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August 17-20, 2026 | metsoc@cim.org

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Session Chair Guidelines

Thank you for your time as an onsite Session Chair at COM 2023!

Before the event

The speakers have been notified of the date and time of their presentations, along with detailed guidelines to assist them in preparing their talks. The program is available online on the conference website.

At COM 2026

There will be NO printed program available onsite.

You will have the opportunity to download a mobile application specifically designed for the conference. Once you have installed the app on your device, you can view the live technical program for any last-minute changes.

Responsibilities

  • Introduce the session topic and the speakers
  • Before the start of each session, it is important to deliver a safety note to the audience (See script).
  • Maintain the program schedule.
  • Monitor badge access: Only people with badges are allowed into sessions. Inform a security guard/MetSoc staff if you see someone suspicious.
  • Attend the mandatory meeting (See details below).
  • Complete the session survey

Mandatory Meetings for Session Chairs and Speakers

  • In all technical rooms, all authors and individuals chairing sessions that day must meet 15 MINUTES PRIOR to the start of the session to collect biographies and upload presentations onto the computer. This procedure typically takes place during the coffee breaks from Tuesday to Thursday.

General Information

  • The presenter preview room is in Glen 208. It is open from Tuesday-Thursday.
  • To ensure the smooth running of your presentation, avoid using videos and / or animations in your PowerPoint presentations.
  • All technical rooms will be equipped with computers, laser pointers, podium microphones, and slide advancement clickers.
  • Presenters have been instructed to bring a hardcopy of their presentation stored on a USB stick. No laptop hook-ups are permitted.

During Your Session

  • START SESSIONS ON TIME using your smartphone timer.
  • Use the sample script on page 2 to assist you in maintaining the flow of the sessions.
  • STAY ON SCHEDULE! Please ensure that sessions stay on schedule as we have multiple concurrent sessions. This is crucial because many attendees move between sessions to hear specific talks at specific times.
  • ABSENT SPEAKERS: If a scheduled speaker does not show up, DO NOT START THE NEXT PRESENTATION EARLY; honour the original timing outlined in the program. Use the available time to allow attendees to check their emails, stretch, or take a short break.
  • ALLOTTED TIME: Speakers have 15 minutes for their presentation, followed by 5 minutes for questions, totaling 20 minutes. (Keynote presentations may have 40 minutes total). Please time the presentations carefully to ensure that the session runs according to the schedule.
  • SESSION PROBLEMS: If any problems arise, please promptly notify the AV staff or a COM staff member at the registration desk of the meeting rooms.