Say It With A Poster

An Alternative to Presenting a Paper

View Submitted Video Posters Here

About Posters

IAIA meetings provide a range of opportunities for existing and prospective members to reach a global audience. Posters are a creative and popular alternative to the oral presentation of a paper.

In a poster session, there is no formal oral presentation; instead, each author is assigned a display area on which diagrams, graphics, data, pictures/photos, and a small amount of text are presented. The poster should be self-explanatory, but the author should be available at certain times, such as refreshment breaks and during the dedicated poster session, to interact with viewers and answer questions.

A poster that considers the needs of the intended viewer as well as those of the presenter can be a highly successful form of communication. Posters allow more time for authors and viewers to discuss the topic, more personal interaction and exchange of professional experience, ample question time with focus on your subject, and the potential for continued display of the poster at your workplace.

The Poster Session

A dedicated poster session is scheduled during the conference. As visitors peruse the display area, the poster presenters are then able to expand on material viewed, answer questions, exchange contact information, and fully discuss the subject matter.

Preparation Details

Each poster presenter is assigned one space on a flat, upright panel. Presenters are required to submit an abstract for the poster, to use the panels provided by IAIA, and to provide the materials to hold their posters in place and to hold any handouts (i.e., a large envelope). If you need more than one poster space, contact IAIA HQ for price information.

The shapes and dimensions of the boards and the materials from which the poster boards are constructed vary from year to year and are provided in the abstract acceptance notice and/or follow-up information sent to you by the program committee.

Posters that have not been through the review process (i.e., the author did not submit an abstract by the paper and poster abstract submission deadline) will not be permitted to be displayed on-site.

Poster Awards

IAIA recognizes excellence in poster presentation by selecting a Best Poster (Judges’ Choice) and Best Poster (Public Choice) during the conference. Winners are acknowledged throughout the conference with a ribbon on the poster designating its "Best" status, and authors are awarded certificates and highlighted in the IAIA newsletter.

Posters are assessed by the judges according to four criteria:

1. Presentation
2. Information
3. Interest
4. Research

• Presentation means the extent to which the poster is presented well, in a visual sense.
• Do the text and graphics convey the poster’s theme?
• Is it well designed? Does the designer make good use of the space?
• Is the relationship between text and graphics/pictures well balanced?
• Is the font size of the text appropriate to the message? Is it easily readable?
• Are the illustrations used appropriately?
• Is the poster aesthetically pleasing?
• Does the poster attract attention?

• Information means the extent to which the poster conveys a message.
• Does the poster deliver a message?
• Is there too little or too much information?
• Is the poster internally coherent?
• Do the graphics convey information?
• Is the content understandable?

• Interest/Innovation refers to the capacity of the poster to attract and raise interest, from a content and design perspective.
• Is the story interesting or exciting? Does it stimulate curiosity?
• Does it add value to research?
• Is it original in its content or findings?
• Are its layout and presentation original?
• Is enthusiasm or commitment exhibited?

• Research refers to the quality of the conceptual and methodological framework of the research presented in the poster.
• Was the starting hypothesis sound?
• Is the methodology mentioned? Is the methodology sound?
• Are aims and objectives mentioned? Do the objectives fulfill the aim?
• Are the conclusions/results presented? Are they sound? Are they relevant to the conceptual framework?

Each criterion is assessed using a simple rating system:

• 3 = very good/excellent
• 2 = good, average
• 1 = below average, poor

The scores will be tallied for each poster. The poster with the highest total score shall be deemed the winner. If there is a tie, the judges shall confer, and shall consider additional issues such as innovation and other matters as they might determine.

Tips for Poster Preparation

• Plan ahead and know your poster layout (trial your display with colleagues).
• Include a large-print heading with the title of the poster, author’s name, and contact details.
• Make all lettering visible from 2.5 meters.
• Be visually clear and inviting. Have illustrations simple and bold.
• Be concise. Use outline form and minimize text (personal discussion will elaborate).
• Make viewing sequence reader-friendly (use arrows, numbers, headings).
• Be accessible in language; avoid jargon and abbreviations.
• A poster may be a group of separate pictures, diagrams, and some text, or an entirely pre-assembled complete poster. High-tech is not essential, but a very high standard of clarity and visibility are vital to convey your message.
• Vary spatial use (color, texture, graphics, open space).
• Supplement data with a handout of your abstract or project statement.
• Please do not display typed pages of a conference paper (these are not appropriate in poster format), clutter all of the space (not inviting), or leave preparation to the last minute. Posters that do not minimum quality standards may be eliminated from display by the program committee.
• Advertising is not permitted.