Main Program Presentation Guidelines

Presentation Slide Template

Conference Program

Promote Your Session!

Video Prerecord Instructions

A few brief rules regarding your slide deck content:

• Case studies and project data must be included. Please present technologies, equipment, tools, etc. within the context/application of a case study/project.
• NO COMMERCIAL CONTENT ALLOWED (e.g. equipment/product cut sheets, product catalogs, company profiles, “About Us” slides, marketing slides)
• No speaker photos/about me slides. Speaker photos and bios will be made available on the CampusEnergy2026 website and event app. Due to the limited time to present, you want to spend time on your content.
• No comparisons to other vendors’ and/or competitors’ products.

Additionally, you are required to submit a recording of your presentation with slide sharing by Friday, January 30. This is not a Spielberg production - you can simply record your video with Zoom, Teams, or directly in the PowerPoint app. If you have multiple presenters, we recommend scheduling a Zoom or Teams call with the group and record it - it's that simple! As long as you're on screen with your slides with audio, you're good! If you have questions on how to record, please contact us at speakers.idea@districtenergy,org.

WHY A RECORDING?  You might be asking why you need to record your presentation early if you're going to be there in person.

Recording a video significantly increases your visibility with attendees. With five or six concurrent sessions happening at any given time, it’s likely that someone who wants to attend your presentation may not be able to. By recording a video that all attendees can view, you ensure they can still watch your presentation after the conference and benefit from your expertise.

Additionally, IDEA provides attendees with access to videos post-conference to enhance their learning experience. If you cannot commit to providing a video, please contact us immediately so we can replace your session with one of the many on the waitlist. 

Main Program Presentations will take place in one of five or six concurrent meeting rooms, depending on the date/time.

Your Session Room: The room set for all main conference presentations is the same in every room, including:

• A mic’d podium for presenters, on a riser/stage positioned at the front-middle of the room. 
• A 6' table on stage, next to the podium, to allow seating for sessions with multiple presenters.
• An IDEA laptop on the podium, with presenter's PPT presentation preloaded. 
• A large screen (where slides will be projected) set up in the corner of the room.
• A microphone for audience questions, stationed in the middle of the room, 

Session Length: Your session is 25 minutes, which amounts to 18-20 minutes for your presentation, followed by 5-7 minutes for Q&A.

Moderator: Each session track has a moderator who will do a quick intro of the session and speakers. To save time, your full bio will not be read as attendees can read it in the app. The moderator will also field questions from the audience at the conclusion of your presentation, during the Q&A period.

Audio Visual/Staff Assistance: An AV tech and an IDEA staff member will also be on hand to assist/troubleshoot issues when needed.

Session Tracks: IDEA divides the program into session tracks, which are blocks of time in which multiple presentations on the same topic are given over that period of time. IDEA asks that the speaker(s) for each presentation within a session track be present in the room at the beginning of their time block, ready to go on stage when it is time for their presentation to begin.

On the morning of the day you're scheduled to speak, IDEA requires you to attend a Speaker & Moderator Orientation meeting, taking place in Chesapeake Room 1-3. Here, speakers and moderators gather for coffee and breakfast for a meet and greet while IDEA briefly reviews the day and provides any last-minute scheduling updates. 

I know - it's early, especially if you're not due to speak until later in the day.  However, it's a great opportunity to meet with the other speakers in your track and meet your session moderator for your session (and did we mention free breakfast?)