Poster Presentation Guidelines

Please read all information carefully before arriving at the meeting. These guidelines will help ensure that your presentation goes smoothly.

  • What does it mean to be a poster presenter? Authors giving poster presentations will have the opportunity to display their research using text and figures (tables, photos, graphics, etc.) displayed on poster boards and engage with attendees interested in their work. The Exhibit & Poster Hall will contain thousands of posters organized by topic, and each presenter will be assigned a specific date and time to present at their poster.
  • New in 2024: Presenters will be assigned to a specific day to display and present their poster at ASHG 2024. Each poster will only be displayed for one day and a new set of posters will be available each day the Exhibit & Poster Hall is open.
  • Presenters are required to register as scientific attendees. Poster presenters are not eligible to register as one-day attendees, a guest, or with an exhibitor staff registration.
  • We encourage you to share your excitement for your presentation at ASHG 2024 on social media using the ASHG Social Media Toolkit.
Poster Size and Layout
  • Each presenter will have their own poster board.
  • On-site poster boards will be 4 feet (48”) tall by 8 feet (96”) wide, mounted on stands. Poster materials may not exceed this size.
    • The recommended poster size is 3 feet (36”) tall x 6 feet (72”) wide.
  • This is a landscape/horizontal format.
  • Remote presentations will not be permitted as an alternative to in-person presentations, however, poster presenters will have the option to upload a supplemental digital poster for attendees to view. Upload information to come in October.
Poster Printing
  • Authors should bring their posters with them to ASHG 2024 or use poster printing services, outlined below. There will be no remote presentations.
  • Prepare your poster on laminated poster paper, fabric, or cardboard, allowing for space to mount it on the poster board with push pins.
  • Bring a smaller version of your poster on 8½” x 11″ size paper as well as a copy of the poster on a USB thumb drive to be printed onsite in case your poster does not arrive with your checked luggage. Many airlines require that poster tubes be checked rather than brought as carry-on luggage. Please check with your airline prior to traveling.
  • Poster Printing (2 options below): 
    • PosterPresentations.com: ASHG has arranged discounted pricing with PosterPresentations.com for your poster printing needs. This service is optional but provides an easy and convenient way to prepare your poster for the ASHG Annual Meeting. Visit  https://www.posterpresentations.com/groups/ASHG/ashg-poster-printing-service.html and use code ASHG10 at checkout.
      • Posters can be shipped directly to you or any location you choose. Refer to the shipping instructions and printing schedules on the webpage.
      • Deadline to submit to ensure timely delivery: October 11.
    • Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center Hotel
      • To place your order, send an email directly to the store: usa5009@fedex.com. Include pertinent details (e.g., customer contact, etc.).
      • Posters can be picked up from the FedEx Office located in the Lobby of the Hyatt Regency Denver. The office is to the left of the front desk.
      • Store hours:
        • Monday-Friday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
        • Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
        • Sunday: Closed
      • Store contact info: 303-534-2198 (option 8) or email at usa5009@fedex.com.
      • Deadline to submit to guarantee a 24- to 48-hour turnaround time: October 29.
    • Disclaimer: ASHG is not responsible for the poster printing services provided by FedEx or PosterPresentations.com.
Mounting, Presentation, and Removal
  • New this year, presenters are assigned to a specific day to display and present their poster at ASHG 2024. Each poster will only be displayed for one day and a new set of posters will be available each day the Exhibit & Poster Hall is open.
    • Remote presentations will not be permitted, however, poster presenters will have the option to upload a supplemental digital poster for attendees to view.
  • Authors must place posters on the assigned poster board by 10:00am and remove them at 4:30pm on the day of their presentation. Display materials not removed by 5:00pm will be discarded.
  • Poster boards will be pre-numbered, and floor plans will be available onsite to help you find your poster board. The number (to be sent in a confirmation email) indicates the board you are to use for displaying your poster.
  • Authors must be present at their boards for the duration of their scheduled presentation time (2:30-4:30pm).
    • Please find your scheduled poster time in your abstract confirmation email sent in mid-August or in the online planner.
  • A very limited number of pushpins will be available on-site for handing your poster. Remember to bring your own pushpins (in your checked luggage).
Poster Schedule

Wednesday
9:30-10:00 am: All Wednesday presenting authors place posters on the assigned poster board.
9:30 am-4:30 pm: Posters available for general viewing.
2:30-4:30 pm: Poster Session I (authors present at posters)*
4:30 pm: Exhibit & Poster Hall closed. All authors remove posters from boards. Posters not removed will be discarded.

