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Session Presenter FAQ

If you have have been selected to present a session at the NAFSA 2008 Annual Conference & Expo, please review the information below. Any additional questions should be directed to 202.737.3699 or sessions[at]nafsa.org.

Session Presenters
When will I find out if my session proposal was accepted? All proposal organizers will receive an e-mail in mid- to late November regarding the status of the proposal.
My proposal for a general session was accepted. What do I do now? Contact session presenters so that everyone knows that the session has been accepted Return confirmation form by November 30, 2007, and keep a copy for your records Watch your e-mail for announcements E-mail sessions@nafsa.org with any changes to your session (presenter's name, institution, contact information) Start planning
When is my session? The date and time of your session is provided within your acceptance e-mail and on your confirmation form. Sessions begin on Tuesday afternoon and end Friday afternoon. Poster fairs will be held at the following times: Wednesday 1:45 p.m.-3:00 p.m. International Education Research 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Country Fair Thursday 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Innovations in International Institutional Partnerships Intercultural Initiatives for Campus and Community 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Reviewing Credentials from Secondary Schools for Recruitment Admissions and Working with Sponsoring Organizations 3:15 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Work, Internships, and Volunteering Abroad Friday 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Updates on Country Policies and Higher Education
Can I move the time of my session? Sessions are scheduled based on room availability and the flow of content. We cannot change session times unless both logistics and content flow allow; even then, sessions are only rescheduled in extreme cases.
How many sessions can I present? You may present in no more than two general sessions.
I won't be able to present at a session. What do I do? Notify the session chair/organizer Work with session chair/organizer to find a replacement presenter E-mail sessions@nafsa.org with the change of presenters so that the conference program is up-to-date and the new presenter receives important announcements
Where will my session be held? The majority of sessions will be held within the Washington Convention Center. Some sessions will be held at the Washington Renaissance Hotel. The location and room number of your session will be listed within the Conference Program provided to you at the registration desk on-site. Room numbers will not be issued beforehand.
What AV equipment is available in my room? Refer to the copy of your confirmation form to review your AV requests. Note: Requests made after the confirmation form is due may not be honored.
How will the room be set up? Most rooms are set theater style with a head table and chairs, podium, and microphones. Some rooms will be set with round tables with 8-10 chairs. Please refer to your confirmation form to review your room set-up requests. Requests made after the confirmation form is due may not be honored.
How many handouts should I provide? Concurrent sessions at the annual conference generally range from 25 to 1,500 attendees. Though we are not able to know for sure the number of attendees that will attend your session, we will provide each session chair or organizer with the size of the room for your session. Should you run out of handouts, please offer to post them on your Web site or NAFSA's Web site, or to e-mail them to session attendees.
Can I ship my materials and handouts to the Convention Center? Please ship your materials and handouts to your hotel to pick up upon your arrival.
Where can I make copies of my materials? There are photocopying centers located within and nearby the Washington Convention Center.
Do I need to register for the conference? All member presenters are required to register for the annual conference. Please direct any questions to sessions@nafsa.org.
I will need a visa to attend the annual conference. Can I get a letter from NAFSA to support my visa application? Please e-mail conference@nafsa.org to request a letter to support your visa application. Requests must be received by Friday, April 18, 2008. Clearly state your purpose in attending, your complete name, organization, job title, mailing address, fax number, and e-mail address. Please check with your local U.S. Consulate to allow sufficient time for visa processing. Your request for a letter of invitation to attend the NAFSA Annual Conference does not guarantee you will obtain a visa.
Will my session be audiotaped? Please refer to your confirmation form to review whether you agreed to have your session recorded. The permission of every presenter must be received in order to record a session. Should you wish to withdraw your permission to record the session, please e-mail sessions@nafsa.org.
How can I receive a copy of my recorded session? Session recordings are available for purchase following the conference. Please refer to your conference program for details. Session presenters and chairs are not eligible for complimentary recordings.
What publicity will my session receive? Each session is listed in the conference program booklet that every attendee receives onsite. Additionally, sessions are listed on the NAFSA Web site in advance of the conference to aid conference attendees in planning their time at the conference.
What tips can you provide to help me improve the presentation of my session? Please review the handout developed to help presenters improve their sessions. View the handout (160kb ) Additional tips for presenters and session organizers will be posted occasionally as the conference draws nearer. Please check this Web site for hints in the future.