Programming Guide

Before the Meeting

  • Identify an appropriately focused topic
  • Provide the Program Chair with a title, the organizer’s name so that the symposium can be listed in PACS and a brief description of the symposium to assist potential speakers in submitting abstracts
  • Verify with the Program Chair that the symposium organizer has been assigned to the symposium in PACS
  • Identify appropriate speakers and session presiders as early as possible
  • Contact potential speakers and session presiders to gain their agreement to participate in the symposium and to agree on content of talks
  • Assure that the speakers enter their abstracts into PACS before the deadline
  • After abstracts are entered; read and edit them as necessary. If contributed abstracts were accepted, review them and either accept or reject them
  • Set up the symposium in PACS. If you need help, contact the Program Chair
  • Work with the Program Chair to agree on a date and time to schedule the symposium
  • Follow up with the speakers and presiders to assure that they will be at the symposium
  • Obtain appropriate information on speakers for introductions and provide them with the “rules” for timing presentations in the symposium
  • Identify an appropriately focused topic.
  • Identify appropriate speakers and session presiders as early as possible.
  • Contact potential speakers and session presiders to gain their agreement to participate in the symposium and to agree on content of talks.
  • Work with the Program Chair to agree on a date and time to schedule the symposium.
  • Follow up with the speakers and presiders to assure that they will be at the symposium.
  • Obtain appropriate information on speakers for introductions and provide them with the “rules” for timing presentations in the symposium.

Choose your symposium structure:

  • Series of speakers with specified time limits
  • Series of talks followed by panel discussion
  • Panel discussion only

As organizer, you can set:

  • The order of events
  • The length of talks
  • Introductory remarks, breaks and summary remarks
  • Expected maximum attendance

Set up MAPS

  • Provide the Program Chair with a title, the organizer’s name so that the symposium can be listed in MAPS, and a brief description of the symposium to assist potential speakers in submitting abstracts.
  • Verify with the Program Chair that the symposium organizer has been assigned to the symposium in MAPS.
  • Set up the symposium in MAPS. If you need help, contact the Program Chair.
  • Assure that the speakers enter their abstracts into MAPS before the deadline.
  • After abstracts are entered, read and edit them as necessary. If contributed abstracts were accepted, review them and either accept or reject them.

At the Meeting

  • Contact the speakers to assure that they have arrived.
  • Check the assigned room to determine if changes in set-up might be necessary. If changes are needed, work with the Program Chair to get them done.
  • Locate the technical support person assigned to your room to be sure you know how to find her or him if a problem arises.
  • See that the attendance forms are completed and submitted for each session of the symposium.