conference presentation summary

30 Examples: How to Conclude a Presentation (Effective Closing Techniques)

By Status.net Editorial Team on March 4, 2024 — 9 minutes to read

Ending a presentation on a high note is a skill that can set you apart from the rest. It’s the final chance to leave an impact on your audience, ensuring they walk away with the key messages embedded in their minds. This moment is about driving your points home and making sure they resonate. Crafting a memorable closing isn’t just about summarizing key points, though that’s part of it, but also about providing value that sticks with your listeners long after they’ve left the room.

Crafting Your Core Message

To leave a lasting impression, your presentation’s conclusion should clearly reflect your core message. This is your chance to reinforce the takeaways and leave the audience thinking about your presentation long after it ends.

Identifying Key Points

Start by recognizing what you want your audience to remember. Think about the main ideas that shaped your talk. Make a list like this:

• The problem your presentation addresses.
• The evidence that supports your argument.
• The solution you propose or the action you want the audience to take.

These key points become the pillars of your core message.

Contextualizing the Presentation

Provide context by briefly relating back to the content of the whole presentation. For example:

• Reference a statistic you shared in the opening, and how it ties into the conclusion.
• Mention a case study that underlines the importance of your message.

Connecting these elements gives your message cohesion and makes your conclusion resonate with the framework of your presentation.

30 Example Phrases: How to Conclude a Presentation

• 1. “In summary, let’s revisit the key takeaways from today’s presentation.”
• 2. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s move forward together.”
• 3. “That brings us to the end. I’m open to any questions you may have.”
• 4. “I’ll leave you with this final thought to ponder as we conclude.”
• 5. “Let’s recap the main points before we wrap up.”
• 6. “I appreciate your engagement. Now, let’s turn these ideas into action.”
• 7. “We’ve covered a lot today. To conclude, remember these crucial points.”
• 8. “As we reach the end, I’d like to emphasize our call to action.”
• 9. “Before we close, let’s quickly review what we’ve learned.”
• 10. “Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to our next steps.”
• 11. “In closing, I’d like to thank everyone for their participation.”
• 12. “Let’s conclude with a reminder of the impact we can make together.”
• 13. “To wrap up our session, here’s a brief summary of our discussion.”
• 14. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to present to you. Any final thoughts?”
• 15. “And that’s a wrap. I welcome any final questions or comments.”
• 16. “As we conclude, let’s remember the objectives we’ve set today.”
• 17. “Thank you for your time. Let’s apply these insights to achieve success.”
• 18. “In conclusion, your feedback is valuable, and I’m here to listen.”
• 19. “Before we part, let’s take a moment to reflect on our key messages.”
• 20. “I’ll end with an invitation for all of us to take the next step.”
• 21. “As we close, let’s commit to the goals we’ve outlined today.”
• 22. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s keep the conversation going.”
• 23. “In conclusion, let’s make a difference, starting now.”
• 24. “I’ll leave you with these final words to consider as we end our time together.”
• 25. “Before we conclude, remember that change starts with our actions today.”
• 26. “Thank you for the lively discussion. Let’s continue to build on these ideas.”
• 27. “As we wrap up, I encourage you to reach out with any further questions.”
• 28. “In closing, I’d like to express my gratitude for your valuable input.”
• 29. “Let’s conclude on a high note and take these learnings forward.”
• 30. “Thank you for your time today. Let’s end with a commitment to progress.”

Summarizing the Main Points

When you reach the end of your presentation, summarizing the main points helps your audience retain the important information you’ve shared. Crafting a memorable summary enables your listeners to walk away with a clear understanding of your message.

Effective Methods of Summarization

To effectively summarize your presentation, you need to distill complex information into concise, digestible pieces. Start by revisiting the overarching theme of your talk and then narrow down to the core messages. Use plain language and imagery to make the enduring ideas stick. Here are some examples of how to do this:

• Use analogies that relate to common experiences to recap complex concepts.
• Incorporate visuals or gestures that reinforce your main arguments.

The Rule of Three

The Rule of Three is a classic writing and communication principle. It means presenting ideas in a trio, which is a pattern that’s easy for people to understand and remember. For instance, you might say, “Our plan will save time, cut costs, and improve quality.” This structure has a pleasing rhythm and makes the content more memorable. Some examples include:

• “This software is fast, user-friendly, and secure.”
• Pointing out a product’s “durability, affordability, and eco-friendliness.”

Reiterating the Main Points

Finally, you want to circle back to the key takeaways of your presentation. Rephrase your main points without introducing new information. This reinforcement supports your audience’s memory and understanding of the material. You might summarize key takeaways like this:

• Mention the problem you addressed, the solution you propose, and the benefits of this solution.
• Highlighting the outcomes of adopting your strategy: higher efficiency, greater satisfaction, and increased revenue.

Creating a Strong Conclusion

The final moments of your presentation are your chance to leave your audience with a powerful lasting impression. A strong conclusion is more than just summarizing—it’s your opportunity to invoke thought, inspire action, and make your message memorable.

Incorporating a Call to Action

A call to action is your parting request to your audience. You want to inspire them to take a specific action or think differently as a result of what they’ve heard. To do this effectively:

• Be clear about what you’re asking.
• Explain why their action is needed.
• Make it as simple as possible for them to take the next steps.

Example Phrases:

• “Start making a difference today by…”
• “Join us in this effort by…”
• “Take the leap and commit to…”

Leaving a Lasting Impression

End your presentation with something memorable. This can be a powerful quote, an inspirational statement, or a compelling story that underscores your main points. The goal here is to resonate with your audience on an emotional level so that your message sticks with them long after they leave.

• “In the words of [Influential Person], ‘…'”
• “Imagine a world where…”
• “This is more than just [Topic]; it’s about…”

Enhancing Audience Engagement

To hold your audience’s attention and ensure they leave with a lasting impression of your presentation, fostering interaction is key.

Q&A Sessions

It’s important to integrate a Q&A session because it allows for direct communication between you and your audience. This interactive segment helps clarify any uncertainties and encourages active participation. Plan for this by designating a time slot towards the end of your presentation and invite questions that promote discussion.

• “I’d love to hear your thoughts; what questions do you have?”
• “Let’s dive into any questions you might have. Who would like to start?”
• “Feel free to ask any questions, whether they’re clarifications or deeper inquiries about the topic.”

Encouraging Audience Participation

Getting your audience involved can transform a good presentation into a great one. Use open-ended questions that provoke thought and allow audience members to reflect on how your content relates to them. Additionally, inviting volunteers to participate in a demonstration or share their experiences keeps everyone engaged and adds a personal touch to your talk.

• “Could someone give me an example of how you’ve encountered this in your work?”
• “I’d appreciate a volunteer to help demonstrate this concept. Who’s interested?”
• “How do you see this information impacting your daily tasks? Let’s discuss!”

Delivering a Persuasive Ending

At the end of your presentation, you have the power to leave a lasting impact on your audience. A persuasive ending can drive home your key message and encourage action.

Sales and Persuasion Tactics

When you’re concluding a presentation with the goal of selling a product or idea, employ carefully chosen sales and persuasion tactics. One method is to summarize the key benefits of your offering, reminding your audience why it’s important to act. For example, if you’ve just presented a new software tool, recap how it will save time and increase productivity. Another tactic is the ‘call to action’, which should be clear and direct, such as “Start your free trial today to experience the benefits first-hand!” Furthermore, using a touch of urgency, like “Offer expires soon!”, can nudge your audience to act promptly.

Final Impressions and Professionalism

Your closing statement is a chance to solidify your professional image and leave a positive impression. It’s important to display confidence and poise. Consider thanking your audience for their time and offering to answer any questions. Make sure to end on a high note by summarizing your message in a concise and memorable way. If your topic was on renewable energy, you might conclude by saying, “Let’s take a leap towards a greener future by adopting these solutions today.” This reinforces your main points and encourages your listeners to think or act differently when they leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative strategies for ending a presentation memorably.

To end your presentation in a memorable way, consider incorporating a call to action that engages your audience to take the next step. Another strategy is to finish with a thought-provoking question or a surprising fact that resonates with your listeners.

Can you suggest some powerful quotes suitable for concluding a presentation?

Yes, using a quote can be very effective. For example, Maya Angelou’s “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” can reinforce the emotional impact of your presentation.

What is an effective way to write a conclusion that summarizes a presentation?

An effective conclusion should recap the main points succinctly, highlighting what you want your audience to remember. A good way to conclude is by restating your thesis and then briefly summarizing the supporting points you made.

As a student, how can I leave a strong impression with my presentation’s closing remarks?

To leave a strong impression, consider sharing a personal anecdote related to your topic that demonstrates passion and conviction. This helps humanize your content and makes the message more relatable to your audience.

How can I appropriately thank my audience at the close of my presentation?

A simple and sincere expression of gratitude is always appropriate. You might say, “Thank you for your attention and engagement today,” to convey appreciation while also acknowledging their participation.

What are some examples of a compelling closing sentence in a presentation?

A compelling closing sentence could be something like, “Together, let’s take the leap towards a greener future,” if you’re presenting on sustainability. This sentence is impactful, calls for united action, and leaves your audience with a clear message.

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11 Tips To Make Your Conference Presentation Outstanding

Table of contents.

The world of conferences are great opportunities for like-minded individuals to come together and share their common denominator interest with one another.

Conferences provide attendees with an opportunity to learn and share with others who share similar experiences or interests all under one roof. Conferences are usually large in nature bringing people from across the country, or even across the world, together.

If you find yourself presenting at an upcoming conference, the honest truth is the stakes are high. Oftentimes, conferences have a lot of people in attendance. When you have your moment to shine to share your presentation with a large crowd of audience members, you want it to go flawlessly.

Truthfully, so do we.

That’s why we’ve put together this in-depth blog post to help you navigate the world of conferences and how to master your conference presentation with 11 actionable tips.

Are You Presenting At An Upcoming Conference? We Should Talk

What are conference presentations.

First, let’s get an understanding of what a conference presentation is.

A conference presentation is an opportunity for people to communicate with a large audience of like-minded individuals typically congregating around a common interest or topic.

A conference can vary in length from a one, full day event, all the way up to a week-long program. Conferences are usually a great opportunity for these like-minded individuals to network and learn from one another on new topics, research or major events.

Now that we know what a conference is, there are several common types of conferences you might encounter during your professional career.

Let’s take a look at the common types of conferences below.

Common Types Of Conferences

Although these are some of the common types of conferences you’ll encounter, this isn’t a fully finalized list. There are more types of conferences than simply what’s mentioned below.

However, you’re more than likely to encounter one of the following whether you’re just entering the industry, a student who’s networking or even if you’re passionate on a certain topic and like to be involved in the community.

Academic Conferences

Academic conferences are opportunities for researchers to present their work with fellow peers and colleagues. They’re important because they provide an opportunity for academics from multiple institutions to connect at a single location and network.

Academic conferences can be divided further into professional conferences . Professional academic conferences are geared more towards professors and academics who have spent more time in their field of study such as social sciences or medicine.

On the other hand, undergraduate programs may still hold conferences for academia but these are more geared towards undergraduate students who might just be sharing their semester research presentation.

You might be thinking to yourself, “This just sounds like a research presentation .”

Although you’re not wrong, you’re only partly right.

Research presentations are only one part of the overall academic conference. An academic conference is a combination of multiple research presentations combined into one event. You might have multiple academics speaking at a conference sharing their research presentations, but one does not equal the other.

Annual General Meetings

Shifting gears to the more business side of things, another form of conferences are annual general meetings.

Annual general meetings, or AGM for short, are typically mandatory, yearly gatherings of a company’s interested shareholders which might consist of investors and employees.

At an AGM, directors of a company share with the shareholders the annual report which covers key topics of interest to the shareholders. These key points might include the company’s financial performance, quarterly reports, upcoming yearly vision, plans for expansion, the company’s performance and strategy.

Shareholders who have voting rights often vote on current issues facing the company and which direction the company should pursue. Some of these decisions might include who is to be appointed onto the board of directors, what executive compensation will be, dividend payments and the selection of auditors.

Conventions

Like most conferences, conventions are large meetings consisting of people with a share ideology or profession. You often hear of conventions in terms of entertainment or politics.

On the entertainment side of things, conventions are gatherings where people of the same interest come together to network and immerse themselves in the unifying experience of enjoying the same things as those around you. Some notable conventions you might’ve heard of are Comic Con, Fan Expo and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Here, you’ll find people sharing a mutual enjoyment of entertainment indulgences.

Political conventions or Party Conferences are the other form of conventions you’ll often hear about.

These are often held by the respective political party where members of said political party come together to network and most importantly, vote on a party leader or delegate.

Press Conferences

The smallest form of a conference you’ll encounter is a press conference.

A press conference is an organized event to officially distribute information from a specified spokesperson. Unlike other public relation tactics such as a press release which is still a tool to disseminate information to the public, a press conference is an alternate public relation tactic where media is selectively invited to attend the event to get the information.

Press conferences are often smaller in size due to the shrinking landscape of media outlets. Additionally, press conferences are usually high-stake events usually having highly notable individuals in attendance or presenting. To limit the risk and maximize the safety of these VIPs, press conferences are usually more exclusive.

This is why press conferences are often reserved for bigger news stories and why journalists who are new to the industry try very hard to get on the good side of these conference organizers. Due to the sheer exclusivity of the event, the opportunity to get a unique news story is greater.

Product Launches

The last conference we’ll go over is a product launch.

A product launch, much like a press conference, is another great public relations tactic used to build anticipation and gain the buy-in of the public. They are a coordinated effort to demonstrate new products soon to be released to the general public.

Famous product launches can be seen executed by the world’s top companies such as Apple, Tesla and Disney.

These companies often use product launches to garner attention for an upcoming line of products that will soon be available to the public. The main goal of product launches in recent years is to drive pre-order sales which help raise capital to bring the product development over the finish line without needing to expend any further owned-capital of the company.

Conference Presentation Tips

No matter the conference you find yourself attending and more than likely presenting at, conference presentation tips remain the same. You can apply the following 11 important points to any conference.

With some slight adjustments to each, you’ll soon be a master of conference talk, being able to command any large room of people and retain the audience’s attention with ease.

1 - Do Your Homework

Before you begin putting together your conference presentation slide deck, you need to first do your homework. With any good finalized product, it got that way thanks to the preparation which went into it ahead of time and your presentation is no exception.

What you might want to consider doing before you begin putting together your slide deck is answering the following questions and drafting an outline.

What key message do you want the audience to take away after the presentation?

What do you want them to feel?

How do you want them to act?

Can I achieve these results with the information I already have?

By asking yourself these questions and acting appropriately based on the answer, you’ll be setting yourself up for a good presentation.

2 - Understand Your Audience

Knowing your audience isn’t just about who they are, it’s about understanding what they’re interested in, how they retain information and what motivates them.

Understanding your audience is the first step of mastering presentation psychology and without it, you won’t have a strong foundation for your presentation. You could have the most visually appealing presentation but if it doesn’t resonate with the audience, it won’t matter.

So before you go ahead and start building a presentation based on what you think your audience is interested in, you should really come to a solidified conclusion and know what your audience is interested in.

3 - Know Your Timing

Presentations range in different lengths. You’ll encounter presentations as short as one minute to others that last over an hour. Start preparing your presentation by knowing what your time limit is.

You can typically find this information out by contacting an organizer of the conference.

4 - Use Visual Aids

Visual aids are tools to help you communicate visually.

Some presentation visual aids you might want to consider using are graphs, tables, pictures and videos. If you really want to be seen as an expert presenter, you should even be focusing on the colors you use for your slides.

Now, it might seem like you need a creative degree to master all this, but the reality is you don’t. Luckily, you can outsource your presentation design to a presentation design agency like Presentation Geeks who not only create top-tier presentation slide decks used by Fortune 500 companies, they also can provide presentation consulting services .

Don’t forget, you yourself are a visual communication tool as well. Be sure to dress appropriately for your upcoming conference presentations because you want to make a good impression. Let’s take a political convention as an example. If you’re running as a candidate to be the leader of a major political party, you want to make sure you peak the audience’s interest and gain their trust by dressing appropriately as superficial as that sounds.

5 - Keep It Simple

Don’t overcomplicate your presentation, especially the slide deck.

It’s crucial to keep your presentation, especially the visual aids portion as simple as possible because too much information will confuse the audience and they will likely forget what you’ve said.

Focus on the key details in your slides and use them as supplementary tools. Many presenters will think they need to have a grand conference presentation with fancy technology, transitional devices and other outlandish tactics. The reality is, you want your information to be easily understood by keeping it simple.

6 - Practice, Practice, Practice

The way to become a better presenter is through practice.

You want to ensure you command the room with your confidence. You won’t be doing that if you’re reading from a paper aloud.

You need to ensure you’re confident. Practice your conference presentation multiple times and consider recording yourself as you do. You’ll pick up on your body language and analyze how well you’re using your body language to communicate what you’re saying. Scan the audience and share your eye contact with everyone. Don’t forget to speak clearly and slowly

7 - Prepare For The Worst

Murphy’s Law states that what can go wrong, will go wrong. You should keep this theory in the back of your mind and expect the worst to happen.

Just because the worst can and probably will happen, doesn’t mean there isn’t a solution. That is why you need to prepare for the worst.

You should be able to present all your conference presentations if the venue changes at the last minute, if you don’t have the technology you were expecting to use, if you forgot your handouts like a conference paper. You should be prepared for the worst but have a solution.

8 - Know Your Space

Let’s say your fortunate, which you probably will be, and the venue doesn’t change last minute. That’s great! Use this to your advantage and get familiar with your space.

Ahead of your conference presentations, you should go and scope out the area you will be presenting to get an idea of how you can walk around, what technology will be present, what the lighting will be light, etc.

There are so many areas of concerns and unknowns that can be addressed by doing a little bit of field assignment homework ahead of time.

9 - Go Beyond The Slides - Engage Your Audience

An audience will more likely remember what you have to say and feel connected by being engaged.

You can engage your audience by targeting more senses of the human body. If you only target their auditory and visual senses, you’ll eventually lose them. Walk through the crowd if you can. Have the audience move their necks, stretch and move!

10 - Get The Audience To Participate By Encouraging Questions

Good presenting is one-way communication.

Excellent presenting is two-way communication.

Another way to go beyond the slides and your one-way presentation speech by giving an opportunity for the audience to ask further questions.

This is not only beneficial to the audience to help them get a better understanding of your topic, but it will also help you to answer questions.

It gets you to reflect on your presentation from an angle you might not have thought of before. Out of all the questions audience members will ask, there is usually one or two awe-inspiring questions that get even the presenter to take a moment to reflect.

Use these moments to better your presentation for the future.

11 - Evaluate & Refine

Speaking of making your presentation better for the future, remember to evaluate and refine your presentation and presentation skills.

A true master of any profession or skill knows they truly aren’t a master because learning never stops. You should take the same ideology and apply it to your own presentation skills.

Whether it’s self-reflection or a survey of the audience after your conference presentation, try and evaluate how well you presented and refine your future presentation based on the presentation feedback you received.

The summary of everything mentioned above if applied correctly will result in your being a master of conference presentations. The great thing about these techniques is they can be applied to any type of conference presentation.

Not only that, but if you understand the basic fundamentals of presenting, you can begin exploring other realms of presentations. To really take your presentation skills to the next level, enlisting the help of a presentation design agency such as Presentation Geeks will help you surpass the competition.

Author:  Content Team

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• How to Write an Effective Conference Summary: A Comprehensive Guide
• Not classified

How to Write an Effective Conference Summary

Writing a conference report is not just about putting words on paper; it’s about distilling the essence of an event to engage and inform your audience. To craft a compelling conference summary, start by asking yourself crucial questions: What is the purpose of the summary? Who is the target audience? Is it a brief one-hour keynote or an extensive 5-day conference with multiple parallel sessions? Tailoring your approach to these considerations ensures that your summary serves its intended purpose.

I still remember about 20 years ago. I had just started my first job at the Idiap research institute after my studies. I discovered that young researchers who had worked hard on their thesis would go and present their work at international scientific conferences and come back with a 5-line report: “I liked the presentation of this paper, this one and this one again”. And that was it. I thought there had to be another way, in addition to the “proceedings” containing all the peer-reviewed articles, to keep track of these events. And so, in 2007, the Klewel company was born. But now let’s get back to the topic of this post: How to Write an Effective Conference Summary.

Setting the Stage: The 5 Ws and QQOQCP

Begin by covering the basics using the 5 Ws method (Who, What, Where, When, Why), with the addition of ‘How’ and sometimes ‘How much’ (represented by the acronym QQOQCP). These questions provide a framework for presenting essential information and setting the scene for your readers.

For instance, if you’re summarizing a one-day conference with approximately 10 speakers, consider incorporating the key details using the 5 Ws and QQOQCP to create a well-rounded overview.

Record and Repeat: Maximizing Conference Content

If possible, record the conference to facilitate accurate note-taking and ensure that every nuance is captured. This practice is particularly valuable for events featuring multiple speakers, as it allows you to revisit and accurately represent each presentation.

While attending the conference, take diligent notes. Utilize effective techniques such as transcribing directly onto your computer. Conference reporting demands technical proficiency, and we’ll provide you with some helpful pointers to navigate this process.

Structuring Your Report

Simplify the process by replicating the program structure in your summary. If the conference offers video content, leverage it by referring to on-demand videos for each presentation. This not only streamlines the summary but also directs readers to additional resources.

Uncover Key Insights: Interviews and Participant Feedback

Tap into the wealth of knowledge possessed by conference organizers. Conduct interviews to glean insights into influential speakers, emerging concepts, and trends within the field. This journalist-like approach enriches your summary by providing a comprehensive understanding of the event.

Engage with participants and speakers to identify key points and new features. Encourage them to share their perspectives on the most impactful aspects of the conference. A journalist’s knack for asking insightful questions can reveal the pulse of the field.

Innovative Formats: Moving Beyond Standard Text

Consider experimenting with various formats for your conference summary. While the traditional text document is effective, explore innovative options like after-movies. A well-crafted after-movie captures the event’s atmosphere, offering a visual and emotive experience that text alone cannot convey.

Some conferences enlist professional illustrators to create visual summaries in the form of drawings. While this may seem unconventional, coupling illustrations with concise text provides a panoramic view of the event without delving into the specifics of each presentation.

The Takeaway: Share the Essence

Ultimately, the goal is to distill the most crucial points into a “Take home” message. By sharing these key insights, your conference summary becomes a valuable resource that not only informs but also inspires new participants to engage with future events.

In summary, writing an effective conference summary requires a strategic approach, incorporating thoughtful questions, comprehensive coverage, and innovative presentation formats. By mastering these elements, you can create summaries that resonate with your audience and elevate the impact of the conferences you cover.

Ready to Elevate Your Conference Experience?

