2008 Timonnium seminar - call for "table" presentations

Mark · 10th January 2008, 08:42 PM

Something new that we tried last year was having "table" presentations along with the speakers' presentations. Think of it as a more elaborate "show-and-tell." They were set up early so people could circulate around and study them before and after the talks, and during dinner.

I invite everyone to consider preparing a table presentation. We can provide room for 5-6 tables, and a presentation could occupy a full table, or just a half table. So there is room for anywhere from 5 to 12 presentations.

But what is a table presentation, you ask. If you have ever been to a conference that had poster sessions, the idea is the same. For those who haven't, what we are looking for is a themed display of some sort, preferably with some accompanying text (on a poster board, or as a hand-out, for example), and hopefully with some pieces. People can circulate around the tables and study the presentations, and ask the presenter questions about them, too. It is a simple way to work in more topics and information without unduly prolonging the evening.

The topic can be anything, really, as we don't have a theme for this year's seminar. It should be something substantive, though, and not just "here are some need pointy things from wherever." However, they also do not need to be some elaborate academic thesis with full bibliography. Informality is OK, a narrow topic is OK, so long as there is something to learn in it. If you stop and think about it, we are all posting that kind of information on this forum every day, so don't feel intimidated or shy about trying something. You guys know a heck of a lot.

If you are interested, please send me an e-mail with your proposed topic/title. If you are not sure just what to do, just send me a note with your idea and we can work together to get the right focus.

I will post some photos of last year's table presentations this evening, to give you an idea of what they look like.

10th January 2008, 08:42 PM	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	2008 Timonnium seminar - call for "table" presentations Something new that we tried last year was having "table" presentations along with the speakers' presentations. Think of it as a more elaborate "show-and-tell." They were set up early so people could circulate around and study them before and after the talks, and during dinner. I invite everyone to consider preparing a table presentation. We can provide room for 5-6 tables, and a presentation could occupy a full table, or just a half table. So there is room for anywhere from 5 to 12 presentations. But what is a table presentation, you ask. If you have ever been to a conference that had poster sessions, the idea is the same. For those who haven't, what we are looking for is a themed display of some sort, preferably with some accompanying text (on a poster board, or as a hand-out, for example), and hopefully with some pieces. People can circulate around the tables and study the presentations, and ask the presenter questions about them, too. It is a simple way to work in more topics and information without unduly prolonging the evening. The topic can be anything, really, as we don't have a theme for this year's seminar. It should be something substantive, though, and not just "here are some need pointy things from wherever." However, they also do not need to be some elaborate academic thesis with full bibliography. Informality is OK, a narrow topic is OK, so long as there is something to learn in it. If you stop and think about it, we are all posting that kind of information on this forum every day, so don't feel intimidated or shy about trying something. You guys know a heck of a lot. If you are interested, please send me an e-mail with your proposed topic/title. If you are not sure just what to do, just send me a note with your idea and we can work together to get the right focus. I will post some photos of last year's table presentations this evening, to give you an idea of what they look like.