Presenting at Elevating Cougs? Whether you’re a returning for another year or bringing your knowledge to the conference for the first time, welcome!
Explore resources and helpful guidance for Elevating Cougs presenters below:
Practice Dates & Information
All speakers and moderators are strongly encouraged to take advantage of practice dates. The practice dates for the 2025 conference are:
- October 1 & 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 8, 9, & 10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 13 & 14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During these dates, presenters and moderators may access the Zoom Test Elevating Cougs platform to explore the platform functionality and rehearse their sessions. Presenters and moderators will receive a link to the Test conference platform in a direct communication.
During practice days, the Elevating Cougs team is available to help. Please reach out via Teams or email at hrs.training@wsu.edu if you have questions.
During your practice session in the Test platform, be sure to review the following actions:
- Can you share your screen?
- Can you open and move through your presentation files?
- Does your camera, background, and mic work as expected?
- (If using Webinar format) Can you access the Backstage area and move into the presentation once it starts?
Presenters are encouraged to use available practice dates to ensure:
- Any technical issues that may impact your presentation are resolved.
- You are proficient in the technical aspects of the Zoom platform so you are able to focus on the content of your presentation.
- You are able to run through your presentation smoothly, and be professional and engaging.
Feel calm, confident, and prepared for presentation day by reviewing these tips and considerations for before and during your session:
Can you be seen?
Review your video quality!
- Are you well lit?
- Is your camera angle to your liking?
- If desired, download and use the Elevating Cougs Zoom background at the bottom of this page.
- Is your internet connection stable and reliable?
- Check your internet speed using this online tool.
- Remote and international attendees should connect to the VPN prior to accessing the Zoom events platform.
Learn how to test your video in Zoom using this guide.
Can you be heard?
Review your sound quality!
- Does your microphone work?
- Are you presenting in a quiet space?
- Do you need to reduce background noise?
- Are you speaking at a clear volume and speed?
Learn how to test your audio in Zoom using this guide.
Can you be understood?
Ensure your presentation is well-prepared, polished, and professional!
- Prepare the language and cadence you’ll use during your session beforehand.
- Know and practice your presentation style so you can be comfortable and confident on the day!
- Time your session and adjust your pacing as needed. Allow enough time to cover all the information in your session.
- Do you have a co-presenter? Rehearse together beforehand to make sure you’re aligned on your presentation content, style, and flow.
- Connect with your moderator in advance to determine responsibilities for introductions, support, and Q&A when you present your session.
- Know how to navigate Zoom functionality. See the “Practice Day Checklist” above to ensure you’re comfortable with the platform.
For Moderators
Download the Moderator Guide for use during your sessions.
Navigating the Zoom Conference Platform
Elevating Cougs uses the Zoom Events platform to host all conference sessions, session details, and speaker information. Prior to the conference, presenters will receive communications including their speaker registration and access information, as well as the opportunity to practice their session within a test platform.
Learn more about the platform below:
The Zoom conference platform allows speakers to choose from two different session types with unique features that may suit your session content and preferences regarding audience interaction.
When preparing your session, you will be asked to select one of the following formats:
- Webinar
- Webinars provide structured audience participation by removing all attendees’ access to cameras, microphones, and general chat.
- Webinar attendees may only submit questions using the Q&A feature, and questions are not publicly displayed.
- Speakers and moderators may preview and curate questions using the Q&A feature.
- Speakers and moderators may communicate via a private chat feature which is not visible to attendees.
- Speakers, co-hosts, and moderators may use the private Backstage feature to gather before and after the session.
- Webinars may be considered by those who are concerned about time constraints for their session or for Q&A, or who wish to vet potentially sensitive questions before answering them. Those who anticipate a session audience of more than 100 may also consider the webinar format.
- Meeting
- Meetings function similarly to a regular Zoom meeting.
- Meetings allow attendees full access to their cameras, microphones, and the meeting chat.
- Text entered in the meeting chat is visible to all attendees and speakers. Attendees may send private messages to speakers or other attendees using the chat.
- Speakers can more freely interact with attendees via audio and video and allow attendees to ask questions aloud or share their screens.
- If needed, moderators and co-hosts may manually mute attendees.
- Meetings are recommended for those who wish to interact freely with session attendees using audio, video, and chat. Those who have planned audience participation as part of their session are encouraged to consider the meeting format.
Here’s how to access your session during testing, and on the day of the conference:
- Follow the link to the Zoom conference platform.
- Log in to the platform using your WSU credentials.
- From the Lobby page (the conference home page), scroll down to the “Your Sessions” section and locate the correct session.
- Select “Start” or “Start Backstage” to begin your practice or live session.
- If your session is in webinar format, select “Start backstage.”
- If your session is in meeting format, select “Start.”
Alternately, you may navigate to the Speakers page to view your bio and access the list of sessions you’re presenting. To do so:
- Select “Speakers” from the main menu located at the top of the conference platform.
- Enter your name in the Search field, or scroll down to find your name and photo alphabetically.
- Select your name to access your bio and list of sessions.
For meeting format sessions:
After you select the “Start” button, you will enter the session in the same way we enter a normal Zoom meeting.
Attendees will have access to a regular Chat box, a Q&A box, and may interact with presenters via their camera and mics.
For Webinar format sessions:
After you select the “Start backstage” button, you will be taken to the backstage area. Here, only the presenters, co-hosts, and moderators can see and hear themselves. While backstage, attendees cannot see or hear you.
Two steps are required to officially start a webinar session. First, a presenter must select the blue “Start webinar” button at the top of the screen to begin the webinar. Then, each presenter needs to select “Webinar” icon from the menu located at the bottom to the screen to leave the backstage and enter the webinar. You need to enter the webinar for attendees to see and hear you and for them to see your screen, if sharing.
In the webinar, the attendees may only interact with presenters via the Q&A feature. They do not have cameras or mics.
Building Your Presentation
Along with recordings of all sessions, Elevating Cougs presentation slide decks are made available to the WSU community following the conference in Percipio. Therefore, it is critical that all materials are built using WSU’s Digital Accessibility core concepts.
The resources and templates below help speakers in preparing accessible presentations and supporting materials.
It is recommended that presenters use either the Elevating Cougs presentation template or to select a university-branded template provided by WSU.
Presenters may adjust the layout and design of the templates above as needed, however, changes must adhere to WSU accessibility standards for digital materials.
As a 100% digital and virtual event, all Elevating Cougs presentations and materials should comply with WSU’s Digital Accessibility standards. Slide decks presented at Elevating Cougs should include the following:
- Font size no smaller than 18 pt. on slide text and in infographics.
- Contrast between text and background compliant with WCAG 2.0 level AA (contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.) To check contrast level, use the WebAIM contrast checker.
- Captions or alt. text provided for all images except those purely for decoration.
Learn more about building accessible presentations in the WebAIM PowerPoint Accessibility guide.
The Elevating Cougs presentation template is built in compliance with these requirements. Download the template here.
More Helpful Resources
Find recent communications and additional helpful resources for presenters below.