Writing a compelling conference summary is just the beginning of what we do at Klewel. If you’re looking to capture, broadcast, and share the essence of your conferences seamlessly, we’re here to help. Contact us at Klewel to explore how our cutting-edge services can transform your events into lasting experiences. Whether you need professional recording, innovative after-movies, or engaging visual summaries, our team is ready to enhance your conference journey. Let’s make your next event unforgettable together. Reach out to us today !

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5 Tips to Help You Write the Most Amazing Presentation Summary

Before we delve into the article, I want you to imagine a conference room filled with eager attendees waiting for the company’s marketing executive to deliver a presentation . Armed with an array of data, the executive steps up to the podium to present the latest market analysis. The audience listens attentively, jots down notes, and absorbs the wealth of information being presented.

As the presentation draws to a close, the executive concludes with a dynamic summary. She highlights the top trends and reiterates the strategies to gain a competitive edge. She runs a recap of the critical data points, showcasing the impressive growth achieved in the previous quarter and the ambitious targets set for the following year. The audience, now fully engaged, feels a sense of excitement about the company’s prospects and leaves with a stunning impression.

Thus, the summary plays an extremely crucial role in solidifying the impact of the presentation and empowering the audience to retain and act upon the information presented. By providing a condensed and memorable snapshot of the presentation’s main points, the summary becomes a valuable resource that extends the presentation’s influence beyond the confines of the conference room.

A well-crafted summary presents the information coherently and logically, ensuring that the main concepts are effectively conveyed. It allows the audience to quickly review their understanding of the material, making it an invaluable tool for retaining and applying the knowledge shared during the presentation.

Here are some tips to help you craft a mind-blowing presentation summary.

1. Begin by Summarizing the Key Takeaways

The purpose of a presentation summary is to deliver the message clearly and reinforce ideas in the audience’s minds. But before you begin to write it, start by answering a few questions-

• What is the central theme of my presentation?
• What are the problems and threats that I am addressing?
• Can I talk about the causes and underlying issues?
• Are there any potential solutions that I can include?
• What does my audience expect to learn from this presentation?

Let us understand with the help of an example. Consider you’re delivering a presentation about your Business Plan. The entire presentation includes critical information such as details about the competitors, prospects of growth, market analysis, case studies, etc. However, to sum it up and make an impact on your investors, you must conclude it in a single slide and mesmerize your stakeholders. But how can you sum up a dozen slides and fit them into one? 

Well, begin by answering the questions above, and you will realize that half of your summary is already done. You can then tailor the material accordingly and use a pre-designed Executive Summary template to communicate the same effectively.

2. Use Graphs and Charts to Showcase Numbers

If you want to increase the impact of your summary, you must incorporate visuals such as graphs and charts, as they provide a clear and concise way to present complex numerical data. Instead of overwhelming the audience with rows of numbers and statistics, these graphical elements convert the information into easily digestible visuals. They enable viewers to grasp critical insights at a glance, enhancing their retention.

By visually illustrating trends, patterns, and comparisons, graphical elements can bring the numbers to life and add a compelling narrative to the presentation. When used strategically, they can emphasize key points, highlight significant findings, and back your arguments. 

For instance, if you want to showcase the comparison of your project’s increasing revenue over different quarters, you can use a bar graph. It will make the information much more pleasing to look at, and rather than having to fathom through digits of numbers, the graph can show the audience an upward trend in the blink of an eye and prove your point.

3. Include Roadmaps and Timeline to Showcase Milestones

Roadmaps and timelines offer a structured and organized representation of the project’s or plan’s progress over time. They provide a precise visual sequence of events, milestones, and goals, enabling the audience to comprehend the project’s development at a glance. This visual clarity helps the audience stay on track and follow the presentation’s flow, making it easier to grasp the project’s scope, timeline, and major achievements.

They serve as excellent tools for setting expectations and managing stakeholders’ understanding of the project’s timeline and progress. By displaying key milestones and expected completion dates, these visuals enable stakeholders to see the project’s trajectory and better align their expectations with the proposed timeline. This helps avoid misunderstandings and facilitates effective communication between the presenter and the audience. 

They transform abstract concepts and ideas into a tangible and relatable story by visually showcasing the journey from the project’s inception to its anticipated completion. This engagement is particularly crucial in presentations involving long-term planning or complex processes. Such use of visuals inspires and motivates the audience to be invested in the project’s success. 

4. Harness the Power of Icons and Illustrations 

Summaries are quite tedious when they are overloaded with information. Rather than using separate texts for each element, it is much better to harness the power of self-explanatory illustrations and icons . They can inject creativity and personality into the slides, and a touch of artistry can make the content more engaging and relatable. 

One of the most important factors is that visuals have a universal language that transcends linguistic differences, making them particularly valuable in presentations with an international or diverse audience . While text-heavy slides may pose challenges for non-native speakers or those unfamiliar with technical terms, icons and illustrations can bridge the gap and ensure that the main points are communicated effectively. 

This inclusivity allows the presentation summary to reach a broader audience and ensures that the message is accessible and comprehensible to everyone.

For instance, if you want to talk about the details of a board meeting in your summary slide, you can use an expert-designed template and add a touch of life to your slides instead of writing every point and detail. This template includes all necessary details, such as the meeting agenda, time, goals, location, etc., and can be used to make your presentation inclusive and stand apart.

Such visually pleasing illustrations can help break chains of monotony and reduce clutter. They also improve the audience’s comprehension by serving as visual anchors for specific points, helping them quickly identify key topics and understand the relationships between different elements. 

5. Include a Compelling Call to Action

A compelling call to action at the end of your presentation summary is crucial in motivating your audience to take the desired next steps. To ensure effectiveness, it’s essential to be specific and concrete, leaving no room for ambiguity. 

Clearly state what you want your audience to do, whether it’s signing up for a service, scheduling a meeting, making a purchase, or investing in a project. Emphasizing the benefits of taking action is equally important, as it helps your audience understand how it will positively impact them or solve their problems. By presenting a persuasive case for the value they’ll gain, you increase the likelihood of a positive response.

Additionally, instilling a sense of urgency can prompt immediate action. Mentioning limited-time offers, upcoming deadlines, or time-sensitive elements related to your presentation encourages your audience to act promptly. 

Providing clear and accessible contact information facilitates the follow-up process, boosting your audience’s confidence in taking the desired action. Including a strong closing statement that reiterates the main message and connects it back to the call to action leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the significance of the action you’re proposing. 

Lastly, confidently and enthusiastically delivering your call to action makes your audience more receptive and eager to embrace the proposed action. A well-crafted call to action turns your presentation from a passive experience into an active and transformative one, yielding positive results for you and your audience.

A presentation summary is a valuable asset that every presenter must use. Not only does it maintain a flow of thoughts and connects the dots between multiple topics, but it also keeps the audience engaged . 

By crafting a concise and well-structured summary, presenters can ensure that the main concepts and takeaways remain at the forefront of the audience’s minds long after the presentation.

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Ashish Arora

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Create better conference slides and presentations

Do you want to start a journey in public speaking , but are no designers ? You’re in the right place! Today, I am showing you the ropes and basics to help you craft slides that look professional. Slides that will help catch the audience’s attention, while still keeping them focused on your talk. No magic; mostly planing, typography, content layout, images, audio, video and content tips. And a few extra tips on rhythm, notes, technical checks, rehearsals. You know, all those small details to make sure you are and feel prepared . As bonus, I bundled this all quick checklist to help you not forget anything. So here we go, let’s start your slides journey together 🙂

This article is a transcript of the tips I gave for Women Talk Design’s next cohort of “ Present yourself with confidence ” workshops that starts soon. And this year, I am one of their guest speaker .

Inspiration, Planing, Preparation & Rehearsal

The first tip I can give you about slides, is actually to not start with the slides, but with a plan and a structure.

Start with understanding what type of “ conference style ” you want to go with. Take a look at other talks and slides for inspiration : technical ones, inspirational ones (like keynotes), case studies, etc. What style do you enjoy? What would YOU be comfortable with?

Some people have 125 slides for a 45min talk and go super fast from slide to slide. Some people have 25 slides for 45 minutes and talk a lot on each slide. I’m usually a 90slides for 45min kind of gurl. Up to you to see what you are more comfortable with. It comes with practise and might change over time.

Have a plan

** Xayha and Rakan’s voices “ We have a plan? We always have a plan ” **

I always start with a plan , not the slides. I like to write my talk like articles, it helps with storytelling. Some people write a plan with a few bullet points. Some people use mind mapping tools. Whatever works for you.

For anything topic and plan related, I recommend you read Lara Hogan’s excellent “ Demystifying public speaking ” book. I prepare my plan in Gdocs, with a LOT of bullet points and titles. But, again, that’s me. Whatever tool helps YOU organise your structure. Then, I don’t want to invest too much time in the slide design until I have the structure and timing right.

If this is a “non remote talk” (yes, remote is the new normal haha), I also plan for “ OMG I can’t share the computer’s audio and there’s no internet connection in the room ” worse case scenarios. Because this might happen. Can you still give your talk from a PDF version of those slides? If you planned a live demo, record it in advance. Just in case. And have the recording as a backup in case wifi is dead. Be prepared for a “lower” version of those slides and talk if necessary.

Rehearse the structure with “skeleton slides”.

So I start with basic slide structure (titles + text), kind of like a skeleton of future slides.. I rehearse them once or twice to get the timing, storytelling and content right . Then I do the design (this way I avoid designing slides I won’t use).

I also sometimes rehearse that basic structure in front of an external observer to get feedback about the rhythm, the flow. If also helps me see if the order of the slides make sense. I don’t need super detailed designed slides for this, it’s about structure.

This is what my skeleton usually looks like: the main titles, the slides with mostly just some text and some notes

Once I have the slides finished, I still rehearse a lot. Usually, if it’s the first time I give a talk, I am up to 4 or 5 rehearsal sessions. This is important for me to get the timing right. I know that I’m stressed out and tend to speak faster, but still. You don’t want to be the speaker who messed up the whole organization because your 20 min talk took 35 min (I saw that happen). I have friends who can finish their slides 1h before the talk and pull it of. Goof for them. BUT, if this is your first talk, don’t do that. It will be even more stressful for you. Be prepared 🙂

Section titles or no titles?

Having clear sections with titles work well for technical talks and talks where each part digs into a specific topic. Titles also help transition from one idea to the other and let you have a small “breathing” (even water) break. If you have titles, having a summary of what you’ll talk about at the beginning can help the audience project into the talk. Some other talks are following more of a storytelling inspirational path. For those, it might be strange to have titles in the middle of the story. But, it could still work.

Slides Content and Design

A quick note: those are generic advice for people who give their first talk, want to improve their presentation and slide skills and might not be designers. I speak and talk in English and French, so those advice is for LtR (Left to Right) languages. You could reverse the tips for RtL (Right to Left). I honestly have no idea if this would apply for TtB (Top to Bottom) languages (like Chinese).

Here comes my main advice: your conference slides are a visual support to help the audience follow what you are saying. It is NOT here replace you . You want them to listen to you, not read your slides. So, all the tips here will try to focus on that idea. Non visual distraction.

Which means that those tips apply mostly to conference slides . Workshop and teaching slides are a little bit different. Because they are also used as support students and workshop attendees refer back to. So, if you are teaching classes or presenting a workshop, your slides might contain more content that what I advice here.

Slides basics for a good start

Gslide Explore layout offers multiple layouts for an image and text combination

Let’s cover a few basics first:

• Slides ratio : 16:9 works on most projectors those days and is ideal for online presentation. 4:3 is still an option since most projectors can switch between one or the other. I prefer 16:9 because it gives more space for nice visuals.
• You can always ask the organizer about the format of the projector if they know it.
• There’s NO SHAME in using a generic theme when you start. Most themes come with a lot of options and layout.
• Use a consistent theme : colors, consistent font-size, etc. The best way to achieve this is to use slide templates/ master. If you don’t use a generic template, you can start from scratch. Most tools have blank starter themes. Or modify an existing theme to adapt to your colors / fonts.
• GSlides even has some machine learning suggestions to try to find the best layout based on your content .
• Avoid too many ideas on one slide . If you have a lot of ideas and content, it’s better to split “one idea by slide ” so the audience can follow.

Choosing your color scheme wisely

When it comes to colors, be careful with text/background contrast and follow main accessibility guidelines. Especially if the slides might be displayed on old projectors. I am not going to detail how to pick colors here, I wrote about it in “ Tips to Create an Accessible and Contrasted Color Palette “. Also check “ Color accessibility: tools and resources to help you design inclusive products ” for more details and tools to help you. Also Geoffrey Crofte has an awesome article on “ Pantone 2021: Working on an Accessible Color Palette “.

One question I have often is the “do you recommend light or dark theme”. It is an interesting debate. It depends.

• Dark themes work for dark rooms. If you know you will present in a theatre or cinema for example.
• If you are not a designer it can be hard to make some good readable dark mode slides that work nicely with pictures .
• Dark themes work nicely with code, and “non images just text” kind of slides.
• Some colors tend to “bleed” or “move” on a dark background. If you put some levels of blue on dark themes for example I will have a headache after 10 minutes in your talk. So, again, it might be complicated.
• So, if this is your first talk and you are not a designer, unless you found a template that works, stick to light themes.
• If you go for a dark theme, avoid pure white text on pure black color . The contrast might be too high for some people (like me, yes there’s such things as too high contrast).
• Also if you are doing more of a workshop, some people like to print the slides to have a physical handout. In that case, dark mode is going to cost a LOT of ink.

Fonts and typography

Font hierarchy and ratio : usually you need a font-size for some “big section titles”, then a “header in the slides” size and some body and bullet font-size. You can use mathematique ratio to create balance here (or tools like https://type-scale.com/ ). But again, most templates usually are well built, so use the template font hierarchy

Also, you want to keep consistency . Try to use the same font-size for “big slides titles”, “header title on a slide” and “body copy” all the way through your presentation. Again, designers who master font and visual hierarchy will play with this rule. But if you are a beginner with no design background, stick to the rules ^^

Now, here are a 2 tips on font choice and pairing : fonts convey meaning. Be careful with those (a cursive is nice for weddings, but hard to read on slides for example). When in double, stick to the basics , even if they look boring. Same for font pairing: if you are not a designer, stick to one font and multiple weight . Or use one of those tools:

• Some examples of good Google Font pairings
• A curated list of (google fonts) pairings that work well together
• Another curated list of nice pairings
• Okay, one last list of fonts that work well together
• Font pairing generated with deep learning
• Font Combination by Bold

Last but not least: don’t use vertical writing (again, this applies to LtR languages). And yes, I know some templates offer the option. But it’s annoying for the audience to have to turn their head to read something.

Caps and alignments

Avoid all caps on super long titles / text . It is harder to read for some people. But you could use caps it to emphasize some words.

You can use bold to emphasize some important elements . Remember that if everything is bold, nothing is emphasized anymore. So, use this carefully.

For the alignment:

• For LtR audience, avoid right aligning copy text. And the other way around for RtL. This is not true for graphs thought you might need to right align legends.
• Also centered text is hard to read. So keep centered text for titles , avoid on body copy, avoid at all costs on bullet points!
• Same for justification: it usually creates “ justification rivers ” that make it hard to read. Stick to left aligned text (or right if you are in a RtL language).

Structure your content with bullet point lists

Bullet point lists is a good way to structure some heavy content. Here are a few tips:

• Use a bullet list , but not too many bullets.
• I mentioned before you want to have one idea by slide . You could have multiple ideas with bullet points but… They need to be all related to the same topic. And after 4/5 bullets it’s hard to follow .
• Try to keep each bullet content short . Unless it’s teaching slides that you will give to students after. But for conference talk slides, again, you don’t want people to read it .
• So, put the main idea in the bullet in a few words, then develop it in your speech.
• Tools like keynote let you play the bullets one by one . It’s a nice trick to help people focus on the current bullet.
• Another trick is to gray out any bullets that are not the current topic

Structure your content with layout and composition

The human eye loves structures. And things that are aligned. Slides should also follow basic “aligning design elements” rules:

• Use guides to make sure everything is aligned properly.
• Sometimes the guides are hidden, you usually find those options under “view” of the main tools/
• Also use the alignment tools in your presentation software to align content with each other. They usually “appear” when you select multiple elements. They are under things called “align” or “arrange” It’s amazing how just a few alignment can change some slides.
• Same tips for distribution. Use the horizontal / vertical distribution options when you have multiple elements and want them to be equally spaces.
• Don’t put important information in the edges in case it might get cropped. Or you might have your webcam on top of it with certain tools (Skype I hate you).

You should also follow some rules of composition to make your slides more balanced when you have multiple elements (like text + image)

• Vertical splits work well : content left + image right or the other way around.
• You could also use math ratio: 1/3 – 2/3 . Explore different options depending on your content density and image sizes.
• Top / bottom composition might work in some cases. But it depends on the image.

Here are some visual examples of different compositions using the same image and text. It depends what you want to put more emphasis on. Note the blue and red lines: those are my guides/rules.

Using images in slides

How to chose the right images for your slides is out of the scope of this article. But most tips I give in “ How to make your blog images stand out & reflect your identity ” also apply to slides. So be sure to check it out.

Now, let’s talk about how to use those images and what you need to be careful about:

• Keep the ratio of images when scaling . ALWAYS. This is the number one deadly sin of images in slides. Horrible stretched images make me want to cry. And make YOU look unprofessional and amateurish.
• If you have a portrait image, it is easier to use a left / right composition (see tips above). You don’t think you need to center everything 🙂
• Be careful about how the image is cropped , what the focus of the image is. For example: avoid chopping someone’s head of with your image cropping
• If you scale up images, make sure they are not pixelated (especially for high def projectors).
• On that note SVGs are awesome for images that scale without pixelation (but Keynote doesn’t like them).
• Accessibility : if you have images that bring information like graphs, tell the audience what’s on the image . Some people might be blind, some people might listen to your talk in audio only. You could put the description in the notes to help you remember to describe it (this doesn’t apply if you have decorative images that are here to fill the space and make the slides look nice).
• Looping gifs might look fun, but they are quite annoying if they stay on screen for a long time.
• Also, anything moving is distracting to our reptilian brain and draws attention. So, be careful with looping videos, gif or animations (more on that in the video section).
• Diversity is important . Try to avoid having only images of white men in your presentations. Especially for a quite diverse audience. Same for different body types, different disabilities, etc. The best talks have inclusive images.
• Also, if you quote people, it would be nice to not only quote the same white men everyone is quoting #stevejobs
• Drawing illustrations for your slides is an awesome idea if you draw, but, this takes a LOT of time. You are warned. (still I love the illustration slides style).

You can also have fun with full screen images. But then how do you deal with the text? Here’s a few ideas:

• If you use background images and text on top of those, again, be careful with contrast and accessibility. You can have a dark (or dark colored) overlay on top of them to enhance contrast
• Instead of having a whole overlay, you can have a background only on your text (like put the text in a box).
• That background can be a rectangle like the example below. But you could have fun with shapes . I use a lot of text on full yellow circules in my talks . Just be careful because text might be more complex to read if it follows a complex shape

Graphs and chart

I’m not a big fan of graphs and charts because they bring a lot of cognitive load to the audience. And again, you want people to listen to you. Not to try to understand the graph on the slides. So, here are a few tips:

• It’s hard to keep the audience engaged with complex graphs. Extract the main idea , one number and don’t show graphs at all.
• If you really need a graph, try to make it simple. Avoid gradients and visual noise. Remove unnecessary information. Keep in mind that it’s supposed to be a visual help for your talk , not the other way around.
• Also if you use graph, be careful about accessibility : don’t use color as the way to convey information.

Last but not least, it’s not always easy to find the “right” visual representation for the data. Should you go with a pie chart? An histogram? Here are a few resources to help:

• From Data to Viz
• Data Visualization – How to Pick the Right Chart Type?
• An intro to designing accessible data visualizations
• How to pick more beautiful colors for your data visualizations

Multimedia content (videos, audio, animations)

This is a personal preference, but I am not a big fan of animations and things moving around. Prezi’s zoom in/out makes me nauseous, literally. They are distracting at best. So, I tend to avoid eye candy animations between slides . Or to stick to smooth fadein/out.

It’s even worse if you present remotely. There’s a chance that people will not even see your animation anyway if there’s a latency with your bandwidth. Or frame drops.

As I explain in my talk “ Enhancing User Experience with CSS Animations “, animations are a good candidate for storytelling. They can help explain complex concepts, like graphs or flows. So, I would use animations in those cases: when moving things around on the screen helps people understand the concept.

When it comes to audio and videos with sound, here are a few tips:

• If you have sound, test audio before the talk . Make sure it’s not too loud for the audience.
• If you are presenting remotely, it’s a whole other mess. By default, most video conference tools only route the audio of your microphone . Some tools like zoom have a checkbox that lets you also share the audio of your computer. But most tools don’t. If you have audio in your slides and want to play it remotely, depending on the tool, you need to reroute the audio of your computer to the microphone. You need some virtual cable software to do so. I use loopback for that on mac.
• Based on your bandwidth, your videos might be super poor quality, or have some frames that drop . Be prepared to describe what’s happening on the video if you are speaking remotely.
• Usually webcams use a lot of bandwidth. If you want to keep the quality of the audio and your screen sharing, it’s sad, but sometimes it’s better to turn off your webcam .

Most presentation tools now also let you embed videos. A short video can be a nice way to help get your message accross to your audience. It’s also a life saver for demos. I’ve seen so many demos backfire, that now, I don’t do them live anymore, I pre-record them instead and play the video during the talk. It takes a little bit of time to record, prepare and cut, but there’s plenty of tools online, like FlexClip , that can help you with that. Also, if you have some sound in your video, don’t forget to have some caption so that the audience can follow. It will also save you in case the sound doesn’t work.

Announce triggering content

Some multimedia content might be triggered for different reasons. I usually try to announce when some content might be triggering at the beginning of the talk, and then, just before the triggering slide comes. For example: I have a talk on UX design where I use a campaign for safety vests where the person is drowning. This is a horrible (yet effective) image, and drowning might trigger some people. So I announce this at the beginning of the talk, and just before I play that video.

This is also true for animations . I have a whole talk on CSS animations and I know some of those might trigger motion sickness so I announce them before playing them, and only play them once.

It’s also true for sound. I once almost left a conference room because the speaker was playing samples of ASMR and the audio was so loud and it created some cognitive overload for me. I covered my ears, the friend next to me left. Announce that kind of audio content before.

Giving the Talk: rhythm, speaker notes, pausing, breathing and drinking water

My notes on the right with the “breath” written (in French) and Marie’s “don’t forget to drink” slide

Okay, we tackled the part of the slides people can see. I got a few more tips for the part people don’t see.

