Virtual Meeting Participation

Virtual Platform Now Live! The virtual platform is now available for you to visit! The virtual meeting begins on Tuesday, September 28, at 6:00 a.m. and ends on Sunday, October 3, at 3:30 p.m. To learn more about virtual attendee participation tips, timelines, and resources for a successful meeting, please click here.

Virtual participation for the 117th American Political Science Association’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition will take place September 28–October 3, 2021.

The 2021 APSA Annual Meeting virtual platform is available here! All business meetings, receptions, and sessions will be accessed on the platform. In the meantime, please review the tips and timeline below for a successful virtual meeting. 

Preparation Tips and Timeline for the Annual Meeting

  • The evening before your presentation or participation:
    • Power off your computer. Like humans, machines need rest.
    • Ensure your device, operating system, and Zoom updates are installed in advance of the meeting time.
  • On the day of the meeting:
    • To the extent possible, have a private area with minimal interruptions.
    • If at home, consider not having other individuals stream at the same time, if possible.
    • If using a laptop, plug it into the charger.
    • Be in a room with a strong internet connection.
    • If you have ability to use a wired connection (an ethernet cable), this is recommended.
    • If possible, limit other internet connections on your network during the time of your presentation.
    • Consider a headset with a microphone and earphones and test the sound in advance to ensure others can hear you clearly.
    • Make sure that the main light source in the room is in front of you. We recommend you do not have a window or bright light behind you.
    • Keep system usage to a minimum. Minimize system resources by only having windows or applications open that you need for the meeting or presentation.
  • Just prior to your session and during your session:
    • Log into the virtual meeting platform 15 minutes prior to the start of the session.
    • Silence or power off your phone.
    • Be aware of where your device camera is. Make sure it is at eye level and look at the camera when delivering your comments in order to facilitate better engagement with the viewers. If you are presenting formal remarks, be sure to rehearse in front of a camera so that you can see how your delivery will look.
    • If you are presenting, be sure to have a water nearby.
    • Avoid busy backgrounds.
    • Keep your slides concise.
    • Be respectful of the time available for all participants and the Q&A.
    • Refer back to other points you’ve made in case a participant joins late.
    • Mute your line if you are not presenting to reduce background noise.

If you wish to opt-out of having your presentation recorded, please complete the recording opt-out form. Please note that if one presenter opts out, the whole panel will not be recorded or posted on the virtual platform. Livestreaming panels that opt-out of recording will still be livestreamed to the virtual attendees.

Virtual Session Access from Onsite for In-Person Attendees

Rooms have also been set aside for in-person attendees to participate in virtual panels from Seattle from their own personal device or laptop. These rooms will feature 6′ tables with chairs and an electricity drop. Meeting spaces will have general conference wifi access. We recommend bringing your device/laptop, power cord, and headphones/headset. 

All rooms below are open 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For earlier morning sessions, we recommend using the complimentary wifi in the guest room.

  • Sheraton
    • Juniper and Leschi (Tuesday  through Sunday at 3:30 p.m.)
    • Capitol Hill, Greenwood, and Kirkland will also have seating and tables, but not electricity (Thursday  – Sunday at 3:30 p.m.)
    • Grand Ballroom B (Thursday only)
  • Washington State Convention Center
    • 203, 213, 304, and 306 (Tuesday through Sunday at 3:30 p.m.)
    • 609 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
    • 201 (Thursday and Friday)
    • 202 and 210 (Thursday  – Sunday at 3:30 p.m.)
  • The Conference Center
    • Skagit 1, Chelan 2, 4, and 5 (Thursday – Sunday at 3:30 p.m.)

      Additionally, all conference hotels offer guest room wifi.