Before arriving onsite

• Register to attend the 2025 APSA Teaching & Learning Conference, in Alexandra, VA, held on February 7 through February 8.
• Book your hotel by January 31 to receive discounted group rates (first come, space available basis.)
• Review the TLC track format. All attendees select a track when attending. Presenters should select the track they are participating on. We ask that attendees stay in the track they selected when attending sessions onsite. 
• If you are a paper author, upload your paper or circulate it to your fellow panelists in advance of the conference.
• View the Online Program to access panel and sessions details. You must be logged in to view session and panel locations.
• Any PowerPoint slides you prepare should complement your talk, rather than replace it. Limit your slides to key points and findings that benefit from visual display only.
• If you plan to present a slideshow, please let the track moderator know, and be sure to pack your laptop (and an HDMI cord if you have one – and for Apple products, an adapter), and create your slideshow. Each panel room will be set up with a screen and projector. Most rooms will be set in theater seating.
• Practice your presentation. Time yourself. Practice again in front of an audience in your department or with your colleagues. Practice speaking in front of a mirror to help with maintaining eye contact.
• Review the APSA RESPECT Campaign and Code of Conduct.  

During the Presentation/Workshop

•  Avoid reading directly from your notes
• Remind the audience to ask questions.
• Be enthusiastic and confident. No one has thought more about your presentation than you, and the audience will appreciate your interest and excitement.
• Stay within your allotted time. The moderator will remind you when your time is almost up, but we also recommend using a phone or watch to time and pace yourself.
• If you find yourself running behind, it’s fine to briefly scan your notes and organize your thoughts. Find ways to condense your final remarks rather than simply speaking more quickly. There is not need to apologize or explain why you are running out of time.
• At the end of your time, close by thanking the audience and welcoming any questions or comments. 

After Your Presentation

• After your panel/workshop, be sure to follow up with the other participants via email, not only as a professional courtesy, but especially if you are interested in additional feedback or would like to pursue future collaboration. 

Moderator Instructions

• Moderators serve an integral role in ensuring the panel/workshop is organized and that all participants have time to speak and receive feedback. They are critical to a panel running smoothly.
• If it is a paper panel, ensure all authors have circulated their paper in advance of the meeting. If they have not, send a reminder a week in advance of the conference. 
• Before the session begins, be sure to reach out to the panelists. Confirm their information for your introductions, including name pronunciations and current affiliation. Inform panelists of the format, including how much time they will have to talk, if necessary. Plan for adequate time at the end (approximately a third or fourth of the total panel time) for audience questions and discussion. 
• For roundtables, prepare a few questions ahead of time to assist with ongoing dialogue, if needed. 
• Arrive in the panel room at least 10 minutes in advance of the scheduled session time. 
• Remind participants to mute their phones and devices before starting the session.
• Give a brief overview on the panel/workshop and a quick introduction of panelists. Notify participants that there will be time for Q&A at the end.
• Moderate the session. Heave few stock phrases prepared to interject into the discussion, if needed.
• Help panelists keep their presentations to the allotted time, and remember to signal time remaining toward the end. In order to keep the panel on schedule and ensure everyone has  enough time, be prepared to politely, but firmly, asks panelists to conclude if they have gone over their allotted time.