• I put a lot of notes in the slides, even full sentences. This helps me because English is not my native language.
• Stress can make you forget what you wanted to say. I don’t want to read those notes (but you can totally read them if this is your style), but I want to have them around if I am lost . It’s one of those “I am prepared I won’t panic” things.
• Those notes have words in bold. This way, even if I do not read them, my eye still has words to focus on if I need them.
• Notes also help me with timing . I found out that if I don’t have notes or script, I tend to talk way much more on specific slides. It’s usually okay in a meetup when you are the only speaker. But, if you are talking at a conference and you have a specific amount of time, going off topic means you have to go quicker through some other slides later.
• I write “BREATH” or “RESPIRE” in purple on my notes . It’s strange, but it helps. I know speakers who have a “breath post it” on the screen. It’s just one of those reminders.
• Talking will dry your mouth and it’s actually a big brain activity, your brain needs water. Have a few slides where you know you can drink some water . It can be a title slide. Or you could have a cute slide with your pet on it, that works too. My friend Marie Guillaumet does that and the audience loves it. Here’s her cute cat.

Technical check and room setting

You have nice slides, you are prepared. You rehearsed. Everything is fine. There’s still a few extra things you can check and do to make sure everything runs smoothly for your talk.

• If you can visit and take a look at the room you will be presenting into (or ask pictures) to adapt , it’s nice. It also helps me be less nervous.
• Be careful about stage and room layout . I presented in a flat room where all the participants were on the same level, super low screen. It meant that any text at the bottom of the slides would not be seen by some people. It’s okay if I read that text, but still it might be frustrating for the audience.
• Check the air , is it cold on stage? Warn ? This way you can dress to be at ease.
• Try to know where the notes will be displayed . Do you need to be close to your computer? Are there some small screens at the bottom of the stage? Are your notes big enough?
• If you speak remotely: ask to see the template. I have seen conferences that cover part of the left of the slides with a speaker webcam. They should not, but you never know. Try to see the remote setting and plan accordingly.
• Some conferences have live captions (online and in person). Those captions take space on the screen. So maybe your slides will be smaller than expected because of the caption. Again, ask.
• Ask for a technical check before. Check audio , check the wifi if you need it, check the slides format. If you have videos, check if they are smooth (especially if it’s a remote online conference).
• If it’s a remote conference, ask to use the tool before to test how it works. Try to know how it will work. Do you have to share your screen and unmute yourself at a specific time or does a technical person do it for you? I once spoke at a conference in Russia and the tool was in Russian. I was glad that we did some technical checks so that I knew where to press to share my screen and webcam.

Most conferences are used to all of that. So they will usually come to you for technical checks and all. But, you can never be too prepared.

A few other final tips

This was a looong list of tips. So, just a few last things before you go

• Enjoy yourself . The audience is rooting FOR you. They are usually just a bunch of nice people eager to learn and listen to you.
• The audience doesn’t see your notes, your plan. If you miss something, they might not even notice 😉
• If it’s possible (and it doesn’t pose any issues with NDAs and such), giving access to the slides to the audience before or during the talk can be useful.
• If there’s someone who will introduce you, you could drop the “me presenting myself” slide. This is good advice if you are on a tight schedule and need to remove slides haha, like me.

And if you present online and remotely:

• Check with the organizers if you will take the questions during the talk or after . Some speakers are comfortable chatting with the chat audience while going through the slides. While some other speakers don’t like their flow to be broken and prefer the questions at the end. Both are okay, know what makes YOU comfortable and communicate with the organizers.
• For remote conferences, what’s important is your voice and slides. I think it’s okay to switch off the camera if this causes bandwidth issues . You want to keep the audio and screen sharing quality as high as possible.
• Live caption: Powerpoint has some built in live captioning tools. It’s not perfect but it’s a start to try to make your content more accessible if the conference doesn’t provide any (I wish Keynote had that). For me it’s okay in English. French is a mess though.

We all love a good checklist. Well, at least I do. So, to help you not forget any of those tips, I prepared a small checklist in PDF that you can download a go trough when you’ll design your first slides.

Download the Slides Checklist in .PDF

Resources and more tips from other people

And here comes the usual list of other tips you could check on that topic:

• My friend Morgane Peng wrote a nice article to help you start with public speaking . Also thank you Morgane for the proof reading of this article ^^
• Again, check Lara Hogan’s book
• Accessible Speaking Best Practices

Other articles you might enjoy:

• There is an app, NO, a web API for that – conference talk
• Designing for Accessibility: Creating Inclusive and User-Centric Products

Published on 4 May 2021

in UX Research & Design

By Stéphanie Walter

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Tips for developing a successful conference abstract.

Newberry, Lynn W. DNP, RN, CEN, NE-BC

Lynn W. Newberry is the education and outreach program manager at the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Silver Spring, Md.

In our current dynamic healthcare environment, dissemination of data obtained through nursing research and/or quality improvement (QI) projects is paramount. Information that emerges from research and projects can be disseminated through several avenues, including podium and poster presentations or written publications.

Nurses are expert clinicians but not necessarily expert writers. Although presenting at a conference can be an important aspect of professional development, few nurses receive formal training or mentorship to prepare them for research, publication, or oral/poster presentations. All too often, the idea of being a nurse author is associated with being in academia or a researcher. Nurses often reject the notion of writing, dismissing it as time-consuming and too challenging. 1

Historically, the writing landscape for nurses has been in journals; however, over the last 10 years, we've seen an increase in research dissemination through nursing conference presentations. (See Types of nursing conferences .) Although many people consider public speaking to be daunting, disseminating research and findings from QI projects through conference presentations provides an opportunity to share insights and network with professional peers. 2

To be considered for a conference presentation, an abstract—a summary of the key points to be presented—is often necessary. 3 The goal of the abstract is to convince the conference organizers that the information is worthy of dissemination. This article presents steps for developing and submitting a conference abstract, as well as strategies for success.

Choosing the right conference

The first step in abstract development is choosing the right conference. It's important to identify a conference with an abstract call that fits your topic. A conference may be driven by themes or learning objectives requiring alignment of all abstracts, call for clinical innovation or research abstracts only, accept works in progress, or only accept completed projects. Considerations include the focus of the conference, the target audience, and the audience size. In addition, virtual conferences afford new opportunities, including presenting internationally. For an example of an abstract call, see 2022 ANCC Pathway to Excellence ® and ANCC National Magnet ® Conference abstract call .

The number of abstracts submitted for conference presentations has steadily increased, thus leading to a more competitive selection process. Before preparing an abstract, you must understand and carefully follow the conference's instructions for submission. The ability to follow directions is crucial; not adhering to the guidelines will automatically eliminate the abstract from consideration. 1 Only a small number of submitted abstracts are selected for conference inclusion due to limited space. Even projects of excellent quality can be rejected, but don't let this be discouraging.

Elements of abstract submission

Once you've selected the conference and thoroughly read the requirements, it's time to develop your abstract. Due to the volume of abstracts reviewed, you have minutes to make a strong impression. If the reviewers can't grasp the story within the first few sentences or are confused on their first pass, they'll likely reject the submission.

When composing an abstract, word choice makes a difference. Certain terms are traditionally associated with projects and methods, so interchanging words implies either carelessness or lack of knowledge, which can make the abstract questionable. Abstracts are supposed to be concise, yet informative. Using words or phrases that don't add value will distract the reviewers. Avoid common pitfalls, such as excessive medical jargon, unnecessary abbreviations, and colloquialisms that may not be familiar to the reviewers. 4

The most expedient and effective method of creating an abstract is to type it first in a word processing program. This allows you to easily use the required font size and cut and paste the abstract body into the submission site template. Because most abstract calls have a word or character limit, using a word processing program also helps keep track of this requirement.

Elements of abstract submission often vary depending on the type of conference and whether you're presenting original research or evidence-based practice findings. 5 The conference abstract may contain the following.

Title . A title that captures the reviewers' interest is critical. Compose a clear and concise title that meets the conference theme to grasp the reviewers' attention and leave a great first impression. Titles are often limited to 12 words. Consider making the title appealing but avoid being too clever because this might deter the reviewers.

Purpose . Identify the overall goal and context of the presentation. Highlight the importance of the topic and identify the problem, gaps, or challenges that led to the research/project. Avoid generalities and be specific. What are people supposed to learn or be able to do because of attending your presentation? 4

Strategy and implementation . Describe the initiative, actions, and process of implementation. What has been done and how? Ensure that the description of methods flows sequentially in the order they occurred. If this is a research project, include design, sample, instruments, data collection procedures, and the analytic method used. It's important that these aspects are presented in a format of interventions and activities so the audience can translate findings into practice or actionable work to achieve outcomes. 2

Evaluation/outcomes . Describe analytic findings and include evaluation data to establish the value of the project. Indicate if the project was a success or a failure. Note the importance of the work and discuss the connection between your findings and the identified problem, gaps, or challenges. Research project presentations should include quantitative or qualitative data and must link to concrete results; stronger abstracts show how the results impact practice or patient outcomes.

Implications for practice . Discuss the relevance of the findings to nursing practice. Interpret the meaning and significance of the results, outcomes, or findings and share important points inferred from them. 6

Submitting the abstract

Once you've finished the abstract, step away from it. Then, look it over with a fresh perspective, which can help with the editing process. Make sure the language flows and is congruent throughout. Perform a careful spell check and avoid or minimize abbreviations when possible. It's always a good idea to have multiple people read the abstract before submission. Consider asking for feedback from coauthors, a mentor, or colleagues not involved in the project. 1 Their thoughts and feedback based on experience and knowledge bring added value to the abstract's development.

Keep in mind the abstract writing and submission process generally takes more time than anticipated. Factor in time to address potential technical glitches with online submission. Lastly, be sure to include all necessary forms, such as biographic and contact information. 2

Once you submit the abstract, a conference committee team consisting of expert reviewers will score it according to the criteria required for submission. Typically, your identity is blinded from reviewers, allowing objectivity during the scoring process. Conference abstract reviewers unfamiliar with the project will compare it against selection criteria and other abstracts to decide whether to include the presentation in the conference program. You'll receive notification of results after the completion of the review. 7

Upon acceptance of your abstract, there will be several deadlines from the conference committee that you need to meet. These are often provided in the abstract call, so read the requirements carefully. Key deadlines may include confirming acceptance to present, registering for the conference, and preparing the presentation. Many conference committees require submission of the presentation months in advance of the conference.

Knowledge sharing

Nurse leaders play a pivotal role in the dissemination of nursing practice and research. Although writing a conference abstract can be time-consuming and occasionally daunting or frustrating, it's also rewarding, especially when you receive an acceptance notice. It's through opportunities such as presenting at conferences that nurses contribute to the greater good of the professional community. As we work to advance the nursing profession and promote a positive practice environment, consider telling your story and sharing your knowledge with others.

Types of nursing conferences

There are several types of nursing conferences, including, local, regional, state, national, and international meetings. Many professional nursing organizations offer annual conferences, and some include poster and podium presentation opportunities, as well as opportunities for first-time presenters. With the additional use of adjunctive technology, conferences have been able to expand into the virtual space, affording the opportunity for nurses to present and connect with their colleagues in another part of the country or even the world without the extra cost of travel.

2022 ANCC Pathway to Excellence ® and ANCC National Magnet ® Conference abstract call

The 2022 ANCC Pathway to Excellence Conference will be held October 13 to 15, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pa. The conference call for abstracts opens on November 1, 2021, and closes on December 13, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Conference goals and topic areas

The conference learning goals/outcomes are to:

• examine the positive impact of shared governance, effective leadership, and interprofessional partnerships that exemplify workplace excellence
• evaluate evidence-based practice, research, quality, and safety initiatives
• assess nurse-driven and organizational initiatives to foster a culture of health and safeguard clinician and community well-being
• demonstrate the value of lifelong learning and nurse empowerment for organizational outcomes.

Abstract submission guidelines

• All abstracts must be submitted online in alignment with provided guidelines ( www.magnetpathwaycon.org ).
• Abstracts must not exceed the published character limits (2,500 total character limit).
• Abstracts may be submitted for oral (podium), poster, or either presentation. Abstracts submitted for oral presentation will be considered for oral or poster presentation unless otherwise specified by the primary presenter.
• Abstracts must align with one or more conference goals and be submitted for one track only.
• The following may not be entered in the abstract system: charts, graphs, bullet points, indentations, or references.
• Files and/or videos may not be uploaded as attachments.
• Review your abstract for grammar and spelling errors before submission. Proper grammar and accuracy reflect the quality of your abstract.
• If a Pathway to Excellence (PTE) organization is presenting with a nonPTE organization or employee, the primary presenter must be the PTE employee. The PTE employee must have a primary role in the actual presentation.

Acceptance criteria

Those accepted for presentation at the conference are required to:

• respond with their intent by the designated date in the email invitation
• accept presenter guidelines in the online system
• register for the conference by the 2022 early bird deadline
• assume costs associated with full registration, travel, and accommodations for the conference
• authenticate a speaker release form and acceptance of guidelines via the Speaker Center in the online abstract system per the acceptance email
• upload the electronic presentation (oral or poster) and handouts to the online system by the date listed in the acceptance email.
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Writing a Good Conference Summary or Trip Report: DevRel Superpowers

Sharing key takeaways from an event can provide benefits for you, your readers, and your company and products.

I skipped posting last week as I attended the All-In Summit in LA . The event was fun and thought-provoking—if you listen to the All-In Podcast , you know what to expect! As I wrote up my event summary on the flight home, I thought I should share my approach to writing successful conference summaries and trip reports.

Why write a conference summary or trip report?

Early in my career, I started writing conference summaries to help clarify my learning from the event. I like to take handwritten notes and Tweet key takeaways during a conference, as this helps me lock in what I’m hearing from the speakers, but I often felt like there was an opportunity to learn more.

During my days as an academic, I found that the best way to really learn a topic was to attempt to teach it. Writing event summaries forced me to re-read my notes, “join the dots” with related topics, and dive deeper into what interested me.

If you work in developer relations, there is also the content creation perspective to writing summaries. Sharing your key takeaways from an event can provide a lot of benefits:

Demonstrates your understanding of the key topics and technologies, which can build your credibility and reputation in the industry

Hones your writing and summarization skills, and helps to develop your online content portfolio

Highlights your company’s involvement with the space and event (driving top-of-funnel awareness)

Explores interesting problems and related solutions (helping with mid-funnel consideration and decision)

Provides an opportunity for you to give a shout-out to your partners, friends, and related OSS projects

With the benefits in mind, let’s explore how to create a good trip report.

A good trip report starts before the event

As part of my conference preparation, I always review the online schedule, looking for interesting topics, technologies, and trends. Not only do I do this to determine my agenda at the event, but it also primes my thinking around writing the summary.

I’ll often note the key themes and then watch for related social media posts during the event. I’ll also bring these up in my discussions with fellow attendees throughout the conference.

Taking notes during the event

During the event, I like to centralize my notes so that I can add commentary, thoughts, and social media links via my mobile devices and laptop. I’ve used Evernote in the past, and now I’m using Onenote. I take brief notes in sessions I attend and take a picture of these to add to my online collection. I typically capture key thoughts from interesting conversations with attendees on my cellphone. I also regularly monitor social media for the event hashtag and other key themes, and add the links to my online notes.

If I’m running a sponsored booth (or on booth duty), I’ll use this opportunity to ask lots of questions about the key themes I identified before the event, and I also look for topics and themes that I may have missed. Asking questions like “What’s your current biggest pain point?” or “What’s been the most interesting thing you’ve learned at the event?” can be eye-opening.

Regarding notes, brevity is your friend here. In the past, I’ve written pages and pages of notes, and I found this tricky to summarise at the end of the event.

When writing, start with the end in mind

When writing the trip report or conference summary, I advise starting with the end in mind and defining your key takeaways upfront. I aim to summarise 5-10 key takeaways, which seem manageable for me and valuable for readers.

Taking my recent All-In Summit summary, I reviewed my notes, and the top five takeaways instantly jumped out to me (and I had identified three of them from a pre-event scan of the schedule and talk abstracts). I looked again at social media and a couple of early summaries shared by other attendees and found roughly eight additional takeaways. I didn’t want to summarize more than ten takeaways, so I merged two and dropped a couple on the cutting room floor. I was left with this:

Once I’ve found the key takeaways, I use this as a skeleton for the remainder of my report. I typically draft each takeaway sequentially and then conduct multiple passes over the entire article, adding additional details, social media links, and images. I usually conduct a final pass where I attempt to “join the dots” and add anything separate from the event that I believe the audience will find helpful.

An example of this in my All-In Summit summary is that I added a couple of links to recent articles in The Economist:

Now, let’s put all of this into practice and look at some example final reports.

Example trip reports

As with many things in life, (deliberate) practice makes perfect. I’ve been writing trip reports for several years and across various roles. Here are some examples of my most popular and successful summaries:

Key Takeaways from the 'Agile on the Beach' Conference: Day Two

microXchg Microservices Conference Day One Summary: DDD, Platforms, and Organisational Impact

KubeCon NA 2021 Key Takeaways: DevX, Security, and Community

KubeCon EU + CloudNativeCon 2023 Summary: DevEx, Debugging, and Doubling-down on Community

My Top 10 Takeaways from the All-In Summit 2023

As a guide, I aim for thousands of page views. An average summary in the cloud native space might get ~5000-10000 views, and my “bangers” have scored 25k+.

Event summary top tips: SEO and distribution

Writing an amazing event summary is no good if no one reads it. For this reason, you will need to focus on search engine optimisation (SEO) and distribution.

I’ve been lucky to work with some fantastic SEO specialists over the years, and so I have internalized (and constantly updated) many SEO best practices. Although SEO can rapidly turn into a game, my north star is to write content that people want to read and format the content in a way that is discoverable by fellow humans, i.e. create a good title, use sub-headings to illustrate the structure, write concisely, include diagrams where it makes sense, etc. Once you’ve mastered this, you can optimise for keywords, meta information, social media cards, etc.

There are several good SEO references available for DevRels—for example, Google’ SEO Starter Guide , Lauren Schaefer and Magen Grant’s SEO for DevRel , Mostafa Moradian et al.’s “ DevRel content strategies with a focus on SEO optimization for developers ”— but I always recommend searching for the latest SEO guidance. If you are creating a lot of content, I recommend hiring someone with SEO/SEM expertise. Trust me, it’s worth the investment!

Distribution is also super important. Some of my most significant bumps in page views have been due to a mention in popular newsletters and on social media, such as DevOps Weekly , What's Hot in Enterprise IT/VC , LearnK8s , etc.

Cultivating relationships with the people running these sites and accounts is key here, as is subtly highlighting the content you want to be shared. For example, I’ll tag people in social media posts and discussions where appropriate, and I’ll sometimes DM or email newsletter owners the article and ask for the share. My advice is to always focus on the win-win, not to be overly pushy, and ensure you are taking time to help these folks before asking for too much in return.

Common trip report and conference summary mistakes

Here are some of the typical conference/trip summary mistakes I encounter regularly (and note that I have made most of these at some point in my career!)

Being overly promotional and/or mentioning your company and products too much. Don’t get me wrong, most people sharing content on the Internet have an angle or agenda—and as the startup cliche goes, we all work in sales—but there is a delicate balance. In my experience, it’s okay to mention your company and products once or twice in a report, mainly if this is relevant to the discussion. Still, anything more than this will make the article look like straight-up marketing copy, and no one wants to read this type of content.

Writing an overly long event summary. I’ve made this mistake at least a few times, most recently with a two-part KubeCon summary . In my experience, readers generally want a concise overview of the takeaways and critical learning.

Creating the summary too long after the event. I get it; we’re all time-pressured, but if you wait to publish your summary more than a week after the event has finished, you may miss out on the surrounding buzz. And if you post your summary later than a month after the event, it just looks like old news.

Let me know in the comments if you have more conference summary antipatterns or trip report mistakes to share!

Want to know more about DevRel content creation?

I hope this post has helped to shed some light on how I summarize my learning and get extra value from attending conferences and technical events.

Please comment below and let me know if you want more content on writing in the role of developer relations. I also offer ad hoc advising and consultancy in this space.

And don’t forget to subscribe! I’m aiming to share a post every two weeks or so.

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15 Best Tips for Presenting at a Conference

Published on 18 Nov 2021

Presenting at a conference is an important part of a researcher’s life: it allows you to share all the work you’ve been doing for months or years.

At the same time, it also exposes some intimate aspects of yourself to the outside world, like your thought process, your level of knowledge on a topic, or your ability to structure ideas.

I personally found myself frightened about presenting on multiple occasions. I remember my first seminar at the beginning of my master's degree in biochemistry. Coming from a bachelor in ecology, I felt like an imposter in the new department and was scared others would judge my level of knowledge or the quality of my presentation. Of course, these were only negative projections I was making in my mind, but they reflect the stressful vibe one can feel when preparing to give a talk.

On the positive side, a successful presentation leads to a better understanding of your work by the audience. This generates insightful discussions that can provide ideas about what the next steps of your research should be or clues to solve roadblocks.

It also leaves a good impression on the work done at your lab which can attract new collaborators. Also, getting your work noticed, especially at large conferences, can lead to your publications being more cited. If you’re a student, you can be rewarded with a presentation prize that will boost your curriculum when applying for scholarships.

Above all, learning to communicate, especially to the general public, is a valued skill.

So how can you nail your next presentation? There are no magic pills, but in this article, we’ll share some important tips to help you deliver the best presentation at your next event.

1- Do not start by working on your slides

It is very easy to get lost in your slides if you do not plan first. That is why you need to outline your key ideas and the order in which you want to present them BEFORE jumping into building slides in PowerPoint (or another platform).

You can start with bullet points, a flowchart, or something similar. The crucial part here is to make sure you are laying out the information and not just throwing it on the slides as they come to your mind. It is easy to get lost if you just keep adding slide after slide without any concern for length and/or connections between the information.

You can use sticky notes, paper planners, online flowchart generators, or other tools to help you in the layout phase.

Then, equally important to the key ideas is how you tie all of that content together. You should plan a logical transition and a progression between each idea. This will help you define a common thread and establish the flow of your presentation. Ultimately, it will help the audience capture the message you’re sharing.

In summary, knowing what you want to talk about is key. So before working on your slide deck and your handouts, develop this layout that highlights and connects the information you want to share.

2- Have a duration in mind

You’ll have a limited amount of time to get your message across, so you have to plan your presentation around that time frame. If you have 15 minutes to present your work, plan a presentation that lasts slightly less than that time limit.

Another tip for presentations is to use a timer while presenting to ensure you don’t go overtime.

A lot of people do not plan their time wisely and end up skipping slides in their presentation or going overtime. And guess what? Your audience knows when you skip content because you ran out of time. It comes off as unprofessional and may affect the way people see your work. So take your time preparing your presentation around your time constraints.

If your initial mockup is longer than what it should be, start by analyzing what information could be deleted or ways to get the information across using fewer words. 

It’s often just a matter of focusing on the details that matter the most. Don’t explain all the details of the methodology or the results if it doesn’t add to the story. Keep that for smaller group discussions or during the Q&A period. 

