Guidelines for General Poster Sessions

The vast majority of papers presented at the Convention will be in poster format. Poster sessions allow a researcher to discuss their findings for an extended period, as well as giving attendees the ability to select the presentations they’re most interested in.

A successful poster requires care and planning so that information is self-explanatory. An extra hour or two spent preparing your materials and organizing your display can contribute toward both coverage and clarity for a successful session.

ABCT has adopted a new, innovative poster format that has been making the rounds on social media. We STRONGLY RECOMMEND using this format, as we believe it will increase both efficiency and effectiveness in poster preparation and communication of data.

Poster Printing

Click here to download the poster order form.

Recommended Poster Format

You can view the YouTube video describing the rationale for this new poster approach here: “How to create a better research poster in less time.”

You can find SIMPLE, easy templates for this new format here: Better Scientific Posters from OSF.io.

You may note that the above video suggests color coding your backgrounds; You will not be able to utilize that idea this year. In future years, it may be considered.

Though traditional poster designs will still be accepted, it is assumed that most presenters will be utilizing the innovative design templates, and that this new format will be primary in future years.

Compare the above format to traditional poster arrangement:

Poster Content

In both innovative and traditional poster formats, it is important to provide a short, clear, non-technical description of what you did, why you did it, and what you found. In a few sentences or bullet points, say what you did, why you did it and what you think it means.

In both poster formats, we recommend the following sections:

• Introduction

• Methods

• A brief overview of things like:

1. Subjects
2. Apparatus
3. Details of procedure

• Results

• Discussion

You should keep references and reviews of the literature to a minimum. The format requires you to be a bit bolder in your style, as compared to something like a research report. This is especially important in the Innovative Format. Complicated events should be condensed into a few short sentences.

Think of a poster as a simplified scientific report with a discussion-oriented format. The poster should communicate the issue and conclusion, as well be eye-catching to individuals walking by.

The actual in vivo discussion should fill in the details.

The Presentation

For the presentation, you should have your materials readily on display. You and your co-authors should be available to discuss the materials and answer questions. At least one author must be present at the board at all times.

Please consider including a QR code on your poster. Though handouts will be accepted, using a QR code is more environmentally-friendly, as well as more efficient in terms of materials and outreach.

Setting and Materials

Posters are presented within groups of similar research topics. All posters will be presented in the Exhibit Hall.

Each presenter(s) will be allocated a board, measuring approximately 8 feet wide x 4 feet tall. Posters will stand approximately 3 feet off the ground.

If you are printing at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Fedex Office, the poster should be 42” X 44”.

If you are not printing at the Marriott, the suggested size is 48” X 36”.

Ribbons identifying you and your co-authors as poster presenters will be issued to you at the beginning of the session. Pushpins for mounting your poster materials will also be provided; if your poster requires any special materials that cannot be mounted via pushpins, you should bring your own mounting supplies.

No electrical outlets or audio-visual equipment will be provided in the poster area even if you requested it in your submission. You must be prepared to deliver your presentation based solely on the materials that can be directly affixed to the poster board.

Poster Display

It is critically important that your display materials be both clear and visible. Most people will be viewing your poster from a distance. A note to keep in mind is that your material should be easily read from a distance of 4 to 6 feet.

Setting Up and Tearing Down

Each poster board will carry a number in the upper corner corresponding to the poster’s listed number found in the electronic program.

Poster presenters should arrive at the poster display area 15 minutes before the scheduled beginning of their poster session to set up their display materials. At the end of the session, display materials and all other materials must be taken down and removed from the areas.