You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips to make the most out of your experience.

Poster presentations are not just about displaying your work—they allow you to foster meaningful interactions and discussions within the community. While you may find yourself interacting with attendees, there may also be times when you are in between discussions, waiting for the next person to approach your poster.

During these moments, we encourage you to make the most of your time. Whether it’s catching up on reading, checking your email, or planning your schedule for the next day, use these breaks efficiently. Remember, your poster is on display, not you. While it’s ideal that you stay near your poster during your presentation time, we also understand that an hour can be a long stretch. Don’t hesitate to take short breaks, stay hydrated, and explore the other posters around you.

Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of proactive engagement. If you feel comfortable, consider sending out a couple of emails inviting colleagues or individuals whose talks interest you to stop by your poster. This proactive approach can help enhance the visibility of your research and attract valuable interactions. There is a feature available in the abstract portal that you can use to personally invite fellow TAGC attendees to see your poster. You will be limited to three invitations; these are sent directly through the abstract portal, where you’ll find the TAGC 2024 attendee list. Your invitees will get an automated email telling them the date and time of your poster presentation.

Poster presentations offer a unique opportunity to not only present your findings but also participate in discussions about your science. Embrace these interactions as they arise and be open to questions and inquiries from attendees. If someone asks you a question you’re unsure about, don’t hesitate to acknowledge it and offer to follow up via email. This demonstrates your willingness to engage further and ensures that all inquiries are addressed comprehensively.

Finally, we want everyone to feel supported and included at TAGC 2024. The poster sessions at GSA Conferences are often rated as a favorite by attendees, due to their inclusivity and the support and encouragement that presenters receive from attendees. We encourage you to embrace this spirit of collaboration and reach out if you have any questions or need assistance leading up to the conference.

We are thrilled to have you as part of TAGC 2024 and look forward to seeing you showcase your research and engage with our vibrant community!

Guest posts are contributed by members of our community. The views expressed in guest posts are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily endorsed by the Genetics Society of America. If you'd like to write a guest post, e-mail communications@genetics-gsa.org.

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