POSTER PRESENTATION INSTRUCTIONS

Poster presentations should be based on original completed research not previously reported in a research publication. Sound experimental design and interpretation are essential. All data must be in metric units.

Abstracts scheduled for presentation in poster sessions will be listed in the program.

We have dedicated a 2-hour block each morning for poster presentations only. The open posters will be from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Oral sessions will not begin until after the poster sessions are finished each day.

Each poster presentation will be scheduled for public viewing for the entire day (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), with the presenting authors available during the open posters time (7:30–9:30 a.m.). All posters should be mounted on the board 30 minutes before the day’s session (posters open at 7:30 a.m.). The exhibit hall will open at 6:15 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the ADSA Annual Meeting. Posters must be removed between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. each day.

The poster board surface area is 48 inches high and 96 inches wide. Your poster does not need to fill the entire area available but cannot be larger than the surface area provided. The top of the poster space should include the abstract number, title, authors, and affiliations. The lettering for this section should be at least 1 inch high. Presenters must furnish their own tacks or push pins (Velcro may not be used).

Locating the Correct Poster Board
Please look for the poster number (same as the abstract number) as noted in the program book, to locate a poster board. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday poster numbers will be preceded by an M, T, and W, respectively.

Preparation:

  • The same principles of simplicity and clarity apply to poster and oral presentations; a poster is a hybrid of an oral presentation and a printed paper.
  • Your story should proceed logically, with headings indicating sections: Introduction, Objective(s), Materials and Methods, Results, Summary, and Conclusions. The Conclusions should not merely be summary statements but should provide the reader with your interpretation of what the results mean.
  • Use photographs, drawings, or flow charts to help your audience better visualize the materials and methods used. Graphs should have titles, the axes should be named, and units should be quantified. Tables must include a title.
  • Include a small, professional picture of yourself near the abstract number and the title so that other attendees can identify you as the presenter of the poster.
  • Have colleagues or peers review your poster and make suggestions. Ask questions before you produce the final copy of your poster.

Proofread your poster before making the final copy!

Characteristics of a Good Poster:

  1. Text:
    • short statements, paragraphs using bullet points
    • concise lists
  2. Color:
    • text: darker color on white or light-colored background
    • matting: darker or subdued colors instead of brilliant colors
    • colors: limit number used to avoid busyness and distractions; simple use can add emphasis
  3. Text Size:
    • bold, large, block style; mix uppercase and lowercase letters (i.e., sentence case)
    • title: legible from 5 to 10 m
    • text: legible from 1.5 to 2 m
      A Sample of Poster Text
  4. Layout:
    • arrange poster sections from top to bottom, starting at the left side
    • sufficient blank space is important
    • use spaces to unify or separate sections
    • avoid too many small sections, too many edges, and too many narrow spaces
  5. Illustration:
    • make graphs and tables as simple as possible; focus on the main ideas
    • color and size are important
    • photographs: matte finish is better than glossy; use photos only if they are clear and large enough

Presentation:

  • Set up your poster well in advance of the presentation time.
  • Arrive promptly for your scheduled presentation time.
  • If your paper has been published, have extra copies of the paper ready to hand out to those that are interested. Other handouts or summaries are acceptable but none are necessary.

Suggestions from authors who have participated in poster sessions:

  • A short and legible introduction chart and a summary or conclusions chart are helpful.
  • Keep text and figure legends short, but do not omit them.
  • Simple use of color can add emphasis effectively.
  • Use large print, at least 3/8 inches high. Shade block letters when possible.
  • Roll poster materials and insert in a large mailing tube for ease of transportation.