The 60-second walkthrough

At a poster session, your poster is only half the presentation. The other half is you. Prepare a short walkthrough for when someone stops.

The walkthrough

In about 60 seconds:

1. The problem, in one sentence. ("Small farms can't build disease detectors because they don't have big datasets.")
2. What you did, in one sentence.
3. The main finding, pointing to the key figure.
4. Why it matters, in one sentence.
5. An invitation: "Would you like to see how we did it?" or "What's your experience with this?"

Then stop and let them talk. A poster session is a conversation, not a lecture.

Adapt to the visitor

Ask early: "Do you work on something similar?" A specialist wants methods and details; someone from another field wants the big picture.

Practical tips

• Stand beside the poster, not in front of it.
• Don't pounce: let people look for a few seconds, then offer: "Can I walk you through it?"
• Have a pen and notebook or your phone ready to note questions and contacts.
• Bring A4 copies or a QR code for people to take the work with them.
• Ask visitors for feedback: poster sessions are one of the best sources of new ideas and collaborators.

RememberHave a 60-second walkthrough ready: problem, method, finding, why it matters, then an invitation to talk.