3- Use visuals to your advantage

Visuals are a must in any presentation. Whether it is an image, a chart, a graphic, or a video, visuals help with interpretation and can be an effective way to get your message across or grab the audience's attention.

Just because you’re presenting at an academic conference, it doesn’t mean you can’t use images, videos, or even gifs to help get the message across.

Most people deal better with visuals than words , especially when the information is heavy with data and numbers. But even with visuals, remember to keep it simple. The whole purpose of using visual aids is to help your audience understand the message and not to confuse them with too much information. 

If you’re presenting figures or graphs, remember to use the pointer to highlight the key points while you explain your slide. This is something that is easy to forget when the stress level is high, but it can be a good way to stay grounded and focused on the presentation.

4- Know your audience

In any academic conference, knowing your audience puts you one step closer to delivering an effective presentation. Do your research when starting to prepare your presentation.

Skimming the proceedings of past editions of a conference can reveal past participant lists and their profile. Different conferences have different proportions of undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, or principal investigators. Knowing the proportions of each category can indicate the level of knowledge on certain topics and if you need to spend time explaining certain areas so they understand the rest of the presentation or not.

If you find the abstracts, the Powerpoints, or the recordings of talks from previous editions, it can also help you adjust the depth in which you can go when explaining certain concepts.

Do not fall under the trap of assuming your audience knows nothing about your research subject. If they are at your research conference, it is most likely that they possess knowledge of (and interest in) what you are talking about. So, skip the basics that everyone knows if you feel you can.

Use jargon that is easily understood by the community at large and make sure you define less common abbreviations.

Knowing your audience is not always an easy task. If you’re not sure if your audience is familiar with a specific topic, don't be afraid to ask them! It will make everyone feel more involved and you will get their attention for the rest of the presentation. The bottom line, adapt your message to the audience.

5- Practice, practice, and practice again

No one should know your presentation better than you. When preparing for a particular conference, rehearse your talking points out loud and make sure you feel 100% comfortable with the information laid out on your slides. 

In addition, make sure the key ideas and the logical transition between them are crystal clear. One of the worst things that can happen to presenters is getting lost in their own presentation. 

You should practice your speech out loud to become familiar with the words as this will help your tone and confidence. When you sound confident, people are keener to listen to what you are saying.

One additional common but useful tip is to record yourself while practicing. It will help you know where you're lacking and what needs to be improved. 

 For example, some people tend to talk really fast or jump on sentences while others tend to ignore full stops. No matter what the issues are, recording yourself is a great tactic to find and address them.

6- Present it to a friend or colleague

Outside of practicing it out loud on your own, practice it in front of your colleagues. It will give you an experience that will resemble the real presentation the most.

While you present, notice their facial expressions. They can reveal parts of your presentation that are unclear. Tell them not to interrupt you during the presentation, but tell them to note down their suggestions or questions for the end. Make sure to use a timer to measure how you’re doing on time.

Some people like to present to someone completely detached from the topic. The idea is that if people who are not completely familiar with the subject can follow your presentation, people in the field should be able to easily follow it as well. 

No matter which option you choose, this exercise will help if you have difficulties speaking in public. Do not be afraid of doing these multiple times before your presentation and always ask for honest feedback. The more you practice, the more confident and more fluent you will be.

During my Ph.D., we often presented to our lab members and went through a Q&A section. Not only was it a good opportunity to practice the presenting skills, but it was also a moment to discuss specific aspects and prepare for potential questions. I remember in some instances, the feedback led to reshuffling the ideas completely in a way that made more sense.

7- Appearances matter

Even though people are coming to your presentation because they are interested in your research, appearances matter. The way you speak, how you interact with your audience, and even what you wear, make an impact. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes. 

 If you’re presenting at an online event, make sure the lighting comes from in front of you and not from behind or it will make your face appear darker. Not seeing a presenter clearly can distract the audience and decrease attention.

Also make sure there isn’t anything distracting in the background, like television or someone walking. The best background is usually solid-colored walls.

8- Sleep and eat well before the event

Get a good night of sleep the night before the event. You will feel well-rested and ready to tackle the presentation. It can be tempting to practice your slides and go over your presentation late at night, but it is sometimes better to get a good night's sleep.

In addition, make sure to eat well. You don’t want to feel dizzy or be occupied thinking about food when you should be thinking about the presentation.

Lastly, have a bottle of water close to you while you’re presenting. That will allow you to take pauses when needed and give your audience time to absorb the information after you jump into the next slide or argument.

9- Have a backup

If you have your presentation stored on a hard drive, make sure to have an extra copy on the cloud and vice-versa. Hard drives can break and technical difficulties can occur with cloud storage, so always have a backup just in case. 

Depending on the guidelines of the event, you can also send a copy of your presentation to the organizer and/or colleague. Send yourself a copy of the presentation by email as well.

A lot of people also have a paper copy of their presentation. That’s the last case alternative but also nice to have. If you are in a poster presentation, this may be harder to achieve.

If you have videos in your presentation, check out if the platform and/or venue can display that, especially the audio (if it’s important). Not all software or places have the necessary (or compatible) technology to display your presentation as they should.

10- Use body language

Body language has an essential role in presentations, especially online ones. Make sure you use body language the right way, otherwise it can be distracting for your audience. That includes fidgeting, repeatedly fixing your hair or clothes, among other things.

In academic conferences, the presentations are usually heavy on the information and data side, so it is important that presenters take advantage of tone of voice, gestures, and other body language resources to get their point across.

It is best to keep eye contact with people in the audience. This way, they will feel you are talking TO them and not AT them. But make sure to alternate and not stare at one single person throughout the whole presentation. 

Be aware of your posture and if you have any notes, make sure to either hold them or have them at eyesight. It is common to have notecards during a conference talk, but it is important to know your presentation and not depend on the notes.

11- Encourage your audience to interact with you

A big part of your presentation is for you to talk about your research. People are there to listen to you and absorb information, but they are also there to make the most out of the experience, and that includes engaging and asking questions.

Prepare yourself to answer questions from the audience. It is impossible to cover everything in a short presentation, so try to cover as much as possible and if there are questions you think will arise from the audience, prepare to answer them.

Depending on the type of presentation and what’s expected, you can keep questions for the end or allow questions during the presentation.

If there is a question that you do not have the answer to, it’s ok to say it. It’s better to offer to look more into it and get back to them rather than trying to improvise an answer. Provide your contact information in the final slide or at the end of your presentation. Some participants can reach out to you if they have any questions, suggestions, or opportunities that could be beneficial to you.

If you are giving an online presentation, invite participants to ask a question through the conference platform or website. For example, Fourwaves has a built-in Q&A section on each presentation page where presenters and participants can interact.

12- Structure your presentation and let your audience know

Let your audience know what you will be covering in your presentation. Have a clear outline of the topics and make sure to have this journey clear so the audience understands where you are taking them.

You can start the presentation by highlighting the key messages, but don’t forget to have a summary at the end (your conclusion), where you reiterate the main points of your presentation.

13- Pay attention to design

Adhere to the following basic design principles when building your slides. Avoid distracting colors and mixing more than 2 colors in each slide. If you use a light background, you should use a dark font and vice-versa. Make sure the font size is also big enough and that you are not stuffing too much information into a slide.

A good rule of thumb for your slides is to have about 5 bullet points on each one and give enough time for people to read through them if they need to. Most of the information should be coming out of your mouth and not described in the slides. The slides are just a summary (the bullet points) of what you will cover.

If you are adding visuals, make sure they are big enough so people can see them and they are not covering any information.

14- Take other presentations as an example

You have probably been part of dozens and dozens of presentations in a lifetime. Is there something you liked a lot in those or something you hated? If yes, write it down. If it is positive, strive to replicate that in your presentation. If it is negative, discard it.

If you are taking part in an annual event, you may be able to access presentations from the years before and draw conclusions from there. You can also look for similar poster presentations or templates and get inspiration from those.

Keep in mind that every person has a presentation style. Learn the basic guidelines and find what works best for you.

15- Rely on storytelling

Storytelling is relying on stories (narrative) to talk about something (e.g. personal anecdotes, metaphors, comparisons, etc.). People rely on stories for mnemonic purposes and most of the time, it is easier to remember a story or an analogy than it is to remember a specific situation.

No matter what the topic is, analogies make it easier for people to understand facts. Whenever possible, try to use a metaphor or a comparison

Bonus tip - Remember to stop and breathe during your presentation

It’s normal to feel stressed even if you’re super well prepared and that you know your topic inside out.

Make sure to take the time to pause in between slides and to take a good slow deep breath. It will help you stay focused throughout the presentation.

Practice this during your rehearsals. Not talking for 3-4 seconds can seem long for you, but your audience will appreciate it and it will help you feel calmer.

At the core, preparing for a conference presentation is no different than preparing for any type of public speaking assignment. You need to understand the topic very well, research and practice what you are going to say, and know your audience, among other things.  

Most of all, remember: no one is born with great presentation skills, so give yourself room to improve.

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How to make a scientific presentation

Scientific presentation outlines

Questions to ask yourself before you write your talk, 1. how much time do you have, 2. who will you speak to, 3. what do you want the audience to learn from your talk, step 1: outline your presentation, step 2: plan your presentation slides, step 3: make the presentation slides, slide design, text elements, animations and transitions, step 4: practice your presentation, final thoughts, frequently asked questions about preparing scientific presentations, related articles.

A good scientific presentation achieves three things: you communicate the science clearly, your research leaves a lasting impression on your audience, and you enhance your reputation as a scientist.

But, what is the best way to prepare for a scientific presentation? How do you start writing a talk? What details do you include, and what do you leave out?

It’s tempting to launch into making lots of slides. But, starting with the slides can mean you neglect the narrative of your presentation, resulting in an overly detailed, boring talk.

The key to making an engaging scientific presentation is to prepare the narrative of your talk before beginning to construct your presentation slides. Planning your talk will ensure that you tell a clear, compelling scientific story that will engage the audience.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to make a good oral scientific presentation, including:

• The different types of oral scientific presentations and how they are delivered;
• How to outline a scientific presentation;
• How to make slides for a scientific presentation.

Our advice results from delving into the literature on writing scientific talks and from our own experiences as scientists in giving and listening to presentations. We provide tips and best practices for giving scientific talks in a separate post.

There are two main types of scientific talks:

• Your talk focuses on a single study . Typically, you tell the story of a single scientific paper. This format is common for short talks at contributed sessions in conferences.
• Your talk describes multiple studies. You tell the story of multiple scientific papers. It is crucial to have a theme that unites the studies, for example, an overarching question or problem statement, with each study representing specific but different variations of the same theme. Typically, PhD defenses, invited seminars, lectures, or talks for a prospective employer (i.e., “job talks”) fall into this category.

➡️ Learn how to prepare an excellent thesis defense

The length of time you are allotted for your talk will determine whether you will discuss a single study or multiple studies, and which details to include in your story.

The background and interests of your audience will determine the narrative direction of your talk, and what devices you will use to get their attention. Will you be speaking to people specializing in your field, or will the audience also contain people from disciplines other than your own? To reach non-specialists, you will need to discuss the broader implications of your study outside your field.

The needs of the audience will also determine what technical details you will include, and the language you will use. For example, an undergraduate audience will have different needs than an audience of seasoned academics. Students will require a more comprehensive overview of background information and explanations of jargon but will need less technical methodological details.

Your goal is to speak to the majority. But, make your talk accessible to the least knowledgeable person in the room.

This is called the thesis statement, or simply the “take-home message”. Having listened to your talk, what message do you want the audience to take away from your presentation? Describe the main idea in one or two sentences. You want this theme to be present throughout your presentation. Again, the thesis statement will depend on the audience and the type of talk you are giving.

Your thesis statement will drive the narrative for your talk. By deciding the take-home message you want to convince the audience of as a result of listening to your talk, you decide how the story of your talk will flow and how you will navigate its twists and turns. The thesis statement tells you the results you need to show, which subsequently tells you the methods or studies you need to describe, which decides the angle you take in your introduction.

➡️ Learn how to write a thesis statement

The goal of your talk is that the audience leaves afterward with a clear understanding of the key take-away message of your research. To achieve that goal, you need to tell a coherent, logical story that conveys your thesis statement throughout the presentation. You can tell your story through careful preparation of your talk.

Preparation of a scientific presentation involves three separate stages: outlining the scientific narrative, preparing slides, and practicing your delivery. Making the slides of your talk without first planning what you are going to say is inefficient.

Here, we provide a 4 step guide to writing your scientific presentation:

• Outline your presentation
• Plan your presentation slides
• Make the presentation slides
• Practice your presentation

Writing an outline helps you consider the key pieces of your talk and how they fit together from the beginning, preventing you from forgetting any important details. It also means you avoid changing the order of your slides multiple times, saving you time.

Plan your talk as discrete sections. In the table below, we describe the sections for a single study talk vs. a talk discussing multiple studies:

The following tips apply when writing the outline of a single study talk. You can easily adapt this framework if you are writing a talk discussing multiple studies.

Introduction: Writing the introduction can be the hardest part of writing a talk. And when giving it, it’s the point where you might be at your most nervous. But preparing a good, concise introduction will settle your nerves.

The introduction tells the audience the story of why you studied your topic. A good introduction succinctly achieves four things, in the following order.

• It gives a broad perspective on the problem or topic for people in the audience who may be outside your discipline (i.e., it explains the big-picture problem motivating your study).
• It describes why you did the study, and why the audience should care.
• It gives a brief indication of how your study addressed the problem and provides the necessary background information that the audience needs to understand your work.
• It indicates what the audience will learn from the talk, and prepares them for what will come next.

A good introduction not only gives the big picture and motivations behind your study but also concisely sets the stage for what the audience will learn from the talk (e.g., the questions your work answers, and/or the hypotheses that your work tests). The end of the introduction will lead to a natural transition to the methods.

Give a broad perspective on the problem. The easiest way to start with the big picture is to think of a hook for the first slide of your presentation. A hook is an opening that gets the audience’s attention and gets them interested in your story. In science, this might take the form of a why, or a how question, or it could be a statement about a major problem or open question in your field. Other examples of hooks include quotes, short anecdotes, or interesting statistics.

Why should the audience care? Next, decide on the angle you are going to take on your hook that links to the thesis of your talk. In other words, you need to set the context, i.e., explain why the audience should care. For example, you may introduce an observation from nature, a pattern in experimental data, or a theory that you want to test. The audience must understand your motivations for the study.

Supplementary details. Once you have established the hook and angle, you need to include supplementary details to support them. For example, you might state your hypothesis. Then go into previous work and the current state of knowledge. Include citations of these studies. If you need to introduce some technical methodological details, theory, or jargon, do it here.

Conclude your introduction. The motivation for the work and background information should set the stage for the conclusion of the introduction, where you describe the goals of your study, and any hypotheses or predictions. Let the audience know what they are going to learn.

Methods: The audience will use your description of the methods to assess the approach you took in your study and to decide whether your findings are credible. Tell the story of your methods in chronological order. Use visuals to describe your methods as much as possible. If you have equations, make sure to take the time to explain them. Decide what methods to include and how you will show them. You need enough detail so that your audience will understand what you did and therefore can evaluate your approach, but avoid including superfluous details that do not support your main idea. You want to avoid the common mistake of including too much data, as the audience can read the paper(s) later.

Results: This is the evidence you present for your thesis. The audience will use the results to evaluate the support for your main idea. Choose the most important and interesting results—those that support your thesis. You don’t need to present all the results from your study (indeed, you most likely won’t have time to present them all). Break down complex results into digestible pieces, e.g., comparisons over multiple slides (more tips in the next section).

Summary: Summarize your main findings. Displaying your main findings through visuals can be effective. Emphasize the new contributions to scientific knowledge that your work makes.

Conclusion: Complete the circle by relating your conclusions to the big picture topic in your introduction—and your hook, if possible. It’s important to describe any alternative explanations for your findings. You might also speculate on future directions arising from your research. The slides that comprise your conclusion do not need to state “conclusion”. Rather, the concluding slide title should be a declarative sentence linking back to the big picture problem and your main idea.

It’s important to end well by planning a strong closure to your talk, after which you will thank the audience. Your closing statement should relate to your thesis, perhaps by stating it differently or memorably. Avoid ending awkwardly by memorizing your closing sentence.

By now, you have an outline of the story of your talk, which you can use to plan your slides. Your slides should complement and enhance what you will say. Use the following steps to prepare your slides.

• Write the slide titles to match your talk outline. These should be clear and informative declarative sentences that succinctly give the main idea of the slide (e.g., don’t use “Methods” as a slide title). Have one major idea per slide. In a YouTube talk on designing effective slides , researcher Michael Alley shows examples of instructive slide titles.
• Decide how you will convey the main idea of the slide (e.g., what figures, photographs, equations, statistics, references, or other elements you will need). The body of the slide should support the slide’s main idea.
• Under each slide title, outline what you want to say, in bullet points.

In sum, for each slide, prepare a title that summarizes its major idea, a list of visual elements, and a summary of the points you will make. Ensure each slide connects to your thesis. If it doesn’t, then you don’t need the slide.

Slides for scientific presentations have three major components: text (including labels and legends), graphics, and equations. Here, we give tips on how to present each of these components.

• Have an informative title slide. Include the names of all coauthors and their affiliations. Include an attractive image relating to your study.
• Make the foreground content of your slides “pop” by using an appropriate background. Slides that have white backgrounds with black text work well for small rooms, whereas slides with black backgrounds and white text are suitable for large rooms.
• The layout of your slides should be simple. Pay attention to how and where you lay the visual and text elements on each slide. It’s tempting to cram information, but you need lots of empty space. Retain space at the sides and bottom of your slides.
• Use sans serif fonts with a font size of at least 20 for text, and up to 40 for slide titles. Citations can be in 14 font and should be included at the bottom of the slide.
• Use bold or italics to emphasize words, not underlines or caps. Keep these effects to a minimum.
• Use concise text . You don’t need full sentences. Convey the essence of your message in as few words as possible. Write down what you’d like to say, and then shorten it for the slide. Remove unnecessary filler words.
• Text blocks should be limited to two lines. This will prevent you from crowding too much information on the slide.
• Include names of technical terms in your talk slides, especially if they are not familiar to everyone in the audience.
• Proofread your slides. Typos and grammatical errors are distracting for your audience.
• Include citations for the hypotheses or observations of other scientists.
• Good figures and graphics are essential to sustain audience interest. Use graphics and photographs to show the experiment or study system in action and to explain abstract concepts.
• Don’t use figures straight from your paper as they may be too detailed for your talk, and details like axes may be too small. Make new versions if necessary. Make them large enough to be visible from the back of the room.
• Use graphs to show your results, not tables. Tables are difficult for your audience to digest! If you must present a table, keep it simple.
• Label the axes of graphs and indicate the units. Label important components of graphics and photographs and include captions. Include sources for graphics that are not your own.
• Explain all the elements of a graph. This includes the axes, what the colors and markers mean, and patterns in the data.
• Use colors in figures and text in a meaningful, not random, way. For example, contrasting colors can be effective for pointing out comparisons and/or differences. Don’t use neon colors or pastels.
• Use thick lines in figures, and use color to create contrasts in the figures you present. Don’t use red/green or red/blue combinations, as color-blind audience members can’t distinguish between them.
• Arrows or circles can be effective for drawing attention to key details in graphs and equations. Add some text annotations along with them.
• Write your summary and conclusion slides using graphics, rather than showing a slide with a list of bullet points. Showing some of your results again can be helpful to remind the audience of your message.
• If your talk has equations, take time to explain them. Include text boxes to explain variables and mathematical terms, and put them under each term in the equation.
• Combine equations with a graphic that shows the scientific principle, or include a diagram of the mathematical model.
• Use animations judiciously. They are helpful to reveal complex ideas gradually, for example, if you need to make a comparison or contrast or to build a complicated argument or figure. For lists, reveal one bullet point at a time. New ideas appearing sequentially will help your audience follow your logic.
• Slide transitions should be simple. Silly ones distract from your message.
• Decide how you will make the transition as you move from one section of your talk to the next. For example, if you spend time talking through details, provide a summary afterward, especially in a long talk. Another common tactic is to have a “home slide” that you return to multiple times during the talk that reinforces your main idea or message. In her YouTube talk on designing effective scientific presentations , Stanford biologist Susan McConnell suggests using the approach of home slides to build a cohesive narrative.

To deliver a polished presentation, it is essential to practice it. Here are some tips.

• For your first run-through, practice alone. Pay attention to your narrative. Does your story flow naturally? Do you know how you will start and end? Are there any awkward transitions? Do animations help you tell your story? Do your slides help to convey what you are saying or are they missing components?
• Next, practice in front of your advisor, and/or your peers (e.g., your lab group). Ask someone to time your talk. Take note of their feedback and the questions that they ask you (you might be asked similar questions during your real talk).
• Edit your talk, taking into account the feedback you’ve received. Eliminate superfluous slides that don’t contribute to your takeaway message.
• Practice as many times as needed to memorize the order of your slides and the key transition points of your talk. However, don’t try to learn your talk word for word. Instead, memorize opening and closing statements, and sentences at key junctures in the presentation. Your presentation should resemble a serious but spontaneous conversation with the audience.
• Practicing multiple times also helps you hone the delivery of your talk. While rehearsing, pay attention to your vocal intonations and speed. Make sure to take pauses while you speak, and make eye contact with your imaginary audience.
• Make sure your talk finishes within the allotted time, and remember to leave time for questions. Conferences are particularly strict on run time.
• Anticipate questions and challenges from the audience, and clarify ambiguities within your slides and/or speech in response.
• If you anticipate that you could be asked questions about details but you don’t have time to include them, or they detract from the main message of your talk, you can prepare slides that address these questions and place them after the final slide of your talk.

➡️ More tips for giving scientific presentations

An organized presentation with a clear narrative will help you communicate your ideas effectively, which is essential for engaging your audience and conveying the importance of your work. Taking time to plan and outline your scientific presentation before writing the slides will help you manage your nerves and feel more confident during the presentation, which will improve your overall performance.

A good scientific presentation has an engaging scientific narrative with a memorable take-home message. It has clear, informative slides that enhance what the speaker says. You need to practice your talk many times to ensure you deliver a polished presentation.

First, consider who will attend your presentation, and what you want the audience to learn about your research. Tailor your content to their level of knowledge and interests. Second, create an outline for your presentation, including the key points you want to make and the evidence you will use to support those points. Finally, practice your presentation several times to ensure that it flows smoothly and that you are comfortable with the material.

Prepare an opening that immediately gets the audience’s attention. A common device is a why or a how question, or a statement of a major open problem in your field, but you could also start with a quote, interesting statistic, or case study from your field.

Scientific presentations typically either focus on a single study (e.g., a 15-minute conference presentation) or tell the story of multiple studies (e.g., a PhD defense or 50-minute conference keynote talk). For a single study talk, the structure follows the scientific paper format: Introduction, Methods, Results, Summary, and Conclusion, whereas the format of a talk discussing multiple studies is more complex, but a theme unifies the studies.

