Speaker Information

Welcome - North American Snow Conference Speakers!

This is your one-stop center for finding out what your responsibilities are as an APWA Snow Conference Speaker.
Please read all of the information presented in each of the links below and submit the requested forms by the stated deadlines.

We very much appreciate your efforts in preparing your presentation and would like to assist you in any way we are able. If you should have any questions, please contact Phyllis Muder, Project Manager at (816) 595-5211 or pmuder@apwa.net.

Visit the APWA Snow Conference website for a more complete look at the 2012 Snow Conference.
 

Speaker Checklist and Important Deadlines

SPEAKER RESPONSIBILITIES

Registering for Snow Conference: As a speaker at APWA's Snow Conference, you must still register as an attendee and pay the appropriate member or non-member registration fee.. You may do this by using the regular attendee form.  We will code you as a speaker once you are registered so you will receive a speaker's name badge.

If you are attending only on the day of your presentation, your registration is complimentary. You still must complete a registration form and fax it to Phyllis Muder at 816-595-5311 so that you are entered into the conference database to receive a name badge.  Do not use online registration or fax your form to the number on the form - complete the form and fax it directly to Phyllis to ensure that you are not billed for a one-day registration.  If you are attending the entire conference, you must pay the full registration fee - APWA does not apply single-day compensation against full registration fees.
 
Travel/Lodging Arrangements: You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements and covering the expenses connected with your travel to APWA's Snow Conference. Information about hotels is available on the Snow Conference website. Please make your hotel reservations early, as premium hotel space goes quickly.  Click here for host city information.

Audiovisual Equipment Guidelines: Most speakers at Snow Conference use PowerPoint slides in their presentations. APWA will provide an LCD projector as standard equipment in each session room, BUT - you must bring your own laptop computer. APWA will not supply laptop computers for speakers. Fill out and submit your Audiovisual Equipment Request Form online by February 11, 2012.

If You Must Cancel: Information about your presentation has been included in marketing materials prepared to announce this conference. Registrants expect and look forward to your presentation. If at any time you become unable to honor your commitment to participate, please notify Phyllis Muder at 816-595-5211 or pmuder@apwa.net. You will be asked to recruit a replacement speaker to assume your commitment.

Presentation Guidelines: APWA audiences come to Snow Conference expecting a professional level of exchange and to be able to take home information that will help their agencies provide improved public works services to their communities. The four most common complaints noted on evaluations from prior Snow Conferences are:

1. "The presentation was a 'sales' pitch for a particular product or service."
2. "I couldn't read the slides."
3. "One speaker took so much time that the others were not able to give their full presentations."
4. "I'd like more practical knowledge."

 
In response, these are the requirements we ask of you as you prepare for your presentation:

• APWA will post a PDF copy of the slides for the attendees as handouts. A full copy of your PowerPoint Presentation must be submitted to APWA by April 6^th, 2012 in an electronic format.

• For preparation tips, review our Tips on Using PowerPoint Slides and Other Visuals. Review the Tips on Using PowerPoint Slides and Other Visualsto make sure your visuals can be seen by your audience.

• If there are other speakers in your session, be sure to coordinate with them in advance to make sure that all of your presentations will fit into the assigned timeframe. If you do not have the contact information for the individuals you will be co-presenting with, please contact Phyllis Muder at 816-595-5211 or pmuder@apwa.net. We also recommend that you meet with the other speakers prior to your session to load all of your presentations on to one laptop computer.

• Selling from the podium can create conflict of interest problems for APWA. Presentations at APWA programs should never be advertisements for your products or services. If a product comparison is part of your presentation, disclose your financial interest in your product or service and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of competing products fairly.

Handouts Instructions:

We have a fast and easy way for you to submit your handouts. Simply upload your files to APWA's ftp site.

1. Name your file using the database code for your session and your last name. For example: "1710 Smith"
   (You can find the 4 digit database number on the attached speaker session report)
2. Click on this link to access the FTP site ( or copy the link and paste into your browser) ftp://education:education@ftp.apwa.net
3. If you have IE 7 or higher you may need to load the FTP site to your “network” places -follow the directions detailed in this document.
4. If the site ever asks for "Logon As" information, the username is "education" and the password is "education". (You can click the "Save password" box and the computer will remember it for you in the future.)
5. You may see this verbiage at the top of the page: “To view this FTP site in Windows Explorer, click Page, and then click Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer.” Follow these instructions (the page button is typically on the top right side of the screen)
6. Double click on the "NASC 2012 Handouts" folder to open it.
7. Drag and drop your handout file(s) into the folder.
8. Once your files appear in the window, you’re done! Simply click out of the site.

 
There is an alternative free web file transfer service that also works well. This site is
http://www.wetransfer.info/. Simply attach the file and send to pmuder@apwa.net.
 

If You Have Questions:

Phyllis Muder

Continuing Education Project Manager
Direct phone line: (816) 595-5211
Email: pmuder@apwa.net