Presenting Author and Moderator FAQs

Last Updated: March 14, 2023

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions specifically for presenting authors and moderators at the 2023 CSTE Annual Conference. We are currently planning for all conference sessions to be held in-person; however, we will continue to monitor circumstances and public health recommendations for group gatherings. The conference website will be updated on an ongoing basis, so check back often for new information. 

Presenting Author and Moderator Invitations

Do I need to register for the conference in order to present or moderate? 

Yes, all presenting authors and moderators must register for the conference and pay related fees in order to present or moderate at the conference, as well as access the online agenda and app. CSTE does not provide a travel allowance, honorarium, or reimbursement for presenting authors or moderators attending the conference. 

When and how will I be notified of my abstract status? 

Formal letters of invitation are sent by e-mail from the CSTE National Office by Friday, March 24, 2023. All authors receive a formal communication regarding the Program Planning Committee’s determination; however, only presenting authors will have system access to accept or decline an invitation. Presenting authors should respond to the invitation online in their Speaker Center no later than 11:59PM EDT on Friday, April 28, 2023. A direct link to your personal Speaker Center can be found in your acceptance e-mail.  

If I am not able to accept the invitation to present, what should I do? 

Submission of an abstract implies that presenting authors are committed to making the presentation at the conference. Should circumstances change and a presenting author is unable to attend, then the author is responsible for finding a substitute presenting author. 

Withdrawal or decline to present an accepted abstract must be made no later than 11:59PM EDT on Friday, April 28, 2023 in your Speaker Center. You will receive an email confirming your received response. Withdrawals made after this date or failure to present an accepted abstract could result in disqualification from presenting an abstract at future conferences. Presenting authors that fail to respond by 11:59PM EDT on Friday, April 28, 2023 will be considered accepted and expected to present. 

Speaker Center & Presentation Upload 

What email should I use to access the Speaker Center? 

The same email and password that was used for the online abstract system should be used to access your Speaker Center. Speakers must use the same email address for abstract submission, Speaker Center, and conference registration! Only presenting authors and moderators will receive access to their Speaker Center. 

What is the deadline for presentation upload? 

PowerPoint slide presentations should be uploaded by the advance deadline in your Speaker Center no later than 11:59PM EDT on Friday, June 9, 2023. Pre-recording of your presentation is not allowed or required. After the advance deadline, PowerPoint slides may only be uploaded or updated on site in the speaker ready room no later than 24 hours prior to the start of your session.  

What are acceptable file formats for presentation slides? 

The acceptable file formats are .ppt, .pptx, or .pdf of compatibility with the presentation management and recording software, “Podium”. If you are uploading in Speaker Center before arriving onsite, the file size limit is 200mb. If your file is larger than 200mb, please upload your presentation file onsite in the Speaker Ready Room (Room 150AB at the Salt Palace Convention Center). 

How should I upload by presentation if I need to make changes after the upload deadline? 

After the advance deadline of June 9, 2023, presentations may only be uploaded or updated on-site in the Speaker Ready Room, no later than 24 hours prior to the start of your session. Do not upload or update a presentation in the meeting room. You may preview your presentation in Speaker Center if it is uploaded by the advance deadline. Presenters should plan and prepare their presentation according to upload deadlines; however, in an emergency situation, a presentation can be uploaded or updated in the meeting room. Save a copy of your presentation on a USB/flash drive to bring with you to the conference in event of technical difficulties or should you have changes to a previously submitted presentation. 

How can I share handouts with attendees? 

Handouts are not a requirement; however if you want to distribute handouts during your session, we recommend you bring plenty of copies with you.  

What should I do if I forgot my password? 

The same email and password that was used for the online abstract submission should be used to access your Speaker Center. If you forgot your password, use the Reset Password link on the portal. CSTE staff do not have access to your password, so you will be required to utilize that link if needed. 

Whom can I contact for technical assistance with the online abstract system? 

For system support, technical support can be provided through the contact form linked in the Speaker Center.   

If I am a workshop presenter, should I upload my presentation in Speaker Center? 

No, workshop presenters do not upload their presentation in Speaker Center as workshops are not abstract driven sessions. Please see your CSTE staff workshop lead for questions on workshop presentations.   

Session Recording 

What breakout sessions will be recorded? 

All breakout presentations will be recorded for registered attendee post-conference viewing, so ensure that your presentation has been approved by your agency, as CSTE is not able to modify session recordings.  

Will networking and roundtable sessions be recorded? 

No, networking and roundtable sessions are not recorded as they are intended for live discussion.  

How much time do I have for my presentation in the breakout session? 

Breakout presentation times are based on your presentation format for the breakout session. Standard breakout sessions consist of five (5) to six (6) 10-minute presentations. Lightning sessions consist of up to eleven (11) 5-minute presentations. Specific presentation times can be found in your Speaker Center. Once available, presentation times will also be available on the online agenda and mobile app. 

Changes to Accepted Abstract 

How do I change the presenting author? 

You may edit the presenting author in your Speaker Center no later than 11:59PM EDT on Friday, April 28, 2023.   

If I would like to withdraw my abstract, what should I do? 

Withdrawal or decline to present an accepted abstract must be made no later than 11:59PM EDT on Friday, April 28, 2023 in your Speaker Center. You will receive an email confirming your received response. Withdrawals made after this date or failure to present an accepted abstract could result in disqualification from presenting an abstract at future conferences.  

How do I make corrections to my abstract? 

If your abstract is accepted for presentation, minor content any author changes may be made in the online abstract system no later than 11:59PM EDT on Friday, June 9, 2023.

General FAQs

Can more than one author present an abstract in a session?  

For Breakout and Poster sessions, no, only one (1) presenting author may present the abstract. For Roundtable sessions, yes, up to two (2) presenting authors can present an abstract. Co-authors who  contributed substantially to the study design, statistical analysis, or interpretation of the abstract may be listed within the abstract, but these should be limited to no more than 15 people.  

Will presenters receive any trainings? 

There will not be live hosted presenter trainings. Presenting authors and moderators may watch the following training video to learn more about the Speaker Center: [LINK TO VIDEO OR EMBED VIDEO].  

Presenting authors and moderators may watch the following training video to learn more about session and presentation types and how to prepare for their live presentations: [LINK TO VIDEO OR EMBED VIDEO 

What dimensions should my poster be? 

Poster presentation materials must fit within the poster board display area of 4ft tall x 8ft wide. The board is oriented in the landscape position (long dimension is horizontal). 

Will there be any virtual sessions? 

No, we are currently planning for all conference sessions to be held in-person; however, we will continue to monitor circumstances and public health recommendations for group gatherings.  

Can I present virtually if I have an emergency or schedule change? 

No, presenters and moderators may not participate virtually in any breakout, roundtable, or poster session, including workshops as all sessions are planned for in-person attendance.