Ensure you have one major idea per slide, and convey that idea clearly (through images, equations, statistics, citations, video, etc.). The slide should include a title that summarizes the major point of the slide, should not contain too much text or too many graphics, and color should be used meaningfully.

• Conference Organising
• Research Conferences
• Research World

11 Tips for presenting at a conference

How to deliver an effective conference presentation (and beat those presenting nerves).

Presenting at a conference is a core part of scientific communication for any researcher or academic. Finding the right conference with the right audience and successfully communicating your latest findings is a great way to enhance your career prospects and, in turn, learn about the newest developments in your research field.

Before we jump in, an important note on fake conferences. There has been a growth in the number of predatory conferences in recent years, so before you register to attend and present your work at any conference, familiarise yourself with ways to tell a predatory conference from a legitimate one .    

Developing a conference presentation is no different to developing any other presentation – you need to be well prepared, consistent throughout and ensure you’re able to resonate with your audience.

One of the biggest challenges in giving a good presentation is managing your nerves. Even the most experienced and respected speakers and performers get a bundle of nerves before they start, so you’re in good company. The good news is that the techniques of an effective presenter can be practised. So how can this be accomplished? Here are 11 tips that will help you give an effective conference presentation.

1. Don’t touch that slide deck just yet

The first thing you need to know about creating an effective conference presentation is not to dive head first into your slides.

It’s hard to beat the feeling of getting an email letting you know that the proposal you worked tirelessly on for a conference has been accepted. Finding out that your work has been well received by a committee can mean a huge amount, especially when you’re driven by your passion for it, like the majority of researchers out there.

So it’s super easy to just start adding slide after slide to your presentation. When I first presented at a conference, we ended up with 40 slides for a 15-minute presentation. And I was lucky enough to be working with some more experienced researchers that reeled in my confusing and inconsistent slides.

Once we started again and made a clear outline first. I simply sketched it out, slide by slide and got back into a flow,  but this time it was in a much more controlled manner. Take your time and make a strong outline to keep you on track. Use this checklist to keep you on the right road.

2. Build your presentation within time constraints

Ensuring your timing is right is so important when presenting at a conference. If you have ten minutes to present, prepare ten minutes of material . No more. If you don’t practice your timing, you may not get a chance to highlight your findings and recommendations – the most important part.

In my experience conference organisers are usually quite clear about how much time you have allocated. The best presenters know exactly how much time they have to work with, then they tailor their presentation to fit the time and keep an eye on the time throughout.

And if you are running out of time, stop. Jump past a couple of slides if you need to make one last point.

3. Use visuals to illuminate, not obscure

Images are key elements to any presentation. Whether it’s a pie chart to show percentages, or a strong image to convey a point, visuals can be much more effective than words. They help reinforce or complement the ideas or points you’re trying to get across. Your audience may be able to understand your message a little easier when it’s presented with visuals that relate to it.

But remember to keep your visuals clean and simple. Some of the worst conference presentations I’ve seen are ones with complex imagery that forces the audience to try and figure out how the image and the speaker’s point are related.

4. Aim for simplicity and consistency

Don’t be afraid of using some text and bullet points if you need to make a point that isn’t easy to communicate visually, or if you’re discussing steps or sequences.

But use them to communicate your point to the audience, not as a prompt for what you want to say. That’s what your speaker notes are for. You want your audience to listen to you instead of reading from your slides, so less is more in terms of the text on the slides.

Inconsistency in slides is a subtle thing but can take away from a presentation very easily. While slides with different colours may look nice, they may be distracting to your audience. Use a consistent template with the same fonts to make it easier for your audience to follow along.  And remember, your audience will view your conference presentation from a distance, so use large clear fonts and as few words as possible in your slides.

5. Know your research audience

One of the most common mistakes I have seen being made by conference presenters is presenting a roomful of people with information they already have . A great way to make this mistake is spending the majority of your presentation going over the existing literature and giving background information on your work.

Just like when you’re in the audience at a conference, researchers are there to learn about your new and exciting research, not to hear a summary of old work. The worst speakers assume that the audience doesn’t know anything and need educating.

Before you begin speaking to a group, find out what they already know and where they are up to with your topic. It’s not easy to get details on all delegates but you will know the plenary sessions and whoever you have networked with before this. Most conferences use mobile apps now, and these are a great way to get an insight to exactly who is attending the conference and what their speciality topics are from the programme.

This can give you a good idea of how much background you need to give so that your key presentation points will make sense. A good rule of thumb is that if you’re giving a 15-minute presentation, by the 6th minute you should be discussing your data or case study.

6. Rehearse your presentation

I shouldn’t even need to include this on the list, but so many people fail to do enough of this. Rehearsing is crucial to making you feel comfortable with every word you are going to say. Rehearse your paper aloud in private and in front of a friend. This can feel a bit embarrassing, but reading it through in your head never corresponds to the time it takes to read it aloud in public. The more times you say the words aloud, the more you will be familiar with it. And if you are familiar with what you’re saying, your confidence in your conference presentation will increase.

When I’m practising for a conference presenting slot, I rehearse out loud in my bedroom. It feels strange but it works. If you’re feeling self-conscious about this (or don’t want your housemates to overhear) you could play some music at the same time.

Another strategy that works well is recording yourself . This lets you see where you’re doing well and where you need to improve. And if being recorded makes you feel under pressure, this helps mimic the actual feelings you’ll have while presenting in front of a real live audience. So you’ll get a good idea for how you will perform on the day.

After I’ve recorded myself, I usually ask a friend or colleague to listen and be critical of my efforts. Getting grilled beforehand really helps ease any presenting nerves or anxiety you will get if you’re unlucky enough to get grilled after your presentation.

7. Prepare, prepare, prepare

Preparation for anything is key, especially for conference presentations.  You’ve prepared enough to find the right conference , and to submit a proposal worthy of acceptance, now you need to prepare to present it.  

Know your slides inside out. You should use them as a guide for your presentation, not an autocue.

Think about your clothing. Wear something that makes you feel comfortable when facing your audience. If you’re not sure what clothes are appropriate, check the dress code with the organisers or with colleagues.

Conference session rooms can get stuffy, so if you’re someone who sweats when they’re nervous, choose clothing that won’t show it. And don’t wear something that’s awkward and restrictive, even if you think it will project a confident image. If you’re not comfortable, you won’t look or feel confident.

Try to get a good night’s sleep before your presentation; everything looks better and more manageable when you’re well rested.

8. Back up your backup

A good way to think about your presentation technology requirements is this: any tech you want to use can and will fail. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility for your memory card or flash drive not to work when the big moment comes. Or for your laptop to decide to reboot. Or for the conference’s presentation facilities to fail.

Arm yourself with a back-up plan so you aren’t left stranded if things go awry. As well as following the conference instructions to submit your presentation online or at their drop-off desk, copy your slides to an online deck service and upload a copy of your presentation to Dropbox . Then email yourself any links you need so they’re within arms reach if you need them. Take no chances.

And if you have any specific audio-visual requirements, make them known to the conference organiser well in advance. If they don’t ask, tell them anyway. Never assume that they’ll just know . Not all conference venues can accommodate the latest technology.

9. Get to know the presenting space

One thing presenters often forget to do before starting a presentation is sussing out the room they’ll be speaking in. If you get the opportunity, get down to the room where you’ll be presenting ahead of time and check it out. This will save you from the last-minute panic of running across an unfamiliar campus. Trying to find the room you’re supposed to be in.

Most rooms will be kitted out with everything you need to present. But there’s no harm in making sure all the equipment you need is there and works. Take no risks and you’ll eliminate nasty last-minute surprises.

Get comfortable with the presentation area, walk around it until you feel familiar with the environment in the room. This will save you the shock of unexpectedly being faced with a large/tiny room. Bring your set of notes with you, and make sure you can read them in the lighting conditions in the room. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need – if there are open windows that are bothering you, ask for them to be closed.

10. Use body language to your advantage

Body language has an important role in presentations, especially at academic conferences. There are usually a lot of facts and findings to be highlighted in a conference presentation, and you need to use all the presenting tools available to you to remain interesting and effective throughout. Your gestures, tone of voice and positivity can be seen through your body language. And may determine how engaged your audience is.

When you’re speaking, a few body language tips can help improve your rapport with your audience. For your audience to engage, it’s important that they can see you. And that you look at them and make eye contact. Try to spread your gaze, rather than staring at one person. And avoid focusing intently on your laptop screen, your notes, or the floor. This can give the impression that you’re nervous or uninterested, and can also prevent you from projecting your voice clearly.

If possible, don’t stand behind a lectern or hold any notes. Instead, keep a straight, relaxed, open posture, and feel free to be comfortable with the full stage. And move around the stage a little as you speak.

The great presenters use gestures to emphasise their points and to highlight their visual material to guide the audience’s attention. When you see a speaker rooted rigidly to the spot and without positive body language the presentation loses a lot of its emphasis. Avoid other distracting movements, such as repeatedly putting your hands in and out of your pockets, jingling coins in your pocket, or fiddling with pens, clothing, or props such as laser pointers.

11. Encourage questions and discussion

If you manage your time well, you’ll have sufficient time left for questions. Or an open discussion after your conference presentation. Expect questions, but don’t worry if there aren’t any. If your audience is reluctant to ask questions, a good session chair will usually pose a question. Presentation questions are a good thing . They give you a chance to elaborate on something that wasn’t clear. Or address the topic that everyone wants to know but you forgot to include.

Answering questions can be nerve-wracking because of the fear that you might not be able to answer them. But when the audience is asking questions, it’s generally out of genuine interest. Don’t trip you up, so see it as a good opportunity to explore how you can expand your work.

Though the majority of questions in a conference Q&A session are fairly benign, like me, you could find yourself at the end of a grilling (perhaps from someone who’s research you’ve had the temerity to challenge) after you present at a conference. If you think this might happen to you, it’s worth doing some reading on how to respond to destructive criticism from peers.

And if you’re feeling nervous about facing tough questions. Here’s something that might help: if you’re attending with someone you know (and trust), ask them to ask you a question. Some people even like to agree in advance what the question will be. This can simply help get the ball rolling and boost your confidence.

And finally, a trick I learnt from an experienced researcher is to keep a notebook and pen handy. And to make notes of the good questions to reflect on later.

Presenting skills are for life

Once you’ve mastered the tips above, you’ll be all set to give a great conference presentation. And the more you do, the easier they’ll get. Until you’ll reach a point when you can’t remember how nervous they used to make you.

One final note on audience size: never take it personally. Some of the best papers out there were presented to small audiences. Nobody ever asks how many people were in the audience. And you don’t have to state it on your academic CV. No matter what size the audience, a great presentation is a great presentation.

Brian Campbell

Brian is a data-driven marketeer, and responsible for helping people find Ex Ordo. He works part-time as a lecturer at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and loves quizzing his students on the latest business trends and insights. Brian enjoys hanging out with his little nephews, and playing and watching sports. He also likes to keep a keen eye on the scholarly research space, and has co-organised an academic conference to boot.

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Home Blog Business Executive Summary: A Guide to Writing and Presentation

Executive Summary: A Guide to Writing and Presentation

Executive summaries precede nearly every type of business document. Despite being the shortest part, they often leave the biggest impression on the reader. Yet, many writers choose to treat an executive summary as an afterthought. (And some presenters too!). Why? Because writing an executive summary is a seemingly hard task. But our mission is to prove otherwise! 

What is an Executive Summary?

An executive summary is a preface to a larger business document such as an annual report, business plan, or whitepaper, succinctly summarizing the key discussion points. Effectively, an executive summary offers a preview of the content, so that the reader could form a baseline opinion about the contents prior to diving into a deep reading session. 

The University of Arizona offers a more elaborated executive summary definition which also notes that an executive summary should:

• Restate the purpose of the follow-up document
• Highlight the key discussion points and most notable facts 
• Relay any notable results, conclusions, or recommendations

Though an executive summary is just a foreword to a bigger report, it’s one of the most labor-intensive items as you have to condense a lot of information into a high-level summary. Oftentimes, an executive summary also gets prominent placement in the follow-up presentation, done on the report.  

Executive Summary Examples

Nearly every type of business document will have an executive summary. Some are better structured and presented than others. But it’s not just limited to business documents. Executive summaries are also used in scientific projects, articles, and education. Below are several admirable executive summary examples you may want to use as an inspiration for writing. 

Accenture: Gaming: The Next Super Platform 

This executive summary for an industry report opens with some big quantifiable claims, clearly communicating the main agenda — describing the size and state of the global gaming market. The gaming industry is a huge market. The pullout texts on the sidebar further detail the scope of the document. Plus clarify for whom this report is intended. 

IBM: Cost of a Data Breach Report 2020 

IBM conducts an annual joint report on cybersecurity with Ponemon Institute. They open the executive summary with a brief recap of their mission and past research. Then dwell on this year’s findings and methodology. If you are writing an executive summary for a similarly massive original research, it’s worth focusing more on your techniques for obtaining data and arriving at the conclusions as IBM did. 

Deloitte Digital: Exploring the value of emotion-driven engagement

Deloitte selected a more narrative style for this executive summary, mixing some key data points and methodology with the core messaging of the report. This is a good example of structured data presentation . On one hand, you have an engaging narration flow. On the other, the summary covers all the important discussion points. 

Executive Summary Format

As the above executive summary examples illustrated, there is no one fit-it-all format for writing an executive study. The best approach depends on your report type, purpose, and contents. 

That being said, an executive summary needs to fulfill several earlier mentioned criteria — offer a preview, provide key information at glance, showcase any results, recommendations. That’s what most readers expect to see on the first page after all. 

The easiest way to approach writing is to draft a preliminary executive summary outline featuring the following subsections:

• General introduction, explaining the key problems discussed 
• Main problem statement(s)
• Selected findings or recommendations 
• The importance of discussed points 

Since you’d also be likely working on presenting the executive summary to other stakeholders , it helps you keep the above structured as bullet points at first. So that you could easily transfer the main ideas to your executive summary PowerPoint slide . 

How Long Should an Executive Summary Be?

As a rule of thumb, an executive summary should not go longer than one vertical page. That is an equivalent of 300-500 words, depending on the typeface. For longer reports, two pages (a horizontal split) may be acceptable. But remember, brevity is key. You are working on a trailer for a movie (the full report). 

How to Write an Executive Summary: a 3-Step Framework 

You can start with the aforementioned loose format and then adapt it to your document type. Remember, you don’t need to follow all the recommendations to a T. Instead, mix some ideas to make your executive summary sound both professional and engaging. Here are several tips for that:  

1. Start with a Problem Statement 

Think of the first paragraph as if of an opening slide for a presentation : you need to make a big compelling statement that immediately communicates your agenda. Set the scene for the reader. There are several ways to do so:

• Answer the “why now” question in the opening paragraph 
• Address the urgency of the matter 
• Highlight the importance of the discussed issue 

Alternatively, you can also go for a more traditional opening and explain the background of the research and discussed issue. For example, if you have conducted a go-to-market strategy evaluation for the team you can start by saying that “This report analyzed online furniture brand performance in 5 target EMEA markets in terms of market share, local brand recall, brand preference, and estimated online sales volumes.” Afterward, briefly communicate the main aim of the report. 

2. Present the Main Discussion Points 

Next, flesh out what’s included in the scope of this report to properly manage the reader’s expectations. You can use the report’s section subheads as key discussion points or come up with snappier, more descriptive statements. 

Here are several good writing practices to follow: 

• Use bullet points and numbered lists to break down text blocks. 
• Quantify the biggest findings when possible. Style them as “call-outs”. 
• Mention the limitations of your report and what it does not account for. 
• Discuss the used research methods and data sources. 

Finally, summarize the findings in one concluding paragraph if you have space. Or style it as a featured quote to draw the reader’s eye towards crucial information. 

3. List the Recommendations or Next Steps 

The bottom part of the page, around 100-150 words should be allocated towards underlining the results, conclusions, and follow-up action expected from the reader. Summarize what you have found during the course of your research. Mention if you have identified any specific type of solution or a type of recommended action. 

Once you are done, send over an executive summary draft to a team member who hasn’t seen the complete report. Ask for their feedback. Can they tell what the report content is after reading the summary? Does the summary intrigue them? Is it descriptive enough for someone without any other context into the matter? Use the critique to further improve the document. 

How to Prepare an Executive Summary Presentation 

High chances are that you’ll also be asked to write the copy for the executive summary presentation, and perhaps even design it too. So let’s get you up to speed on this aspect as well.

How Does an Executive Summary Slide Look Like in PPT?

There’s no ultimate look for an executive summary slide as most presenters customize it to best reflect the content they’d want to showcase. But if you want some universal example, here’s our executive summary slide template : 

You can build an entire slide deck tailored for an executive summary or business presentation by using our AI Presentation Maker . Fill the topic, analyze & edit the proposed outline, and select a design. That’s it! You can create an engaging executive summary slide deck with any number of slides.

What Makes a Good Executive Summary Slide?

A good executive summary slide visually communicates all the important information from the full report. Typically, it’s an even more condensed version of the written executive summary, prefacing the document. Thus to create a good executive summary slide, be prepared to do some ruthless editing.

Include a condensed version of the: 

• Main problem statement or report agenda 
• Key findings. Prioritize quantifiable ones
• Recommendations and next steps.

Also, you will need some PowerPoint design mastery to ensure that an executive summary in your PowerPoint presentation looks compelling, but not cluttered. Prioritize white space. Here is where a good executive summary template can make your life easier. To minimize the number of texts, add icons and other simple visualizations. Trim headers and subheads to give the slide even more breathing room.

For those looking to create an engaging and visually appealing presentation, consider utilizing professional presentation templates to enhance the visuals of your executive summary slide. These templates are specifically designed to help presenters convey their message effectively and with style, ensuring that your audience remains captivated and fully understands the key points of your report.

How to Write an Executive Summary for a Presentation

Most likely you won’t need to write a brand new copy for this slide, but rather adapt the text at hand. That already makes your job a lot easier when summarizing a presentation into an executive summary slide. Still, you don’t want to mess anything up. So stick with the executive summary template you’ve chosen and fill in the gaps using our tips. 

1. Keep the Tone Consistent 

Use the same tone of voice and word choices in your slide deck as you’ve adopted in the report. If the tone of your presentation speech differs too much with terms used on the slide and in the report copy, some audience members may get confused, and then disengaged. 

2. Focus on Telling a Story 

Stakeholders will have the extra time to read the “dry” report. During the presentation, your main goal is to draw their attention to the most important issue, showcase the value-packed inside the report, and make them eager to learn more by actually flipping the full copy afterward. 

3. Chop Full Sentences into Bullet Points 

Go snappy and present information in a snackable manner. Remember, our brain can only keep 3-5 items at once in the working memory. So you shouldn’t try to overload the audience with a long list of “very important points” in one sitting.  

Also, per a recent presentation survey, among the 3 things that annoy audiences most about presentations are slides that include full sentences of text. So, when working on your presentation summary slide, trim those lengthy texts and move on some of the other points to separate slides. 

4. Don’t Go Data Galore 

Including numbers and data visualizations is a great way to present your executive summary. However, overloading your data slides with data nuggets makes your presentation less impactful. 

As presentation design expert Nancy Duarte explains : 

“Data slides aren’t really about the data. They’re about the meaning of the data. It’s up to you to make that meaning clear before you click away. Otherwise, the audience won’t process — let alone buy — your argument.”

It’s a good idea to spotlight 3 main data points on your executive summary slide. Then use some extra minutes to comment on why you’ve chosen to present these. 

To Conclude

An executive summary is the first page and/or slide a reader will see. That’s why the stakes are high to make it look just right. Granted, that shouldn’t be an issue. Since you now know how to write, design, and present a compelling executive summary to others! 

1. Project Summary PowerPoint Template

Use This Template

2. Simple Executive Summary Slide Template for PowerPoint

3. One Page Strategy Summary PowerPoint Template

4. Executive Summary PowerPoint Template

5. Executive Business PowerPoint Template

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Business Presentation: The Ultimate Guide to Making Powerful Presentations (+ Examples)

A business presentation is a purpose-led summary of key information about your company’s plans, products, or practices, designed for either internal or external audiences. This guide teaches you how to design and deliver excellent business presentations. Plus, breaks down some best practices from business presentation examples by popular companies.

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How to Write a Winning Conference Proposal (+Examples)

Discover the art of writing irresistible conference proposals with our guide. Get practical tips and inspiring examples usable as templates to succeed.

7 minute read

helped business professionals at:

Short answer

What is a conference proposal?

A conference proposal is a detailed pitch for a presentation, workshop, or panel at a conference. It outlines your topic, approach, and how it benefits attendees, aiming to convince organizers of your session's value and relevance to their audience.

Even the best ideas can get rejected without a solid proposal

You've got an idea. Not just any idea, but one that sparks interest, drives innovation, and perfectly aligns with your chosen conference's theme. You're ready to share it with the world, confident it will make an impact.

But, in a sea of professionals, all armed with compelling insights, the harsh reality is that not every great idea can make it onto the stage.

Why? Because when slots are limited and competition is fierce, it's not just about what you say; it's about how you say it.

Don’t worry, though - I’ve got you covered. With a blend of expert insights, straightforward tips, and relatable examples instantly usable as templates, I’m here to guide you through creating a proposal that shines brighter than the rest.

Let’s get started!

What are the main types of conference proposals?

Understanding the different types of conference proposals is crucial for tailoring your submission to fit the unique format and audience engagement you're aiming for.

Whether you're a seasoned academic or a professional stepping into the conference scene, knowing these distinctions can significantly enhance your chances of acceptance.

4 main types of conference proposals:

CONFERENCE PAPER PROPOSALS

CONFERENCE POSTER PROPOSALS

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS

PANEL/SESSION PROPOSALS

Conference paper proposals

Scholarly paper: This type involves a deep dive into theoretical or conceptual analysis. You're expected to present an idea, backed by thorough research and a review of existing literature, arguing for a new perspective or approach.

Empirical paper: Focused on research findings, empirical papers require you to present preliminary results and analyses. These are grounded in your methodology, whether qualitative, quantitative, or a mix, offering concrete insights into your study.

Conference poster proposals

Ideal for early-stage research or when seeking more interactive feedback, poster proposals allow you to visually present your work. Attendees can engage directly with you, offering a more personalized discussion about your research findings and methodology.

Round table discussions

These are perfect for fostering in-depth conversations on a specific topic. By sitting at a round table, participants are there specifically to engage with your work, providing a unique opportunity for detailed feedback and networking.

Panel/Session proposals

When you're looking to create a broader dialogue around a cohesive theme, panel or session proposals are the way to go. These involve coordinating multiple speakers to present on related topics, enriching the conference program with diverse perspectives and expertise.

What is a typical conference proposal outline?

