Festival of Excellence Etiquette

A Professional's Guide to the SUU Festival of Excellence

Welcome to the Festival of Excellence! This event is a celebration of the scholarly and creative work happening all across SUU. It's also a fantastic opportunity to practice the professional conduct expected at larger academic conferences.

Your professionalism reflects not only on you but on your mentors, your department, and the university. Use this guide to help you make a positive and lasting impression.

Professional Appearance & Preparation

How you present yourself is the first thing people notice. The goal is to be remembered for your ideas and professionalism, not your outfit.

• What to Wear (The "Conference Casual" Rule): While you don't need a full suit, you should aim for business casual or smart casual. This is a step above everyday college-class attire.
  • Good choices: Slacks, khakis, or a professional skirt; a collared shirt (polo or button-down), blouse, or nice sweater; and clean, closed-toed shoes (flats, loafers, or dress shoes).
  • Avoid: T-shirts with large graphics or slogans, ripped jeans, athletic wear, shorts, and flip-flops.
  • Tip for Presenters: Dress one step nicer than the audience. If you are giving an oral presentation or "ThunderTalk," business casual is the minimum.
• What to Bring:
  • A notebook and pen: For taking notes during sessions. This looks far more engaged than typing on a laptop or phone.
  • Your "Elevator Pitch": Be ready to introduce yourself! Prepare a 30-second summary of who you are, what you're studying, and what your research or project is about.

Etiquette for All Attendees (In-Person & Online)

Your behavior in a session shows respect for the presenter and other attendees.

During All Presentations (Oral, ThunderTalks, Performances)

• Arrive on Time, Stay for the Session: Professional conferences (and the Festival) schedule presentations in blocks. Plan to enter the room before the session block begins and stay for all presentations in that block.
• The "Quiet Entry/Exit" Rule: If you must arrive late or leave early, do so only between presentations, never in the middle of a talk. Choose a seat near the door for an unobtrusive exit.
• Technology = Silent Mode: Your phone must be completely silent (not just on vibrate). Put it away. Laptops or tablets should only be used for quiet note-taking. Texting, scrolling social media, or checking email is distracting and disrespectful to the presenter.
• Be an Active Listener: Give the presenter your full attention. Make eye contact, nod, and show you are paying attention and engaged in the presentation.
• Save Questions for the End: Each presenter is given a specific Q&A time (e.g., 3 minutes for oral presentations). Hold your questions until the presenter officially opens the floor for them.

How to Ask a Good Question

Asking a thoughtful question is one of the best ways to network.

• Do: Keep your question clear, concise, and directly related to the presentation. Start by thanking the presenter ("Thank you for that interesting talk...").
• Don't:
  • "Stump" the presenter: This isn't a competition. Ask for clarification or expansion, not to prove you know more than they do, or to ambush them on something not addressed.
  • Make a long comment: A Q&A session is for questions. Ask concise, clarifying questions. If you have a detailed comment, save it for a one-on-one conversation after the session.
  • Ask a multi-part question: Stick to one clear question to respect the time of other audience members.

Specifics for Presenters

This is your time to shine. Professionalism in your presentation is key.

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your talk multiple times. Your goal is to be confident, clear, and within the time limit.
  • Oral Presentations: You have 2 minutes for introductions and preparation, 10 minutes to present, and 3 minutes for questions. Do not go over.
  • ThunderTalks: You have 20 slides, 20 seconds per slide (6 min, 40 sec total). This format requires practice to get the timing right.
• Speak to Everyone: Project your voice, make eye contact with different people around the room, and avoid reading directly from your slides or notes.
• Avoid Jargon: The Festival is interdisciplinary. Your audience may include people from different disciplines such as English, Biology, and Business. Explain technical terms clearly and focus on the "so what?"—why your work matters.
• Handle Q&A with Grace:
  • Repeat the question: This ensures everyone heard it and gives you a second to think.
  • Be respectful: Thank the person for their question.
  • It's OK to say "I don't know": A professional response is, "That's an excellent question. I haven't looked at that specific variable, but it's a great idea for future research."

Navigating the Poster Session

The all-campus poster session is a prime networking event. It is different from an oral presentation.

For Poster Presenters:

• Stand by Your Poster: Don't sit down or hide behind it. Stand to the side, smile, and be ready to engage.
• Have Your "Spiel" Ready: Prepare a thirty-second and a 2-3 minute summary of your poster. When someone stops, make eye contact and ask, "Would you like me to walk you through my project?"
• Be a Host: This is your space. Welcome people, ask them what brought them to your poster, and be ready to answer questions.

For Attendees:

• Mingle and Engage: Don't just walk by. Stop and read the posters that interest you.
• Interact with the Presenter: If the presenter is free, make eye contact and introduce yourself. A simple "This looks interesting, can you tell me about your project?" is a perfect opener.
• Don't "Hit and Run": Spend at least a few minutes at a poster. If the presenter is busy with someone else, it's okay to read the poster and move on, or wait patiently for a moment.

By treating the Festival of Excellence as a professional development opportunity, you are building the skills and confidence you'll need for graduate school, national conferences, and your future career. Good luck!