Thursday
9:30-10:00 am: All Thursday presenting authors place posters on the assigned poster board.

9:30 am-4:30 pm: Posters available for general viewing.
2:30-4:30 pm: Poster Session II (authors present at posters)*
4:30 pm: Exhibit & Poster Hall closed. All authors remove posters from boards. Posters not removed will be discarded.

Friday
9:30-10:00 am: All Friday presenting authors place posters on the assigned poster board.

9:30 am-4:30 pm: Posters available for general viewing.
2:30-4:30 pm: Poster Session III (authors present at posters)*
4:30 pm: Exhibit & Poster Hall closed. All authors remove posters from boards. Posters not removed will be discarded.

Poster Content and Design Tips

Content Requirements

  • ASHG requires disclosure of gene names and sharing of research data so that findings can be replicated and other investigators with similar data can test findings against their own. Authors who do not provide gene names will be subject to sanctions as determined by the Program Committee.
  • When presenting data and health information (including photos), all presenters must have informed consent compliant with human subjects and applicable HIPAA regulation.
  • If the abstract has been previously published, authors must indicate on their poster the date and publication.

Designing Effective & Accessible Posters

  • We do not have a required poster presentation template; however, one recommended format is the APA modern format.
  • Identify 2-3 principal messages you must convey. Choose a title that captures your main point.
  • Prepare a heading at the top of your poster indicating the abstract title, authors, and affiliations.
  • Lettering should be at least 1″ (2.54 cm) high and readable from distances of at least 3′ (90 cm). Sans-serif fonts are recommended.
  • Select a high-contrast color scheme. Simple use of color can add emphasis, but authors should ensure everything can be understood without color in cases of color-blindness.
  • Summarize current research in graphic form whenever possible; use charts, tables, graphs, pictures, etc., and minimize the amount of text.
    • Provide information in smaller type below the heading. Details of methodology should be brief and should be placed at the end of the legend. Keep visuals simple and clear.
  • Provide a QR code or a short url that links to your full paper. Be sure to provide alt text for any images.
  • Arrange materials in columns and use ‘white space’ to help direct readers logically through your poster.
    • Be wary of overcrowding the poster.
  • Posters should be self-explanatory but not comprehensive. You will supplement and elaborate during your conversations with other attendees.
Tips for a Successful ASHG Poster Presentation
  • Make your poster inviting and visually appealing. Use your poster to highlight your project. Try not to fill it with too many details. Pictures/figures are always preferred to text, especially to catch the attention of those walking by skimming posters. Present only the key results and use smaller subheadings with the key takeaways. QR codes can be a great way to link your audience to a preprint or other details left off the poster.
  • Check your font sizes for readability. If you aren’t sure about the readability of your font size, print out a document with text printed in various font sizes. Tape it to the wall and stand back 5-6 feet to see what’s readable—this should be your minimum font size for headers/results. Font sizes visible at 2-3 feet can be used for other text.
  • Be welcoming and engage your audience! Stand to the side of your poster so people can see it as they walk by, be enthusiastic when you are speaking with anyone who stops by. Smile and make eye contact. Be yourself and genuine.
  • Prepare and practice your 1-minute overview of your poster. Think about your poster as the conversation starter. Remember, there are a lot of posters and a short window of time for the poster session. A 1-minute overview will provide enough details about your project and still provide them with ample time to ask questions. A typical 1-miniute overview should include the research question/topic, what you found, and why it is important. Tell a story!
  • Know your audience! Don’t be afraid to ask the person visiting your poster if they are familiar with particular concepts so that you know the level of information to talk about
  • Acknowledge those waiting to speak to you. If you see others waiting to talk to you while you are speaking to others, acknowledge them with a smile or nod so they know you see them.
  • Welcome the feedback you get. Be prepared for discussion and try not to be defensive in the face of criticism. It’s also ok to say you do not know the answer to a question.
Photo Policy

Attendees may take photos of posters if the poster author agrees. Authors who do not want their posters to be photographed will have to indicate as such on their posters, using the image supplied by ASHG. This image should be placed at the top right corner of the poster at a minimum size of 3” (7.62 cm) x 3” (7.62 cm). Please refer to all Annual Meeting Policies.

Questions & Accessibility Requests

If you require accessibility accommodations/services (such as needing a tall chair/stool), please fill out this form no later than October 1 so we can make arrangements.

If you have questions about the program or accessibility services, please contact meetings@ashg.org.

 

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