Guidelines for ACE Festival Attendees

While you can view the posters any time during the day, you will learn more if you come during scheduled session times.

During those times, presenters will be standing by their posters, eager to share about their projects. You are expected to talk to presenters and ask questions about their work. 

Expect some noisy, positive energy as simultaneous conversations take place around the exhibit hall!

Choose a poster - any poster - and engage with the presenter to learn about their project. The presenter knows you may know nothing whatsoever about statistics or linguistics – their job is to explain it to you. 

Visit a several posters from around the exhibit area - look for presenters who are not engaged and talk to them. Don’t leave until you have learned something new!

Come to an oral session expecting to listen, learn, and be stretched by new ideas! After several presentations, there will be time for questions from the audience – your chance to engage with the presenter.

Expected practices of common courtesy include the following:

• Arrive in time to be seated before the session’s start time.
• Do not enter or leave the room in the middle of a presentation. Plan to stay for the whole session. (If you must slip in or out mid-session, do so between presentations.)
• Turn off all electronic devices during presentations.
• Do not engage in conversation or other work while someone is speaking; give the presenter your full attention.

It all boils down to the “golden rule” – treat the presenter the way you would like to be treated if you were in his/her place.

• Plan to be there a few minutes early to view the exhibit before the artist talk begins. (You will understand the talk in greater depth if you have viewed the pieces in advance.)
• If you miss the artist talk, look for an artist statement and read it before viewing the art.
• Attend the exhibit with an open mind, recognizing that the artist is inviting you to join in his/her creative experience.
• The artist will appreciate any questions or insights you have so BE BRAVE and speak up if time is provided for Q & A.
• Feel free to return to the exhibit later!

If you’ve read the above, we think you can figure the rest out!

• Come prepared to actively engage.
• Show respect for the presenters and their work.
• Don’t leave until you have learned or experienced something new!

And finally, be aware that meal and snack breaks at academic conferences are intended to provide opportunity for professional networking in a more informal setting… and so the celebration continues!