The right conference proposal outline is not just a list; it's a carefully crafted narrative that guides your readers through your thought process, convincing them of the value and relevance of your work.

Here's how to structure your proposal to make a lasting impression, ensuring every element works together to showcase your idea in the best light possible.

11 essential elements of a conference proposal:

Title: Your first opportunity to grab attention. Make it informative and compelling, reflecting the essence of your presentation.

Abstract: A concise summary that highlights your proposal's main idea, objectives, and significance, offering a snapshot of what to expect.

Introduction: Introduce your topic, its relevance, and its significance to the conference audience, setting the context for your proposal.

Objectives and goals: Clearly articulate what you aim to achieve, aligning your objectives with the overarching themes of the conference.

Theoretical framework: For scholarly proposals, outline the theories or concepts that underpin your argument or research, providing a solid foundation.

Methodology: Detail the methods used in your research, essential for empirical studies, including how data was collected and analyzed.

Preliminary findings or arguments: Present the core results of your research or the principal arguments of your analysis, offering insights into the value of your work.

Significance and contribution: Demonstrate how your proposal advances the field, fills a knowledge gap, or presents a new perspective.

Conclusion: Sum up the key points of your proposal, reinforcing its relevance and potential impact on the conference and its audience.

References: List key references to acknowledge prior work and contextualize your proposal within the broader discourse.

Biographical note: Provide a brief bio to highlight your expertise and qualifications, establishing your credibility on the topic.

What is the best conference proposal format?

In the past, conference proposals often looked a lot like academic papers: lots of text, packed into PDFs or Word documents. While this method was thorough, it sometimes made it tough for readers to quickly grasp the heart of your ideas. I

But here's the thing – the way we share and digest information has changed, and so have the expectations around conference proposals.

The truth is, walls of text don't engage us like they used to. In our fast-paced, digital world, engagement is key. People want to interact with the content they're consuming, not just passively read it.

So, how do you make your conference proposal stand out? By bringing it to life with interactivity.

Think about adding clickable links that dive deeper into your research, embedding short videos that summarize your findings, or including interactive charts that let readers explore your data firsthand.

These interactive elements can transform your proposal from a static document into an engaging journey, making your ideas shine brighter and encouraging a deeper exploration of your work.

Here’s an overview of the most popular formats:

Conference proposal examples that get you accepted

The best conference proposals out there, the ones that effortlessly make their way onto conference agendas, all share a few key traits.

First off, they lay out their ideas in a way that's easy to grasp, avoiding jargon and fluff. They're also incredibly engaging, drawing readers in with compelling narratives, interactive elements, or fascinating findings.

Plus, they demonstrate the significance of their work, showing how it pushes the envelope in their field.

The examples we’re about to explore have all mastered this art. I’m about to share what makes each of them particularly successful, so you can easily apply the same principles to your deck.

Conference workshop proposal

This conference workshop proposal has been designed to offer a comprehensive overview of an upcoming workshop aimed at enhancing data-driven decision-making skills.

It stands out for its strategic structure, engaging content, and interactive elements, making it a compelling read for organizers, potential participants, or sponsors.

What makes this conference proposal great:

Clear agenda slide: The proposal features a well-organized agenda slide that outlines the workshop's flow, including sessions on interactive design principles, tool proficiency, storytelling for impact, and ethics in data representation.

Clear outline of costs: The deck includes a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with different parts of the workshop, such as hands-on workshops, expert-led demonstrations, and panel discussions.

Option to embed external links or videos: The proposal leverages the capability to embed external links or videos, enriching the presentation with additional resources and multimedia content.

Conference pitch deck

This presentation is a great example of how to effectively communicate the essence and value of a conference.

By balancing text and visuals, providing options for customization, and clearly outlining budgetary considerations, it stands out as a compelling tool for engaging potential sponsors and attendees.

What makes this deck stand out:

Use of grayed-out content: The deck employs grayed-out content strategically, focusing the reader's attention on key points and making the presentation easier to follow.

Option to edit details post-send: Offering the flexibility to edit details after sending the deck ensures that the information remains up-to-date and can be tailored to the recipient's interests or feedback, enhancing the personalization of the pitch.

Clear budget outline: A transparent and detailed budget outline is provided, giving potential sponsors and partners a clear understanding of the financial aspects of the conference.

Conference presentation design proposal

This proposal is a prime example of how to effectively pitch a conference presentation design service. It's tailored for companies looking to enhance their conference presentations with dynamic and engaging design solutions.

The agency promises to tackle common challenges like design complexity, audience engagement, and message clarity, using innovative design strategies to propel clients' messages forward.

Interactive data visualization components: The proposal highlights the use of interactive data visualizations, ensuring that complex information is presented in an engaging and understandable way.

Expandable text sections: It incorporates expandable text sections, allowing readers to dive deeper into specific areas of interest without overwhelming them with information upfront.

Clear next steps outline: The proposal concludes with a well-defined outline of next steps, from consultation to implementation kickoff.

Conference funding proposal

This conference funding proposal is a masterclass in how to effectively seek sponsorship and support for a high-profile event.

It’s designed not just to inform but to engage potential sponsors, offering them a clear vision of the event's impact and the benefits of partnership.

Video on the cover slide: The inclusion of a video right on the cover slide immediately captures attention, providing a dynamic introduction to the proposal and setting the tone for what's to come.

Content segmented in tabs: The proposal smartly segments its sponsorship packages (Silver, Gold, Platinum) into tabs, making it easy for potential sponsors to navigate through options and find the one that best fits their budget and marketing goals.

Narrator slide: A dedicated slide narrates the success of past events. This builds credibility, but also lets readers explore the tangible benefits previous sponsors have enjoyed at their own pace.

Summit sponsorship proposal

This proposal stands out by effectively communicating the value proposition to potential sponsors, showcasing how their brand can benefit from being associated with the summit.

Testimonials slide: Including a slide dedicated to testimonials from previous sponsors or partners, complete with customizable logos, adds a layer of trust and credibility.

Option to embed external links: The ability to embed external links within the proposal offers sponsors direct access to more detailed information, such as past event highlights, detailed sponsorship package benefits, or even media coverage.

Multiple image and video placeholders: Incorporating various placeholders for images and enables the presentation of compelling content that can showcase past events, highlight attendee testimonials, or even offer a virtual tour of the venue.

Conference sponsorship proposal

This conference sponsorship proposal stands out for its strategic approach to presenting information, its innovative features designed to enhance sponsor engagement, and its visually appealing presentation.

It serves as an effective tool for securing sponsorships and reflects your company’s professionalism and commitment to creating mutually beneficial partnerships.

Option to extract branding from any website: This innovative feature allows you to easily integrate your branding into the event's promotional materials, ensuring a seamless and consistent brand presence throughout the conference.

Perfect balance of text and visuals: The proposal strikes an ideal balance between informative text and engaging visuals, making it easy for potential sponsors to quickly grasp the event's essence and the sponsorship opportunities available.

Clean layout: The clean and organized layout of the proposal ensures that information is presented clearly and concisely, making it easy for readers to navigate through the different sections and understand the key points.

Conference sponsorship deck

By combining scroll-based design, actionable features, and smart security measures, this conference sponsorship deck conveys the value of the event and facilitates a smooth transition from interest to action.

Scroll-based design: As viewers scroll through the deck, they're taken on a guided journey through the conference's highlights, sponsorship packages, and key benefits. This keeps potential sponsors engaged and interested in learning more.

Embedded calendar: Including a calendar as a call-to-action is a smart move. It enables potential sponsors to immediately book a meeting or express interest, reducing the friction in the follow-up process and increasing the chances of securing sponsorship.

Smart control measures: The ability to lock the deck with a password adds an extra layer of security and exclusivity. It ensures that only intended recipients can access the information, protecting sensitive details about the event and sponsorship opportunities.

Proposal for organizing a conference event

This proposal, while more aligned with event organization, showcases a dynamic and engaging approach to presenting a conference concept.

It's a vivid example of how modern proposals can captivate and communicate effectively, blending detailed planning with interactive elements to draw the reader in.

Average reading time on the cover: Immediately, readers know how much time they'll need to invest, setting expectations and respecting their time from the outset.

Dynamic variables for personalization: The use of placeholders like {{first_name}} suggests a tailored experience, making each reader feel directly addressed and valued.

Running numbers for key metrics: Presenting key metrics such as the number of events organized and happy customers offers concrete evidence of success, building trust and credibility.

Conference event proposal

This proposal is an example of how to effectively communicate the essence, value, and logistical details of a significant corporate event.

By incorporating a clear event program timeline, showcasing their portfolio, and enabling social media engagement, it effectively positions the summit as a must-attend event for industry leaders looking to drive business success through innovation and collaboration.

Timeline slide: The proposal includes a timeline slide that provides an overview of the event's program. It outlines the sequence of sessions and workshops, ensuring attendees understand the flow of the event and the value it offers.

Option to add a portfolio: This option lets you showcase previous successful events and build trust with potential attendees and sponsors by providing tangible evidence of your expertise.

Social media icons: The proposal cleverly integrates social media icons with external links, enabling readers to easily connect with you on various platforms.

How do you write a conference proposal?

Writing a conference proposal is more than just pitching an idea; it's about crafting a message that resonates with both the organizers and the attendees.

It requires you to distill complex concepts into a compelling narrative, focusing on maximizing impact and alignment with conference goals.

Here's how to write your conference proposal to capture attention and secure your spot on the stage.

1) Understand the selection criteria

Start by getting familiar with the conference's goals and themes. Tailoring your proposal to reflect these specifics shows that you've done your homework and are committed to contributing value.

Whether it's highlighting how your topic supports the conference's overarching theme or addressing a gap in the current discourse, alignment with the conference's goals is crucial.

2) Identify current trends or unique angles

Understanding what's currently trending in your field can significantly enhance the relevance of your proposal. Dive into recent journals, conference programs, and discussions with peers to grasp the hot topics.

However, the key is not just to follow the trends but to offer a fresh perspective or a unique angle on a well-trodden subject.

This approach ensures your proposal adds new value to the ongoing conversation, making it more appealing to conference organizers.

3) Craft a compelling abstract

Your abstract is the essence of your presentation, distilled into a few powerful sentences. It should clearly articulate the problem you're addressing, your unique approach or solution, and the impact or takeaway for the audience.

A well-crafted abstract makes your proposal stand out by providing a clear and engaging summary of what attendees can expect.

4) Clearly define your intended audience

Identifying your target audience within the proposal shows that you've considered who will find your session most valuable.

Detailing this helps organizers see how your presentation fits into the broader conference agenda and appeals to attendees.

5) Choose the best format for your message

Conferences offer various formats for presentations, from workshops and poster sessions to panels and individual talks. Selecting the right format for your content can enhance its impact.

Consider your strengths and the nature of your message when choosing how to present it. Interactive workshops are great for practical takeaways, while panel discussions can offer diverse perspectives on a complex issue.

6) Use data to support your proposal

Where applicable, include data or research findings that support the need for your session or its relevance.

This could be survey results indicating interest in your topic, statistics highlighting a problem your session addresses, or data from your own research.

Including evidence makes your proposal more persuasive and underscores the value of your contribution.

7) Define clear outcomes

Be explicit about what you want your audience to learn or achieve by attending your session. Whether it's new knowledge, skills, or perspectives, your proposal should outline the specific outcomes you aim for.

Design your presentation to deliver these outcomes, ensuring your audience leaves with valuable insights they can apply in their own contexts.

8) Incorporate active learning opportunities

Modern audiences expect more than just to listen; they want to participate. Design your session to include opportunities for active learning, such as discussions, hands-on activities, or interactive Q&A segments.

Highlighting these elements in your proposal can make your session more attractive to both organizers and attendees.

9) Submit multiple proposals

If the conference allows, submitting more than one proposal can significantly increase your chances of being selected. Each proposal is a unique opportunity to showcase a different aspect of your expertise or interest.

However, ensure each idea is well-thought-out and relevant to the conference themes. This strategy not only shows your enthusiasm but also your versatility as a speaker.

10) Incorporate evidence of past success

Your proposal should clearly communicate why you are the right person to present on the topic. Include brief mentions of your education, experience, or unique insights that qualify you as an expert.

If you've spoken at other conferences or have relevant accomplishments, briefly mention these in your proposal.

If you're early in your career, consider co-presenting with a more experienced colleague to combine fresh perspectives with proven expertise.

11) End with a smart call to action

Incorporating a smart call to action, such as an embedded calendar link for a meeting or a QR code for additional resources, can set your proposal apart.

It shows you're proactive and ready to engage further, making it easier for the committee to envision working with you.

Example of an effective call to action:

Interactive conference proposal templates

Starting from scratch on a conference proposal can be quite challenging. You need to strike the perfect balance between being informative and engaging, without overwhelming your audience with too much text.

Interactive conference proposal templates serve as a structured guide, helping you navigate through the essential components of your proposal.

They ensure that you cover all the necessary points in a concise manner, making the writing process smoother and more efficient.

Just grab one.

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How to Summarize a PowerPoint Presentation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Summarizing a PowerPoint presentation is a skill that can come in handy in various situations. Maybe you’ve just watched a colleague’s presentation and need to report back to your team, or perhaps you’re studying for an exam and want to condense the material. To summarize a PowerPoint effectively, you’ll need to identify the key points, understand the presentation’s purpose, and distill the information into a concise format. By mastering these steps, you’ll be able to communicate the essence of any presentation to your audience efficiently.

Once you’ve summarized the PowerPoint presentation, you’ll have a handy reference that captures the main ideas and supporting details without the fluff. This summary can serve as a study aid, a quick refresher, or a tool to brief others who may not have the time to go through the entire presentation.

Introduction

Let’s face it, sitting through a lengthy PowerPoint presentation can sometimes feel like a chore, especially when all you need are the highlights. Maybe you’re a busy professional with back-to-back meetings, a student juggling multiple assignments, or just someone who values efficiency. Whatever the case, being able to summarize a PowerPoint presentation is a valuable skill that can save you time and keep you informed.

Why is this ability so important? For starters, it helps you to quickly sift through information and focus on what’s essential. In our fast-paced world, time is of the essence, and being able to distill a lengthy presentation into a few key points can be a game-changer. Moreover, it’s not only about personal convenience; summarizing skills are crucial when you have to convey the gist of a presentation to others. Whether you’re briefing a colleague, preparing notes for a study group, or delivering a report to a client, a well-crafted summary can make all the difference. So, let’s dive into the how-to of summarizing a PowerPoint presentation, shall we?

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Summarize a PowerPoint Presentation

Before we jump into the steps, let’s establish what we’re aiming for. A good summary of a PowerPoint presentation should capture the main ideas, the supporting details, and the presenter’s intended message, all while being brief and easy to understand.

Step 1: Review the Entire Presentation

Start by going through the entire PowerPoint presentation.

Reviewing the presentation in its entirety allows you to get a sense of the overall flow and the key themes. Pay attention to the title slides and the concluding slides, as they often contain the main message and summary points.

Step 2: Identify the Key Points

Look for the main ideas in each slide.

Each slide usually focuses on a single main idea. Look for bullet points, bolded text, or headings as clues to what the presenter considers important. Make note of these points as they will form the backbone of your summary.

Step 3: Understand the Purpose

Determine the purpose of the presentation.

Understanding why the presentation was created helps to frame your summary. Was it to inform, persuade, or instruct? Knowing the intent will guide you in deciding what details are crucial for your summary.

Step 4: Condense the Information

• Condense the information into a concise format.

Now that you have the key points and the purpose, start writing your summary. Aim to express the ideas as simply and clearly as possible, without losing the original meaning. If a slide’s content can be said in one sentence instead of three, do it.

Step 5: Review and Edit

Review your summary and refine it.

Go through your summary to ensure it’s coherent and that it accurately reflects the presentation’s content and purpose. Edit out any redundancies or unclear statements.

Additional Information

When summarizing a PowerPoint presentation, it’s essential to keep the audience in mind. Who will be reading your summary? What do they need to know? Tailoring the summary to the needs of your audience can make it more effective. Additionally, consider using visual aids from the original presentation, such as charts or graphs, if they help illustrate a point more clearly.

Remember, a good summary is not just a list of points but a coherent mini-version of the presentation. It should flow logically and be engaging to read. Lastly, practice makes perfect. The more you practice summarizing presentations, the better you’ll become at capturing the essence of the content. So next time you sit through a PowerPoint, why not give it a try?

• Review the entire PowerPoint presentation.
• Identify the key points in each slide.
• Understand the purpose of the presentation.
• Review and edit your summary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the powerpoint presentation is very long.

Start by breaking it down into sections, and summarize each section before attempting to summarize the whole presentation. This will make the task more manageable.

Can I include quotes from the presentation in my summary?

Yes, but use them sparingly and only if they emphasize a key point effectively.

Should I use the same slide titles in my summary?

You can, but it’s not necessary. The aim is to capture the main ideas, not to replicate the presentation’s structure.

Is it okay to leave out examples used in the presentation?

If the examples are used to illustrate key points, briefly mention them. Otherwise, focus on the main ideas and leave out specific examples.

How long should my summary be?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but a good rule of thumb is to make it as brief as possible while still covering all key points.

Summarizing a PowerPoint presentation is an art and a skill that can be honed with practice. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone who values brevity, being able to condense information efficiently is incredibly valuable. Remember, the goal is to capture the essence of the presentation, not to replicate it.

Use your judgment to determine what’s essential and what can be left out. With the steps and tips outlined in this article, you’re well on your way to becoming an expert summarizer. So next time you’re faced with a lengthy presentation, don’t despair. Embrace the challenge and flex those summarizing muscles!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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Conference Presentation References

This page contains reference examples for works presented at conferences and meetings, including the following:

• Conference presentation
• Abstract of a conference presentation

1. Conference presentation

Evans, A. C., Jr., Garbarino, J., Bocanegra, E., Kinscherff, R. T., & Márquez-Greene, N. (2019, August 8–11). Gun violence: An event on the power of community [Conference presentation]. APA 2019 Convention, Chicago, IL, United States. https://convention.apa.org/2019-video

• Parenthetical citation : (Evans et al., 2019)
• Narrative citation : Evans et al. (2019)
• Provide the names of the presenters in the author element of the reference.
• Provide the full dates of the conference in the date element of the reference.
• Describe the presentation in square brackets after the title. The description is flexible (e.g., “[Conference session],” “[Paper presentation],” “[Poster session],” “[Keynote address]”).
• Provide the name of the conference or meeting and its location in the source element of the reference.
• If video of the conference presentation is available, include a link at the end of the reference.

2. Abstract of a conference presentation

Cacioppo, S. (2019, April 25–28). Evolutionary theory of social connections: Past, present, and future [Conference presentation abstract]. Ninety-ninth annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, Pasadena, CA, United States. https://westernpsych.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/WPA-Program-2019-Final-2.pdf

• Parenthetical citation : (Cacioppo, 2019)
• Narrative citation : Cacioppo (2019)
• To cite only the abstract of a conference presentation, include the word “abstract” as part of the bracketed description (e.g., “[Conference presentation abstract]”).

Conference presentation references are covered in the seventh edition Publication Manual Section 10.5

More From Forbes

15 presentation tips for captivating your audience and commanding the room.

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Person speaking in front of audience

Public speaking can be a daunting task, especially when addressing a large audience. Whether you're giving a presentation in the boardroom or delivering a keynote speech at a conference, holding your audience's attention and maintaining command of the room is paramount. The ability to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression not only enhances your message's impact but also builds your reputation as a confident and effective speaker.

Here, Forbes Coaches Council members share invaluable tips and strategies to help you conquer your fear of public speaking and ensure that your next presentation or speech is a resounding success.

1. Be Confident

Be grounded and confident to be yourself and then tell great stories. Use your voice and the stage to bring the stories alive. Your audience will connect to the emotion of the story but make sure that it is relevant for your audience and related to the topic. - Cath Daley , Cath Daley Ltd

2. Find A Way To Actively Engage The Audience

Be prepared with ways to get your audience engaged and keep their focus. Whether that's relating to your audience, telling a joke or asking questions, actively driving engagement will make for a more effective presentation or speech. - Luke Feldmeier , Online Leadership Training - Career and Leadership Accelerator for Engineers

3. Create An Emotional Connection

Creating an emotional connection with the audience and involving them in your session fosters active participation, and ensures your audience stays engaged throughout. This also serves to enhance your presence and to create memories that stay with them long after your presentation ends. - Kristin Andree , Andree Group

4. Put Your Unique Take Front And Center

Do you have something unexpected to say about your topic? Something that goes against the mainstream opinion in your industry or is maybe even slightly provocative? If so, putting your unique take front and center in the title and the beginning of your talk and explaining or resolving it later keeps your audience engaged and interested. - Micha Goebig , Go Big Coaching & Communications, LLC

5. Remember That The Audience Doesn't Know Your Planned Speech

No one wants to see you fail as a speaker. Remember that the focus shouldn't be on whether or not you can recall verbatim every word of your planned speech. The focus should be on how to connect to your audience with a few key points using a combination of storytelling and facts. - Sheri Nasim , Center for Executive Excellence

6. Adapt Your Language To The Audience

Talk about something they are interested in or include elements that will keep them interested. Start by asking why your topic matters to each and every one of them. Use language adapted to the audience. Keep the key messages to two or three maximum. Show them what you think and why you care about the topic. - Isabelle Claus Teixeira , Business and Human Development Consulting Pte Ltd

7. Try To Incorporate An Element Of Surprise

Engagement is the key to keeping the audience's attention. Invite participation, tell stories, walk around, have visuals, include humor, raise your voice and ask questions. Think of a comedian who points at someone in the audience: "Hey, you with the red shirt?" Everyone pays attention. What element of surprise can you present? - Susan Jordan, MBA, MSODL, PCC , Sphereshift Coaching and Consulting

8. Know Your Audience

Doing research ahead of time to ensure you're providing the subject matter in a personalized manner will keep their attention. The topic will dictate the necessary vibe. Based on that, providing opportunities for the group to engage, such as shouting out a word, raising a hand, etc., will also help maintain their interest. - Lindsay Miller , Reverie Organizational Development Specialists

9. Use The Problem-Agitation-Solution Approach

Don't just give a presentation — share a story. It must be a story-audience fit though. Use the P.A.S. — problem-agitation-solution — approach. Start with introducing a problem, follow by agitating the problem via telling a relevant anecdote and conclude by offering a solution by giving an audience a clear, direct way to avoid the pain and learn the lesson. - Alla Adam , Alla Adam Coaching

10. Tell The Audience What They Need To Hear

Instead of trying to figure out what to say, figure out what the audience wants and needs to hear. This shift in perspective allows you to tailor your speech in a way that keeps audiences actively engaged because it's good content that they want to hear. - Robin Pou , The Confident Leader

11. Go All In

To command your audience's attention you have to get into the spirit of what you're teaching and go all in without second-guessing yourself. People want to be led, but they'll be unwilling to follow someone who isn't confident in what they are communicating. - Arash Vossoughi , Voss Coaching Co.

