Guidance for presenters
Deadlines
Please submit your presentation slides by Oct. 5, 2026, so our team can review them for accessibility before the conference.
Send your final PowerPoint, Apple Keynote or other standalone presentation file to av@digicol.org using WeTransfer, a free file transfer service.
Still finalizing your slides?
We understand that some presenters prefer to continue to refine their slides up until the last minute.
If your slides are not ready by Oct. 5, email a link to your online presentation to av@digicol.org instead.
Session recording availability
Attendees will have on-demand access for four weeks after the event through the conference website. DigiCol paid members will have long-term access through the Professional Development Library.
After your session, we will ask you to send the final version of your slides so they can be included with the video recording of your presentation.
Presentation formats
45-minute track session
The 45-minute track sessions are your standard conference fare. Presentations are limited to 45 minutes, but they typically run about 30 to 40 minutes, with a live Q&A to follow.
Lightning talks
Lightning talks are like a series of mini keynotes. Four of our community members give high-energy presentations to all of our attendees. These presentations are 8 to 10 minutes long, with no audience Q&A. A DigiCol emcee keeps the energy flowing between each speaker.
Workshops
DigiCol hosts pre- and post-conference workshops on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons. When you lead a workshop, you get the chance to dive deep into a topic for 3 1/2 hours. These sessions offer hands-on learning and thoughtfully designed content. We build in scheduled breaks to support both presenters and attendees.
Rooms and technical equipment
We ask that you bring your own laptop to run your presentation, or consult with your track chairs to make other arrangements. Each track room offers HDMI and USB-C cables for you to connect to the projector. If your device uses unusual or other connectors (or if you have needed other adapters for past presentations), please bring those adapters.
Presentation content
Accessibility
Please consider these accessibility best practices when designing your presentation slides and recording your videos.
- Check your type and background colors for a nice contrast. Choose bold over subtle. Use this color contrast checker to verify your color sections.
- Make sure your font size is large, and be aware of the amount of type you are placing on a single slide. Choose simple, short and large type size over complex, long and small type size. Fonts like Calibri and Calibri Light (defaults) are easier to read than more elaborate fonts.
- When using images on your slides to illustrate your point, include a reference to or description of the image while you are speaking, so those with low vision or those who aren't able to view your slides will still understand the substance of your point.
More resources on accessible conference presentations
Inclusive language
Words are powerful. They shape the stories we tell, how we share knowledge, and how we connect with one another. Even with the best intentions, our language choices can have unintended, harmful effects.
Many common terms and phrases carry histories or references that may not be widely known but can still cause harm. At DigiCol, we promote inclusion and ask all presenters to be mindful of the language used during sessions. What feels neutral to one person may feel exclusionary — or even offensive — to someone else.
Harmful language can be perceived as harassment and may violate our code of conduct. Please avoid language that is harmful to people with disabilities, language of a sexual nature, language that leverages racism or gendered language.
s you create your slides and deliver your presentation, take time to review your language. If a word or phrase could make someone feel excluded, look for a more inclusive alternative. Your thoughtfulness helps ensure everyone in our community feels welcome, respected and heard.
- "...so that we couldn't just ask the web guy to do it…" versus "…so we couldn't just ask the web person to do it…"
- "…we were going into the project totally blind…" versus "…we were going into the project with no information whatsoever…"
- "…our first designs were so lame…" versus "…our first designs were really awful…"
Industry jargon and technical acronyms are often appropriate and necessary in a DigiCol presentation, but be sure to include an opportunity to quickly explain or describe the term for those in the audience who may not already be familiar.
Keep in mind that during the conference, attendees will be participating from all over the world. Avoid assuming knowledge of United States or North American laws, and be mindful that not everyone is in the same time zone.
It’s fine to include an in-joke or pop culture reference in your presentation, but consider the folks in the audience who may not be in on the joke. Let those who get the reference have a laugh, but also provide an explanation or some context to bring new people in, rather than leave them feeling left out.
Language both reflects and reinforces our assumptions, biases and stereotypes. We will all make mistakes sometimes. If someone calls your attention to language choices in your presentation, take a moment to thank them for letting you know, and reflect on how you might improve your presentation style or content to help remove those barriers going forward.
More resources on inclusive language and conference presentations
Questions?
Email conference@digicol.org for support.