in the background, consider giving text boxes a solid-color fill and/or blurring the image in a photo editor. 

Live captioning is a standard for accessibility at conferences. In situations when these resources are not provided, presenters can add live captioning to their sessions by following the steps outlined below:

Microsoft PowerPoint: Windows 10 (or later) and Mac 16.22.127.0 (or higher)

  • Present your presentation
  • Enter either Side Show View or Presenter View
  • Select the “Toggle Subtitles” which looks like this: 
  • You can also right-click to the menu or use the shortcut key J via Mac
  • Present your presentation
  • Enter either Side Show View or Presenter View

Google Slides: Only provides captions in English

  • Present your presentation
  • Hover over the bottom-left to reveal the tools and click the three vertical dots/menu
  • Click “Captions preferences” 
  • Click “Toggle Captions”

Apple Keynote: 

  • This application does not have a built-in captioning tool. If using Keynote, you can either export your file to PowerPoint/Google Slides, or log in to a web conferencing application, such as Zoom, to use the captioning tools. 

Zoom: 

  • Start a Zoom meeting (no one needs to be in the meeting other than you)
  • Open your presentation
  • Click “Share” and select the screen or window with your presentation in it
  • Click “more” or the icon with three vertical dots
  • Select “Show captions”
  • Pin the screen with your presentation in it, and turn off your microphone and video
  • Present your presentation
     

Audio triggers: “The following session includes live music, video demonstrations, and/or sudden, loud noises. For participants with sensory differences, discretion is advised."

Visual triggers: “The following session includes videos or animations that may contain strobing lights or other visual triggers. For participants with sensory differences, discretion is advised."
 

BEST PRACTICES FOR ACCESSIBILTY & INCLUSION

1. Structure Your Presentation Clearly (Sample structure)

1. Opening (10–15%)

  • Brief introduction
  • Clear session overview (what audience can expect in your session)

2. Body (70–80%)

  • Focus on 2–4 key points (clarity versus quantity)
  • Evidence, specific examples, visuals, audio, video

3.Conclusion (10–15%)

  • Summarize key points
  • Reinforce takeaway
  • Clear call to action (if applicable)

2. Design Clean, Professional Slides (use of PPT/Slides/Canva/Prezi is recommended)

  • Use minimal text (bullet points, not paragraphs)
  • One idea per slide
  • Large fonts (minimum 24pt)
  • High contrast colors
  • Simple, consistent design
  • Include visuals to represent text
  • Avoid reading slides verbatim or turning toward slides to read them

Resources on Accessible Presentations

3. Speaking

  • Some rooms may be equipped with microphones, while others may not. Please adjust accordingly and speak clearly and loudly.
  • Speak slower than normal conversation: there may be people whose native language is not English
  • Vary tone and emphasis
  • Explain “jargon” and terms that may not be used in countries other than your own
  • Consider how you will engage the audience members (i.e., questions, stories, video/audio feedback)