12. Use A Compelling Opening

Start your speech/presentation with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant story or a thought-provoking question. This initial engagement can help you establish a strong connection with the audience and set the stage for a captivating presentation. - Moza-Bella Tram , Moza-Bella LLC

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?

13. Be Authentic

Connect deeply with your essence and purpose. Radiate authenticity. When you're centered in genuine passion and truth others feel it, creating an unspoken bond. It's not about performing; it's about being present and real and offering value from the heart. That's magnetic. - Anna Yusim, MD , Yusim Psychiatry, Consulting & Executive Coaching

14. Let Your Audience Talk

There is nothing worse than stealing everyone's craving for autonomy and speaking the whole time. The person who does the talking does the learning. So, give some autonomy to the audience. Let them talk. Even if it's thinking time and talking to themselves, or to their neighbor or table group. This gains trust and they will lean into what you have to say even more. - Alex Draper , DX Learning Solutions

15. Leverage Non-Verbal Cues

My top tip is to engage your audience through storytelling. A compelling narrative captures attention, evokes emotion and makes complex ideas more relatable. Additionally, use body language and eye contact effectively. These non-verbal cues can significantly enhance your connection with the audience. - Peter Boolkah , The Transition Guy

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• Category: gamescom

Xbox @ gamescom 2024

• Maxi Graeff, Gaming Marketing Lead DACH

• Xbox returns to gamescom with over 50 titles to check out.
• The Xbox booth will also include a theater, photo ops, a Gear Store, and more.
• For those who can’t attend, check out the Xbox @ gamescom: Live From the Showfloor Broadcast on August 21-23.

Following this year’s jam-packed Xbox Games Showcase, we’re excited to return to gamescom and connect with fans in Cologne, Germany from August 21-25 to show off even more of what Xbox players have in store. 

The community is what makes gaming – and gamescom – so special and there will be something for everyone this year, whether you’re on the show floor in Cologne or watching at home via our livestreams. This year the Xbox booth will be overflowing with exciting upcoming titles, one-off experiences and fantastic photo opportunities for games coming to Xbox, PC, and Game Pass this Holiday and beyond. We’ll also deliver three days of broadcasts live from the show floor, join up with our amazing community for another FanFest, and plenty more. Keep reading for more details on everything we’re up to at gamescom 2024.  

Xbox Booth  

This year the Xbox booth will feature over 50 gaming titles from Xbox Game Studios, Blizzard, Bethesda, and our amazing third-party partners – spread across more than 240 gaming stations – alongside amazing photo ops and experiences, and specially constructed theaters for exclusive looks at upcoming titles.  

Attendees will be able to go hands-on with upcoming Xbox releases, including: 

• Age of Mythology: Retold   
• Ara: History Untold  
• Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred  
• Fallout 76: Milepost Zero  
• The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road  
• Towerborne  

We will also host exclusive theater presentations of Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Starfield: Shattered Space.   

Joining the Xbox booth for the first time, Blizzard Entertainment will make their return to gamescom with multiple offerings for Diablo and World of Warcraft . Ahead of the launch of the Vessel of Hatred expansion in October, Diablo will bring an exclusive public hands-on gameplay demo of the Spiritborn class to the gamescom show floor, with a Diablo Immortal Helliquary boss tournament taking place as well. World of Warcraft celebrates the launch of The War Within on August 26 with the power of a special immersive experience, giving gamescom attendants the chance to feel the thrill of Skyriding in Azeroth.  

The Xbox booth will also have playable titles from our third-party partners, including Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws , Saber Interactive’s Space Marine 2, Rebellion’s Atomfall, and the return of GSC Game World’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl with an all-new demo. And in our Indie Selects area – dedicated to diverse, exciting upcoming titles from independent developers – we’ll host games including Maximum Entertainment’s Squirrel with a Gun, Noodlecake’s Winter Burrow, 11 bit Studios’ Creatures of Ava, and more .  

The above is just a small selection of the titles playable on the Xbox booth. For the full list of playable titles visit here . Whatever you’re into, we’ll have something for you. 

You’ll be able to find us in Hall 7 of the Koelnmesse, North entrance. See below for the consumer show opening times:   

• Thursday, August 22 – 10am – 8pm CEST   
• Friday, August 23 – 10am – 8pm CEST   
• Saturday, August 24 – 9am – 8 pm CEST   
• Sunday, August 25 – 9am – 8pm CEST  

Beyond the Xbox booth, Overwatch 2 will also have a joint stand with Porsche, highlighting their new collaboration by featuring a life-sized D.Va statue modeled after the new all-electric Macan, along with an invitation for fans to enter a real-life rendition of an iconic Overwatch 2 map. 

Game Pass @ Gamescom   

This year at gamescom, Game Pass is turning up the fun with an exciting setup reminding players that they can discover their next favorite game across devices. Guests will have an opportunity to explore different sections dedicated to PC, Console, and Cloud as they learn about all the different ways to play their favorite games. In addition to exclusive gamescom 2024 prizes available through claw and gacha machines, guests have the opportunity to play the Big Green Button for a shot at winning exciting prizes like:  

• Game Pass tokens (PC and/or Ultimate) 
• NVIDIA GeForce Now cards 
• WD_BLACK PC and Console Storage 
• Cloud Gaming devices (e.g., Amazon Fire TV Sticks, and Meta Quest headsets) that can directly stream Xbox games 
• OMEN monitors 
• HyperX headsets, microphones, mice and keyboards 

Gaming for Everyone  

Xbox remains committed to the belief that gaming should be safe, inclusive, and accessible for all . We are ensuring that all areas of the booth are wheelchair accessible, Xbox Adaptive Controllers will be available upon request, and there will be select demo stations with adjustable-height desks and monitors. We also have multiple American Sign Language (ASL) and German Sign Language (DGS) interpreters and Audio Description tours in English and German for guests who are blind or visually disabled.

Additionally, we’ll have sensory aids and a quiet room for everyone who needs them, as well as “Here to Help” staff to assist players of all abilities navigate our booth and game experiences. Please check out the Accessibility “Here to Help” desk at our booth for support. 

Other Booth Elements

Gear Shop 

Check out the official Gear Shop at the booth to get the latest with gear from Xbox Game Studios, Blizzard, Activision, and Bethesda! 

Can´t make it? Don’t worry, find your new favorite gear online in the following stores: 

• https://shop.callofduty.com/
• https://gear.blizzard.com/
• https://gear.xbox.com/   
• https://gear.bethesda.net/

Community Area 

This year the Xbox booth will also include the Community Hub! This more chilled out space within the Xbox Booth will be a perfect place for attendees to stop and hang out during the show, and will also feature special programming and activities from titles and teams across Xbox taking place throughout gamescom. Activities will include cosplay meetups, trivia games, meet-and-greets with game developers and voice actors, and more! Be sure to stop by and see what’s on! 

Live from the Showfloor with our Broadcast Teams  

If you can’t make the trip to Cologne this year, we’ll bring the show to you with a series of daily streams from the Xbox booth. Join Team Xbox and friends on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for a deeper dive into some of the highly anticipated games at gamescom 2024, with first-look gameplay, developer chats, new trailers and more. The Bethesda team will also have daily content streaming live from the booth over on their Twitch channel: twitch.tv/bethesda_de .  

Whether you join us for every stream, or just dip in for the latest on your most anticipated titles, we’re looking forward to connecting with fans across the globe and showing off some of the amazing games coming to Xbox.

Wednesday August 21   

• Start: 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST 
• Featuring S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl , Atomfall , Age of Mythology, plus others  
• Start: 5am PDT / 8am EST / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST  

Thursday August 22   

• Start:  6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST 
• Featuring Star Wars Outlaws , World of Warcraft: The War Within, Towerborne plus others
• Start: 5am PDT / 8am EST / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST

Friday August 23   

• Start: 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST
• Featuring Avowed , Ara: History Untold, plus others
• Start: 5am PDT / 8am EST / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST 

Keep an eye on Xbox Social channels for the full content schedule in the days leading up to gamescom.  

The live English-language broadcast from Xbox’s gamescom booth will be available in German, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Czech, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Mexican Spanish and Turkish , along with ASL and English Audio Descriptions. You can catch the Xbox @ gamescom Livestream on regional Xbox channels on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and elsewhere.   

Livestream Channels:  

• Twitch.com/xbox 
• Facebook.com/xbox 
• Youtube.com/xbox 

Xbox FanFest  

On Wednesday, August 21, Xbox FanFest is returning to host a special community event to kick off gamescom week! We’ll be bringing players together to connect around their shared love of gaming. If you’re planning to attend gamescom or will be in the Cologne area, you can enter for a chance to win tickets to attend.

Login at xbox.com/fanfest and use code FANFEST to unlock the sweepstakes. No Purchase Necessary. Open only to registered Xbox FanFest members. 18+. Ends 08:59 CEST on 5 August 2024. Click here for Official Rules .  

Xbox Coverage   

Our social media teams will be on the ground bringing you live coverage, updates, news, new videos, and lots of fun stuff too. And make sure to keep an eye on Xbox Wire for coverage of the Opening Night Live show, and articles about many of the games on show. 

For all the latest updates on Xbox at gamescom this year, stay tuned to the Xbox channels on  X ,  Facebook ,  Instagram , and  YouTube  social channels, or the @XboxDACH  X ,  Facebook ,  Instagram, TikTok , and  YouTube  social channels for German-language coverage. We’re using #Xboxgamescom as our event hashtag.  

Editor’s Note: ARK 2 was originally listed as playable on the Xbox booth – this mention was made in error, and has been removed.

Election 2024: Biden and Harris talk drug prices; Trump continues personal attacks at press conference

Coverage on this live blog has ended. Follow the latest election coverage here .

What to watch on the campaign trail today

• President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared together in Maryland to discuss their plan to lower out-of-pocket costs for older adults on Medicare — their first joint campaign event since the president ended his re-election bid.
• Former President Donald Trump held a news conference today in Bedminster, New Jersey. His remarks focused heavily on Harris, and he repeated his pitch from yesterday in Asheville, North Carolina, to slash energy and electricity prices in half.
• Harris' vice presidential pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is on his first solo trip after last week's seven-state blitz with Harris. Walz is making a swing through the Northeast today, speaking at campaign receptions in Newport, Rhode Island, and Southampton, New York.
• Sen. JD Vance, Trump's running mate, spoke to supporters in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, this morning and addressed controversial remarks he made about abortion in 2021. Vance and Walz have agreed to participate in a debate on Oct. 1 .

Secret Service approves bulletproof glass to shield Trump at outdoor rallies

Katherine Doyle

Kelly O'Donnell

Jonathan Allen

The Secret Service will use ballistic glass to protect Trump so he can resume outdoor campaign events, according to two sources familiar with the planning and a Trump campaign official.

Bulletproof glass of that kind is already available to sitting presidents and vice presidents. It is transported using military aircraft whenever the president travels, but Trump, a candidate and former president, does not have access to such military transportation support. Sources who asked not to be named to discuss sensitive security provisions said the ballistic glass will now be positioned around the country and moved in by agents who will be responsible for guarding it.

Read the full story here.

Harris to endorse protections for renters and removal of key tax benefits for Wall St. investors buying homes

Yamiche Alcindor

Harris’ campaign today is rolling out some of her housing policy proposals, including her support for efforts aimed at lowering the cost of rent and helping renters who are struggling financially, according to details NBC News obtained from a campaign official.

Harris will propose plans to stop data firms from driving up lease rates and plans aimed at stopping Wall Street investors from buying up and reselling homes in bulk at a higher price, according to the proposal.

Harris has started prepping for Sept. 10 debate

Monica Alba

Zoë Richards

Harris has already started debate prep for her Sept. 10 faceoff with Trump, and she held a mock session Monday at Howard University in Washington D.C., according to a source familiar with the plans.

The Harris team has tapped longtime Democratic strategist Philippe Reines to play Trump, reprising the role he took opposite Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during her 2016 campaign.

Harris and Trump have never met or spoken in person, so the mock session is intended to help further familiarize Harris with how Trump speaks and acts, the source said.

Inside the rift that could define the future of Pennsylvania politics

Allan Smith

John Fetterman was angry.

The Democratic senator from Pennsylvania was readying to speak at  a disaster response news conference in Bucks County  on July 16, 2023, just hours after flooding in Upper Makefield that ultimately killed seven people. Local officials spoke for a few minutes to offer an initial update for the assembled media. Then, Gov.  Josh Shapiro  provided information about what his administration was doing to respond to the emergency.

After a few minutes, Shapiro tossed the microphone back to the local responders — not Fetterman. Moments later, the event wrapped without Fetterman’s ever speaking.

Head of House GOP campaign arm warns of new challenges with Harris atop ticket

Sahil Kapur

Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, spoke during a virtual political conference meeting tonight to give Republicans a broad update about the state of the race for the House majority since Harris replaced Biden atop the Democratic ticket, a source on the call told NBC News.

Hudson’s message was that overall, Republicans still have a good chance to pick up seats and that he believes they will. But he acknowledged the challenges, too, specifically the supercharged Democratic fundraising, including Harris’ $300 million-plus month and high online fundraising by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the source said.

He also issued a challenge to the conference, saying now is the time to step up and do more to capitalize on the opportunity to pick up seats, the source added.

The remarks are a rare acknowledgment from a high-ranking Republican official that the political landscape has gotten tougher for the GOP since Biden dropped out, as public polls widely show. The plan to hold the meeting was first reported by Politico.

Trump: U.S. needs to respond after alleged Iranian hack of his campaign

Gabriel Vasconcellos

Trump addressed the alleged hack of his c a mpaign by Iran after today's news conference in Bedminster, New Jersey.

"I’m not happy with it. Our government shouldn’t let that happen," Trump said in response to a question from NBC News’ Garrett Haake.

Pressed about whether a government response is needed, Trump said, "There should be," adding, "They have no respect for our government."

The FBI said this week that it's investigating efforts to hack both the Trump and the Biden-Harris campaigns.

Trump declines to say whether he’d ask his AG to drop federal cases against him

In an exchange with NBC News correspondent Vaughn Hillyard after his news conference, Trump declined to say whether he would ask his attorney general to dismiss the federal charges against him if he wins in November.

"I don't want to talk about that," Trump said. "They're nonsense cases."

GOP Senate candidate in Pennsylvania releases new ad going after Bob Casey on economy

Julie Tsirkin

Republicans are seeking to use some of Biden’s top legislative accomplishments — the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan — against Democrats in the weeks before an election in which the economy is a top issue for voters.

In Pennsylvania, Sen. Bob Casey’s Republican opponent, David McCormick, is highlighting Casey’s support for the IRA, as well as his comments downplaying inflation in 2021 and 2022, when the average rate of inflation topped 8%.

In a digital video ad first shared with NBC News today, McCormick’s campaign tries to paint Casey as a vulnerable Democrat who is “dangerously liberal” alongside Harris, who served with him in the Senate before she was named Biden’s running mate in 2020.

The ad splices clips of Casey’s remarks, including “we did the right thing by going big” with the IRA and its focus on union jobs, clean energy manufacturing and capping health care costs for eligible people.

Harris, as president of the Senate, cast the tiebreaking vote for the IRA when it passed with no Republican support.

The 60-second ad features voters in Pennsylvania criticizing Democrats and Biden for higher grocery prices and the cost of living.

“Pennsylvania families are being crushed by the high price of gas, groceries, and rent. Despite the warnings that their policies would create record inflation, Kamala Harris and weak career politician Bob Casey repeatedly lied so they could pass their multi-trillion dollar liberal agenda,” McCormick said today in a statement. 

Inflation has significantly cooled, down to a 2.9% annual rate in July, but grocery prices are still almost 25% more expensive than pre-pandemic levels. 

Republicans, who have traditionally outperformed Democrats on the economy, hope to capitalize on the issue in November. Americans say they trust Trump more than Harris on the economy, according to a new AP-NORC poll . 

At a news conference tonight in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump said he would “bring prices down on day one” of a second administration by cutting taxes and vowed to “drill, baby drill” to boost natural energy production in the U.S.

Trump on whether he regrets debating Biden in June: Ask him

Trump was asked at his news conference today whether he regretted debating Biden early in the presidential race.

"Do I regret debating Biden? So it was — it was his request. He said we should get the debates done early, and I was willing," Trump said.

"Whether or not the debate should have happened would have been a better question to ask of Joe Biden, because had he not done the debate, he would still be running for president, and people would be hiding him, just like they're hiding her right now," Trump added in an apparent jab at Harris, whom his campaign has challenged to participate in more debates and interviews.

Biden and Trump faced off in a debate hosted by CNN on June 28, unusually early for a presidential election cycle. Biden's poor performance helped precipitate his decision to withdraw from the race, shaking up polling ahead of November.

Trump says he wants employees to work for wages that let companies 'make a profit'

Trump was asked about his interview with Elon Musk this week and whether he was comfortable with companies' threatening to fire workers who go on strike.

"No, I want companies to get workers that are going to love them," Trump said, adding that his desire was for employees to work for wages that allow companies to "make a profit, so they can go and expand."

Trump, who is courting the union vote, praised Musk this week for firing workers , referring to him as “the greatest cutter” in an apparent reference to the dismissal of workers during organizing efforts.

Following Trump's comments to Musk, the United Auto Workers on Tuesday filed labor charges with the National Labor Relations Board against both Trump and Musk for praising the practice of firing workers who threaten to strike.

Trump argues that he is 'entitled to personal attacks' against Harris

During a news conference at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump defended his campaign approach that's been criticized by allies who say he should not be making personal attacks on Harris .

Trump said he believed he was "entitled to personal attacks."

"I don’t have a lot of respect for her intelligence, and I think she’ll be a terrible president," Trump said, adding that he believed Harris has "weaponized" the Justice Department against him with amid his various legal battles.

"They're not nice to me," Trump said. "They want to put me in prison."

Trump says he hasn't spoke with Netanyahu since late July

Trump said during his news conference this evening that he last spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu when the Israeli Prime Minister visited Mar-a-Lago in late July.

“I expect I might be talking to him, but I haven’t since then,” Trump said in response to a question from NBC News' Garrett Haake.

In his response, denied an earlier news report that said he spoke with Netanyahu by phone yesterday and that they had discussed a potential cease-fire and hostages deal.

Trump said this evening that Netanyahu “knows what he’s doing,” but noted that he had previously encouraged the prime minister to “get it over with,” an apparent reference to the Israel-Hamas war.

“You want to get it over with. It has to be over with fast. But have victory — get your victory and get it over with. It has to stop. The killing has to stop,” Trump said.

RFK Jr. cancels Chicago appearances for the week of the DNC to prep for ballot access trials

Katherine Koretski

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is canceling his planned appearances in Chicago the week it will host the Democratic National Convention so he can focus on preparing for trials aimed at getting his name on ballots in more states , his campaign said today.

“Mr. Kennedy will now be testifying in court next week in Harrisburg, PA on Tuesday and Mineola, NY on Wednesday or Thursday to defend ballot access challenges. In order to prepare for the court appearance, the Kennedy campaign has canceled its events in Chicago on Sunday and Monday,” his campaign said.

Kennedy also canceled plans to campaign in Wisconsin during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month.

According to an NBC News tracker, Kennedy is on the ballot in 15 states, but he faces lawsuits that could threaten his access. And on Monday, a judge ruled against his effort to appear on New York’s general election ballot this fall, throwing his ballot access into question.

Trump and Lewandowski share enduring bond dating back to 2016 campaign

Now set to join the campaign, Corey Lewandowski has long had Trump’s ear, and the two are known to speak regularly. Their close bond dates to the earliest days of Trump’s White House bid in 2016, when Lewandowski, a former lobbyist and New Hampshire GOP operative, signed on as his campaign manager.

He comes aboard as Trump navigates a rapidly changing electoral landscape, with polls showing Harris closing the advantage Trump had over Biden.

NBC News reported in December how Lewandowski is part of Trump’s informal kitchen cabinet of advisers and that Trump made a display of this loyalty at a stop in New Hampshire last fall as he called out into the crowd for Lewandowski to join him.

“Where is Corey? Corey. Get over here, Corey. Come here, Corey. Give me Corey. I gotta get him up,” Trump said, calling Lewandowski someone “that’s been with me really from the beginning.”

While Trump has always sought counsel from a wide network, his current campaign has presented as largely drama-free. But it hasn’t always been that way.

Trump’s management style "pits people against each other, but he sits back and it’s like entertainment for him," a former adviser who remains in Trump’s orbit has told NBC News. "No matter what the campaign wants or says, he likes the spectacle of people jockeying for his attention.”

Lewandowski has been in and out of Trump’s political apparatus over the years. He was ousted  right before the Republican Party’s nominating convention in 2016. He joined a super PAC supporting Trump before he departed in 2021. And this year, he began advising the Republican National Committee ahead of the July convention in Milwaukee.

The NBA won't play games on Election Day

Amit Badlani

For the third straight season, the NBA did not schedule games on Election Day.

A  release  for the 2024-25 regular season schedule noted that the league “will continue to encourage fans and the broader NBA community to make a plan to vote and participate in the civic process.”

All 30 teams will play the day before Election Day. Before the start of the 2020-21 season, 23 teams used their arenas or practice facilities as  polling or voting centers for the 2020 election .

Harris campaign responds to Vance's attacking Walz's military record

Emma Barnett

Rebecca Shabad

Former Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., responded to Republicans' attacking Walz’s military record, saying, “It’s not who was G.I. Joe in the war; it’s who’s going to fight for the G.I. Bill?”

Lamb told reporters at a news conference held by the Harris campaign that Walz has spent years “actually developing legislation.”

Meanwhile, he said, “JD Vance has been a senator for a year and a half. I couldn’t tell you a single piece of legislation that he has introduced to help our veterans, much less passed.”

Lamb called the attacks about Walz’s service “a distraction,” adding, “Tim Walz served this country in uniform for 24 years. At the same time, he was a public school teacher. He was helping kids every single day, coaching state championship quality. I mean the guy has served this country in more ways than JD Vance could ever even dream of.”

Asked about the criticism Walz has received for retiring before his unit deployed to Iraq, Lamb told NBC News, “I’d be curious how many years of service he would have to put in before the Republicans would say that it was enough; 24 years is quite a lot.”

Hogan uses Biden-Harris in Md. to tout health care record

Julia Jester

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a GOP Senate candidate, criticized the Biden-Harris administration on health care ahead of their joint visit to Maryland to highlight Democrats' latest cost-cutting measures.

"President Biden and Vice President Harris’s visit to Maryland highlights the urgent need to address the burden of skyrocketing costs facing families and especially our seniors," Hogan wrote, noting health care is the top issue for voters on the campaign trail.

Hogan promised to expand access to affordable health care if elected to the Senate and highlighted how as governor, he worked with the state's legislature to enact health care reforms including lowering premiums by 30%, capping the cost of insulin and "taking on the Pharmacy Benefit Managers who are driving up the cost of prescription drugs." Hogan promised to "further expand access to affordable health care and increase transparency in drug pricing."

