Chairing at C15
Do you want to act as a conference chair during one of the conference sessions? We need delegates to chair panel debates/discussions and sessions which include presentations.
Below are a few notes to clarify what is expected of if you are interested in chairing a session at C15. If you wish to act as a conference chair, please email c15@tht.org.uk.
- In the 15 minutes or so before your session starts please go to your session room to meet with speakers and check you have all that's needed. If there are problems, report to the THT registration desk and we'll get help sent to you. Your room details will be with us at the THT desk when you register and will be also listed on the conference timetable in the printed conference programme.
- Agree with your speakers before the session starts how they want to be discreetly reminded when their time is running out. Each speaker will already know the maximum length of time they should speak for. This is usually 15 minutes depending on the length of the conference session. One suggestion is to pass them a note 5 minutes before their time is up (if the speaker and chair are near enough to each other). Also agree the running order with your speakers (this will usually be in the order the speakers are listed in the programme). Unless there are good reasons for having questions after each speaker (such as a speaker not being able to stay for the whole session), all questions should come after the last speaker has spoken (this avoids later speakers running out of time as a result of earlier questions to previous speakers).
- Please ensure your session starts on time - or max 5 minutes late to accommodate late comers.
Ask if the audience can hear you (i.e. that the microphones are working). Welcome people to the session, giving its title (so people know straight away if they’re in the wrong place). Remind people to switch off mobile phones. - Introduce yourself (name, job title, agency, what you do, what you've done in the past if it's relevant to the session).
- Introduce the speakers (name, job title, agency, what they do, their previous experience if relevant).
- Outline the session's format (how long each speaker will talk and, very briefly, what on. Also say when questions should be asked from the audience and when the session will end).
- Field the questions and answers i.e. pick those indicating they want to speak. It helps to repeat the question in case it wasn't heard by all audience members. Have a couple of questions prepared in advance in case there are no questions. For sessions in the larger rooms we provide roaming microphones for people asking questions so locate these before the session starts.
- Finish on time (or before, if lacking questions). Thank speakers and audience. Remind delegates that downloadable speaker notes/presentations will be posted on the conference web site a few weeks after the conference.