Presenter Guidelines and Tips

The National Child Nutrition Conference is committed to providing a high-quality conference experience. Conference presenters play a key role in this experience, and we are grateful for your commitment to providing your insights and expertise to the CACFP and SFSP community. The following are guidelines and tips to help support your success at the conference.

Before the Conference

1. Know Your Audience

• Understand the demographics of the National Child Nutrition Conference. Attendees operate, oversee or support the CACFP and/or the SFSP child nutrition programs.

2. Prepare Your Content

• Ensure your presentation is clear, concise, and engaging. Aim to deliver key messages effectively.
• Use the required PowerPoint template.
• Ensure that your content will meet your time obligation.  (Workshops 1 hr; Academies 2-3 hours; Speed Sessions and Shop Talks 30 minutes)
• A best practice is to prepare 3-4 questions you can expand on to prevent ending early. 
• If you were selected to present in a hybrid format, please keep the virtual audience in mind. Our virtual staff will reach out to provide a practice session so you can get used to the additional equipment.
• Need assistance? Have questions? Attend Office Hours or email conference@cacfp.org.

3. Practice

• Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure smooth delivery. Time yourself to stay within the allotted time.
• Practice in front of a colleague or friend to get feedback.

4. Materials Submission

• Prior to submitting, please review our PDF to be sure that your presentation meets our guidelines. This will minimize the number of times the presentation reviewer sends it back for revisions and edits.
• Submit your presentation materials (slides, handouts) no later than February 19, 2027.   

During the Conference

1. Check-In

• Visit the conference registration desk to pick up your badge and speaker ribbon.
• Adhere to the Conference Attendee Policies.

2. Stay on Time

• Arrive at your assigned presenter room 15 minutes before your presentation time.  Stick to your allotted time to respect the schedule and other presenters.
• An Ambassador will be in your room to help you prepare for your presentation. Should you need help or have questions, please ask the Ambassador.
• Please follow these time guidelines for sessions:
• Workshops (a minimum of 50 minutes of content with 10 minutes reserved for Q&A or additional content if the audience has no questions)
• Speed Sessions (30 minutes of content; speed sessions do not have Q&A)
• Preconference and Postconference Academies (2-3 hours of content with time for questions and a 10-minute break if needed)
• Shop Talks (30 minutes of facilitated discussion; no PowerPoint)

3. Share Your Expertise

• You were selected to share your expertise with the audience. By presenting, you are impacting your audience and thus helping to support the CACFP and SFSP. Thank you.

4. Technical Issues

• If technical issues arise, alert your Room Ambassador.

5. Required Slides for the Audience

• Mention that your slide deck and any related materials you submitted can be found in the attendee library (slide provided in your template).
• Ensure attendees rate your session in the Yapp App (slide provided in your template).

6. Connect with the Audience

• Let your audience know they can find your contact information in the Yapp App.
• More questions? If attendees have additional questions after your presentation has ended, please step into the hallway or make arrangements for connecting later in the conference. Please be respectful of the next presenter.

After the Conference

1. Speaker Survey

• Please complete your attendee speaker survey.

2. Attendee Feedback

• • You may request feedback from your session. Feedback will be ready by April 30, 2027.  Email conference@cacfp.org if you would like feedback from your session(s).