Hogan is lagging in polls behind Democratic challenger Angela Alsobrooks, who would become the state's first Black woman elected to the Senate.

Biden interrupted several times by pro-Palestinian protesters after prescription drug costs event

Nnamdi Egwuonwu

Elleiana Green Elleiana Green is a Digital Politics intern with NBC News

Biden was interrupted several times by pro-Palestinian protesters while speaking to attendees in an overflow room following remarks on efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

The protesters were drowned out by the crowd chanting "Thank you, Joe."

MyPillow owner Mike Lindell is at Bedminster, where Trump is giving his news conference today

Garrett Haake

MyPillow owner Mike Lindell, an election denier and conspiracy theorist, is at Trump's Bedminster club, where the former president will hold a news conference this afternoon.

Lindell was spotted chatting with Trump, who was sitting in one of his golf carts.

'Our project 2025 is beat the hell out of them,' Biden says at event for lowering prescription drug costs

At a rally to unveil the Biden a dministration's agreement with drugmakers to lower the cost of prescription drugs , Biden ignited cheers from the crowds as he said, "Let me tell you what our project 2025 is: beat the hell out of them."

The agreement, which will lower the cost of the 10 costliest prescription drugs on Medicare, comes as an estimated 1 in 7 adults struggle to pay for their medications. Biden was joined by Harris, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Sen. Ben Cardin at the event as he detailed his experience with health care over the years.

"Years ago, I had two craniotomies because I had an aneurism. My bill if I didn't have insurance was hundreds of thousands of dollars," Biden said.

He added, "I wouldn't be able to buy anything, wouldn't be able to have a credit. But now we're going to get rid of health care cost pain."

Harris and Walz discuss their upbringings in new video

The Harris campaign posted a video to its YouTube channel this afternoon showing Harris and Walz discussing their upbringings including the music they listened to and what it was like growing up in different parts of the country.

Walz said he loved Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger. Harris said she loved Aretha Franklin and Prince.

Walz explained that his father died when he was 19 as a result of chain smoking. He spoke about life afterward and the importance of programs that help prevent people from dropping into poverty.

"After he died, my mom was a stay-at-home mom," Walz said. "She became our rock, and now she had to go out and get work because the medical bills broke her and Social Security and Social Security survivor benefits, we're fine pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps."

Harris talked about how her parents were active in the Civil Rights Movement and how that partially inspired her to become a lawyer. She also said that when she was in high school, she found out her best friend was being molested by the friend's stepfather and Harris said she had to come live with them.

"It was the first time that I realized how not everyone can take their safety for granted and what we should all feel as a sense of responsibility to protect people from harm," she said. "That's why I decided to become a prosecutor."

Harris said she specialized in child sexual assault cases and she said she created a unit focused on children who were being abused.

Biden says he doesn't think Harris would distance herself from him or his economic policies if she is elected

Ghael Fobes

Summer Concepcion

In remarks to the press as he departed the White House, Biden denied that Harris would distance herself from him if elected and said he expects her to continue his economic policies.

“Whatever you call it, the economy is going to continue, all those legislations that have passed are working. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s working,” Biden said when asked if he thought his economic policies would continue under a Harris administration.

Asked how much it will bother him if Harris distances herself from him if she wins the election, the president said, “She’s not going to.”

Harris campaign says Walz will participate in Oct. 1 debate as long as Trump 'actually shows up' to debate Harris next month

Alec Hernández

Gabe Gutierrez

Hours after Vance said he accepted an invitation to participate in a CBS vice presidential debate on Oct. 1, the Harris campaign said Walz will also take part in that debate and suggested there would be another presidential debate in the same month if Trump follows through with his scheduled one with Harris on Sept. 10.

“The debate about debates is over. Donald Trump’s campaign accepted our proposal for three debates — two presidential and a vice presidential debate,” Michael Tyler, the communications director for the campaign, said in a statement. “Assuming Donald Trump actually shows up on September 10 to debate Vice President Harris, then Governor Walz will see JD Vance on October 1 and the American people will have another opportunity to see the vice president and Donald Trump on the debate stage in October.”

Vance on Thursday said that in addition to the October vice presidential debate on CBS, he would also do one on CNN on Sept. 18, which neither Walz nor the campaign has agreed he would do.

Addressing that issue, Tyler said, "The more they play games, the more insecure and unserious Trump and Vance reveal themselves to be to the American people. Those games end now.”

A Harris campaign official later clarified to NBC News that a second presidential debate in October has not been confirmed, but that Harris would be willing to participate if Trump “shows up” to the first debate on Sept. 10 that has been agreed to by both campaigns.

Vance responded to the Harris campaign’s statement on the debates in two posts to X, including one post saying “Walz refuses to deploy!” — an apparent reference as well to his recent attacks on Walz’s military record .

“In all seriousness, if you want to be the VP of the United States, you should make your pitch directly to the American people,” Vance wrote in a separate post to X. “A debate is an opportunity to take your case to voters without a teleprompter or a script. Can’t imagine why anyone would say no.”

Emhoff to speak Tuesday evening at Democratic convention

Natasha Korecki

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will speak at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday evening, according to two sources with knowledge of planning for the event.

NBC News has previously reported it’s the same night former President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also has a prime-time slot that night.

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to hold a rally on that same day in Milwaukee.

The DNC kicks off Monday and runs through Thursday. So far, the committee has not released a full schedule of speakers.

Vance demurs on past remarks suggesting corporations oppose abortion bans because they want 'cheap labor'

Brennan Leach

Vance demurred when pressed by NBC News about whether he stands by his 2021 comments suggesting corporations criticize abortion bans because they seek “cheap labor” and “don’t want people to parent children.”

“Well, sometimes the evidence to support it is what people actually say,” Vance said at a news conference in New Kensington, Pennsylvania.

He argued there should be “a culture of pro-family thinking and pro-family policy in this country, where we see children as blessings and as resources and not as curses, which is how I think way too many companies, and frankly, way too many of our leaders in Washington think about our young children.”

“So I would very much like for our young moms and our young dads to have whatever family they want to have, and for them to not feel like it’s going to ruin their career or ruin their future," he continued. "We should be encouraging young moms and dads to bring life into the world, and I think there are a whole host of ways in which we prevent them from doing it, and that’s got to change.”

Vance said in 2021 that companies that support abortion rights want a pool of “cheap labor” so that workers don’t have to raise children. He had pointed to a statement by former Georgia Democratic House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, who argued that an abortion ban in the battleground state would be “bad for business.”

“She was right, this is something that those of us on the right have to accept is that when the big corporations come against you for passing abortion restrictions, when corporations are so desperate for cheap labor that they don’t want people to parent children, she’s right to say that abortion restrictions are bad for business,” Vance said in a speech to a conservative group. 

The remarks were first reported by The Christian Science Monitor.

Harris campaign puts out mocking release ahead of Trump's news conference this afternoon

Harris' campaign preemptively sent out a news release mocking Trump ahead of his scheduled press conference this afternoon at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, highlighting a dramatic change in tone and tactics following Biden's decision to end his re-election bid.

The headline of the news release says, "TODAY: Donald Trump To Ramble Incoherently and Spread Dangerous Lies in Public, but at Different Home."

It goes on to say that at 4:30 p.m. ET, "Donald J. Trump, loser of the 2020 election by 7 million votes, will hold another public meltdown in Bedminster, New Jersey."

"Not so fresh off NABJ, Florida, and Twitter glitches, Donald Trump intends to deliver another self-obsessed rant full of his own personal grievances to distract from his toxic Project 2025 agenda, unpopular running mate, and increasing detachment from the reality of the voters who will decide this election," the campaign said.

"Banning abortion, raising costs on families, confusing basic facts, cutting Social Security and Medicare, blocking border security, and being publicly unstable, unfit and unwell will not help his struggling campaign for president."

Trump held a news conference at Mar-a-Lago last week in which he spoke for more than an hour about various issues, including whether to ban the abortion pill .

Harris to rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday

Harris will hold a campaign rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday during the Democratic convention, her campaign said in a news release. The visit is her seventh to the state this year and her third since she launched her campaign, it said.

Trump campaign to bring back Corey Lewandowski and Taylor Budowich

The Trump campaign has announced it is bringing Corey Lewandowski, Taylor Budowich and other election veterans back into the fold.

Lewandowski has been an informal adviser to Trump since he was fired as campaign manager in 2016. Budowich was a spokesperson for Trump's 2020 campaign and has been leading the super PAC MAGA Inc. Tim Murtaugh, Trump’s 2020 campaign communications director, will also join the team.

“Their unmatched experience will help President Trump prosecute the case against Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the most radical ticket in American history,” campaign co-managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said in a statement.

Politico first reported that Lewandowski would join the 2024 campaign.

Trump's lawyers ask to delay former president's sentencing until after the election

Laura Jarrett

Trump's lawyers sent a letter to New York Judge Juan Merchan yesterday asking that he postpone the former president's sentencing in the hush money case until after the presidential election on Nov. 5.

Trump is currently scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 18 in the case. He was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in late May.

In the letter, Todd Blanche said the court should adjourn sentencing anyway because of the Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling in July. But he said if the sentencing still necessary, it should be delayed.

"Sentencing is currently scheduled to occur after the commencement of early voting in the Presidential election," he wrote. "By adjourning the sentencing until after that election — which is of paramount importance to the entire Nation, including tens of millions of people who do not share the views of Authentic, its executives, and its clients — the Court would reduce, even if not eliminate, issues regarding the integrity of any future proceedings."

Vance said in 2021 that companies against abortion bans 'are so desperate for cheap labor that they don’t want people to parent children'

Vance said in a 2021 speech that companies that back abortion rights just want a pool of "cheap labor" with workers unaffected by those caring for children. The speech was first reported by The Christian Science Monitor.

Vance was referring to a statement from former Georgia Democratic House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams who said that a Georgia abortion ban would be “bad for business."

“She was right, this is something that those of us on the right have to accept is that when the big corporations come against you for passing abortion restrictions, when corporations are so desperate for cheap labor that they don’t want people to parent children, she’s right to say that abortion restrictions are bad for business," Vance said in his speech to a conservative group.

NBC News has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

During the same speech, Vance also accused Amazon of financially backing Black Lives Matter to get rid of competition.

“Who benefits most when small businesses on Main Street are destroyed? Who wants to see their competitors unable to deliver goods and services to people, so that you get it delivered in your brown Amazon box? Jeff Bezos,” Vance said. “The people who are invested in destroying America via our corporate class are also getting rich from it. This is an important piece of the puzzle to understand.”

Vance accepts invite for VP debate with Walz on Oct. 1 — and for another on Sept. 18

Vance said he has accepted an invitation from CBS News for a vice presidential debate against Walz on Oct. 1, as well as another debate, with CNN, on Sept. 18 that Walz has yet to agree to.

“The American people deserve as many debates as possible, which is why President Trump has challenged Kamala to three of them already,” he wrote on X . “Not only do I accept the CBS debate on October 1st, I accept the CNN debate on September 18th as well. I look forward to seeing you at both!”

Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in his Manhattan hush money case on the same day as the CNN debate.

Walz yesterday accepted CBS’ invitation to debate Vance on Oct. 1 . CBS had proposed four dates for the vice presidential date: Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 1 and Oct. 8

Walmart doesn't see a recession on the horizon

There are signs the economy is slowing down, but Walmart, the nation's biggest private employer and retailer, doesn't expect it to get much worse.

“In this environment, it’s responsible or prudent to be a little bit guarded with the outlook, but we’re not projecting a recession,” Walmart CFO John David Rainey told CNBC . Indeed, he added, the company doesn't see "additional fraying of consumer health."

Walmart's positive outlook comes as data released yesterday showed the rate of inflation has fallen to the slowest point in more than three years. Also, consumer spending and retail sales were stronger than expected last month, according to new numbers . The retailer, which is also the biggest grocer by sales, weathered the inflation storm in large part because of its lower grocery prices drawing more families making more than $100,000 a year.

Grocery price increases have moderated , but they are still significantly higher than they were four years ago, making it a flashpoint in the presidential campaign. Trump has routinely attacked the Biden-Harris campaign for the price surge, while the Harris campaign just came out with a new proposal for a federal price gouging ban that would take aim at corporations.

RFK Jr. says he has no plans to endorse Harris

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a post on X this morning that he doesn't intend to endorse Harris for president.

His comment comes after a report by The Washington Post last night that said he sought a meeting with her to discuss the possibility of endorsing her in exchange for a Cabinet job.

"VP Harris’s Democratic Party would be unrecognizable to my father and uncle and I cannot reconcile it with my values. The Democratic Party of RFK and JFK was the party of civil liberties and free speech. VP Harris‘s is the party of censorship, lockdowns, and medical coercion," he wrote in his lengthy post on X.

"I have no plans to endorse Kamala Harris for President. I do have a plan to defeat her," he said.

Asked to comment on the Post's report last night, Kennedy's campaign press secretary Stefanie Spear said, “Mr. Kennedy is willing to meet with leaders of both parties to discuss the possibility of a unity government.”

For the first time, Medicare cuts prices on 10 of the costliest medications

Berkeley Lovelace Jr.

The Biden administration said today that it had reached an agreement with drugmakers to lower prices on the 10 costliest prescription drugs under Medicare.

It’s part of the federal government’s first drug pricing negotiations, a cost reduction it claims could help ease the financial burden on the estimated 1 in 7 older adults in the U.S. struggling to pay for their medications.

Pro-Palestinian groups are mobilizing thousands to Chicago to demonstrate outside DNC

Reporting from Chicago, Illinois

Protesters fueled by fervent opposition to American support of Israel remain dedicated to demonstrating outside the Democratic National Convention next week, despite the party’s last-minute change to a nominee who is seen as more sympathetic to their cause.

Protest groups readying for the event say tens of thousands of people will descend on Chicago for the event to coronate Harris as the nominee after Biden abandoned his re-election bid.

How JD Vance’s family shaped his sharp-edged rhetoric about families

Henry J. Gomez

In his 2016 memoir, Sen. JD Vance wrote in awe of his older sister, who, despite an upbringing filled with trauma, broke the cycle of abandonment and dysfunction that defined their childhood.

“There was something heroic about Lindsay’s marriage — that after everything she’d witnessed, she’d ended up with someone who treated her well and had a decent job,” Vance, now the Republican nominee for vice president , observed in the pages of “ Hillbilly Elegy .”

Where's Walz today?

Carly Roman

Walz, Harris' running mate, is scheduled to speak at Harris-Walz campaign receptions in Newport, Rhode Island, and Southampton, New York.

Neither state is thought to be in play in the election, but both are often the sites of political fundraisers.

Where's Vance today?

Vance, Trump's running mate, will stump in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, this morning.

Vance, a senator from Ohio, has frequently been dispatched to the Rust Belt .

Trump’s economy speech veers into familiar territory: Personal attacks on Harris and Biden

Dareh Gregorian

Jake Traylor

Isabelle Schmeler

Trump  yesterday delivered what had been billed as remarks focusing on his plans for the economy, but he went on numerous tangents about Biden, Harris, Walz and windmills.

Trump spoke before an enthusiastic crowd in Asheville, North Carolina, as his allies and advisers have been  urging him   to focus on his policy differences  with Harris and veer away from personal attacks. While he outlined several areas in which the two diverge on policy, they were overshadowed by insults lobbed at top Democrats.

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News details, cisco reports fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 earnings.

SAN JOSE, Calif. , Aug. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

News Summary :

• Product order growth of 14% year over year; up 6% excluding Splunk
• Revenue of $13.6 billion in Q4 FY 2024, above the high end of our guidance range
• Q4 FY 2024 GAAP gross margin of 64.4% and Non-GAAP gross margin of 67.9%
• FY 2024 GAAP gross margin of 64.7% and Non-GAAP gross margin of 67.5%, the highest in 20 years
• Total subscription revenue of $27.4 billion including Splunk, representing 51% of total revenue
• Total annualized recurring revenue (ARR) at $29.6 billion, including $4.3 billion from Splunk, up 22% year over year
• Total software revenue at $18.4 billion, up 9% year over year, with software subscription revenue of $16.4 billion, up 15% year over year, making up 89% of total software revenue
• Decrease of 10% year over year
• GAAP EPS decreased 44% year over year
• Non-GAAP EPS decreased 24% year over year
• Decrease of 6% year over year
• GAAP EPS decreased 17% year over year
• Non-GAAP EPS decreased 4% year over year
• Revenue: $13.65 billion to $13.85 billion
• Earnings per Share:  GAAP: $0.35 to $0.42; Non-GAAP: $0.86 to $0.88
• Revenue: $55.0 billion to $56.2 billion
• Earnings per Share: GAAP: $1.93 to $2.05; Non-GAAP: $3.52 to $3.58

Cisco today reported fourth quarter and fiscal year results for the period ended July 27, 2024. Cisco reported fourth quarter revenue of $13.6 billion, net income on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis of $2.2 billion or $0.54 per share, and non-GAAP net income of $3.5 billion or $0.87 per share.

"We delivered a strong close to fiscal 2024," said Chuck Robbins, chair and CEO of Cisco. "In our fourth quarter, we saw steady customer demand with order growth across the business as customers rely on Cisco to connect and protect all aspects of their organizations in the era of AI."

"Revenue, gross margin and EPS in Q4 were at the high end or above our guidance range, demonstrating our operating discipline," said Scott Herren, CFO of Cisco. "As we look to build on our performance, we remain laser focused on growth and consistent execution as we invest to win in AI, cloud and cybersecurity, while maintaining capital returns."

The acquisition of Splunk, including financing costs, had a negative impact of $0.16 to GAAP EPS, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

The acquisition of Splunk, including financing costs, had a negative impact of $0.04 to Non-GAAP EPS, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

The acquisition of Splunk, including financing costs, had a negative impact of $0.25 to GAAP EPS, for fiscal 2024.

The acquisition of Splunk, including financing costs, had a negative impact of $0.04 to Non-GAAP EPS, for fiscal 2024.

Reconciliations between net income, EPS, and other measures on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis are provided in the tables located in the section entitled "Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP Measures."

C isco Declares Quarterly Dividend

Cisco has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per common share to be paid on October 23, 2024, to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 2, 2024. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval.

Financial Summary

All comparative percentages are on a year-over-year basis unless otherwise noted.

Q4 FY 2024 Highlights  

Revenue -- Total revenue was $13.6 billion, down 10%, with product revenue down 15% and services revenue up 6%. Splunk contributed approximately $960 million of total revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

Revenue by geographic segment was: Americas down 11%, EMEA down 11%, and APJC down 6%. Product revenue performance reflected growth in Security up 81% and Observability up 41%. Networking was down 28%. Product revenue in Collaboration was flat. Security and Observability, excluding Splunk, grew 6% and 12%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

Gross Margin --  On a GAAP basis, total gross margin, product gross margin, and services gross margin were 64.4%, 63.0%, and 67.8%, respectively, as compared with 64.1%, 63.6%, and 65.7%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.

On a non-GAAP basis, total gross margin, product gross margin, and services gross margin were 67.9%, 67.0%, and 70.3%, respectively, as compared with 65.9%, 65.5%, and 67.5%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.

Total gross margins by geographic segment were: 67.7% for the Americas, 69.2% for EMEA and 66.4% for APJC.

Operating Expenses --  On a GAAP basis, operating expenses were $6.2 billion, up 12%, and were 45.2% of revenue. Non-GAAP operating expenses were $4.8 billion, up 4%, and were 35.4% of revenue.

Operating Income -- GAAP operating income was $2.6 billion, down 38%, with GAAP operating margin of 19.2%. Non-GAAP operating income was $4.4 billion, down 17%, with non-GAAP operating margin at 32.5%.

Provision for Income Taxes -- The GAAP tax provision rate was 9.8%. The non-GAAP tax provision rate was 16.6%.

Net Income and EPS -- On a GAAP basis, net income was $2.2 billion, a decrease of 45%, and EPS was $0.54, a decrease of 44%. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $3.5 billion, a decrease of 25%, and EPS was $0.87, a decrease of 24%. 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities -- $3.7 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, a decrease of 37% compared with $6.0 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.

FY 2024 Highlights

Revenue -- Total revenue was $53.8 billion, a decrease of 6%. Splunk contributed approximately $1.4 billion of total revenue for fiscal 2024.

Net Income and EPS -- On a GAAP basis, net income was $10.3 billion, a decrease of 18%, and EPS was $2.54, a decrease of 17%. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $15.2 billion, a decrease of 5% compared to fiscal 2023, and EPS was $3.73, a decrease of 4%.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities -- $10.9 billion for fiscal 2024, a decrease of 45% compared with $19.9 billion for fiscal 2023.

Balance Sheet and Other Financial Highlights

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments -- $17.9 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, compared with $18.8 billion at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2024, and compared with $26.1 billion at the end of fiscal 2023.

Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) -- $41.0 billion, up 18% in total, with 51% of this amount to be recognized as revenue over the next 12 months. Product RPO were up 27% and services RPO were up 10%.

Deferred Revenue -- $28.5 billion, up 11% in total, with deferred product revenue up 15%. Deferred service revenue was up 9%. 

Capital Allocation -- In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we returned $3.6 billion to stockholders through share buybacks and dividends. We declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.40 per common share, or $1.6 billion, and repurchased approximately 43 million shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program at an average price of $46.80 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $2.0 billion. The remaining authorized amount for stock repurchases under the program is $5.2 billion with no termination date.

Cisco estimates the following results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025:

Cisco estimates that GAAP EPS will be $0.35 to $0.42 for the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

Cisco estimates the following results for fiscal 2025:

Cisco estimates that GAAP EPS will be $1.93 to $2.05 for fiscal 2025.

Our Q1 FY 2025 and FY 2025 guidance assumes an effective tax provision rate of approximately 17% for GAAP and approximately 19% for non-GAAP results.

A reconciliation between the guidance on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis is provided in the tables entitled "GAAP to non-GAAP Guidance" located in the section entitled "Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP Measures."

Editor's Notes:

• Q4 fiscal year 2024 conference call to discuss Cisco's results along with its guidance will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Conference call number is 1-888-848-6507 (United States) or 1-212-519-0847 (international).   
• Conference call replay will be available from 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, August 14, 2024 to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, August 20, 2024 at 1-866-510-4837 (United States) or 1-203-369-1943 (international). The replay will also be available via webcast on the Cisco Investor Relations website at https://investor.cisco.com .   
• Additional information regarding Cisco's financials, as well as a webcast of the conference call with visuals designed to guide participants through the call, will be available at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time, August 14, 2024. Text of the conference call's prepared remarks will be available within 24 hours of completion of the call. The webcast will include both the prepared remarks and the question-and-answer session. This information, along with the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation information, will be available on the Cisco Investor Relations website at https://investor.cisco.com .