Session chairs play a vital role in the smooth running and timely management of the conference programme. We appreciate the efforts of the session chairs to facilitate the presentations and this information is provided as guidance to ensure that chairs can run sessions effectively. We seek your co-operation in reading these guidelines and ask that you act on them.

Prior to the conference, session chairs should familiarise themselves with the session timings, presentations and abstracts. Chairs are also encouraged to read the presenter guidelines and relevant speaker profiles listed in the online programme.

At the Congress, session chairs can:

• Visit the Congress Office (Room 3/12 off the Britten Room) for onsite and programme queries.
• Check the programme for changes.
• Visit the Speaker Preview Room (East Room) for technical queries.
• Visit the main Congress Hall (Fleming) to familiarise themselves with the layout.

Prior to session:

• Meet with the technicians in the Fleming room.
• Meet with speakers in the break preceding the session.
• Ask the speakers to check that they are happy with equipment and facilitate support from the technicians as required.
• Ask speakers to test microphones to check that the audio can be heard throughout the room.
• Test laser pointers and wireless presenters.
• Check that given programme details for introducing the speakers are correct (name, affiliation and presentation titles).
• Remind speakers of their talk times and confirm the method you will use to notify them when they are nearing their time limit and how you will notify them when they are reaching their allotted time (a traffic light system will be available).
• Be prepared to ask questions of the speakers to prompt audience discussion during the question and discussion times.