ASA - American Society on Aging

Format Guide

Following are descriptions of each of the Presentation Formats:

What is a Special Lecture?

A Special Lecture features a nationally-known presenter speaking on a topic of critical importance to the field. Generally, Special Lectures are 90 minutes in length.

What is a Symposium?

A symposium is a major session on an issue of vital current interest to a broad segment of the conference audience, presented by a panel of national experts or spokespersons for pertinent organizations. One member of the panel must serve as the moderator (and may serve in another capacity as well, e.g., as a speaker or respondent). The symposium can be organized in a variety of ways. For example, you may have a keynote speaker and a number of respondents. Or you may have a number of panelists each addressing a different aspect or theme. We recommend allowing time for questions and comments from the audience.

Symposia are 90 or 120 minutes in length (determined at the time of scheduling).

What is a Workshop?

Similar to a classroom environment, a workshop is an interactive and hands-on session in which the presenter introduces the session participants to new techniques or program ideas. The workshop is both informative and applied in nature, involving educational and experiential activities, skill-building and problem-solving exercises, and audience participation. Workshops are 90 or 120 minutes in length, determined at the time of scheduling.

What is a Lecture/Mini-Workshop?

Two to four presentations are grouped together in a single time period. The presentations occur sequentially, one following the next, in the same room.

The presentations themselves may be a lecture format or they may be more interactive and experiential, classroom-type presentations.

Where possible, groupings are on topics of related interest. Each presentation will have 30-45 minutes within a larger 90-120 minute timeslot.

What is a Research Application to Program and Policy Session?

RAPP Sessions present the results of research, with an emphasis on implications for practice or policy, and with time for questions and discussion. Two to four presentations are grouped together in a single time period and are presented sequentially, one after the other, in the same room. Where possible, groupings are on topics of related interest. Each presentation will have 30-45 minutes within a total timeslot of 90-120 minutes.

What is a Poster Session?

Poster sessions display the results of research or a project. You will be provided with a 6' x 4' poster board to mount your display. It should be graphic in nature, with tables, graphics or pictures accompanied by supporting text. A number of posters will be displayed in the same room during the 75-minute lunch period so that attendees can walk around and view many posters. You will not need any audio-visual equipment for this format.

What is a Program Exchange?

A program exchange is an opportunity to showcase a program or project in an informal setting with interested attendees. Do not prepare a formal presentation since this format lends itself to informal discussions with a large number of people.

You will be provided with a 6 foot table in a room with a number of other program exchanges. Participants will have the opportunity to walk around and visit a number of these program exchanges during the 75-minute lunch period. You will not need any audio-visual equipment for this format.

What is a Roundtable?

A roundtable is a facilitated group discussion in an informal setting on the topic selected by the organizer. Do not plan on making a formal presentation, but you are expected to facilitate the discussion.

A number of roundtables will be placed in the same room over the 75-minute lunch period. Each roundtable discussion group is provided with a round table and chairs in this room. You will not need any audio-visual equipment for this format.

What is a Peer Group?

A Peer Group is a meeting designed to allow people in similar professions, settings or interest groups to share common concerns and exchange program information in an informal setting.

What is a Preconference Intensive?

Preconference Intensives are half-day or full-day in-depth sessions prior to the conference. They emphasize the teaching of new techniques, skills and program ideas. Attendees at these sessions pay a separate fee.