2026 Institute Presenter Information

Speakers receive complimentary registration for the day(s) they are presenting at the in-person conference and will also receive access to the Institute’s virtual component.

1. If you would like to participate in the full in-person conference (and are only speaking on one in-person day), please register and pay the appropriate fees, through your organization’s registration as a provider or business partner, or as an individual registrant if that applies to you. Please register yourself by Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, which is the early bird registration deadline.
2. If you are attending only the day you are presenting in-person LeadingAge Minnesota staff will register you after Jan. 7, 2026.

All rooms will be set with:

• Laptop loaded with Microsoft Office and your presentation
• Screen and LCD projector with remote
• 1 wireless lavaliere microphone
• 1 tabletop microphone
• Speaker table for two (more chairs will be added for larger panels)
• Theater-style audience seating to maximize room capacity for concurrent sessions.
• Tuesday Preconference sessions are set in rounds when capacity allows.

Your PowerPoint will be loaded on your session room laptop. Please plan on using LeadingAge Minnesota provided laptops unless otherwise indicated on the in-person Presenter Information Request Form.

Onsite Internet Access

• Wireless Internet access is free but is not reliable for accessing large files such as presentations or videos due to volume of use during the Institute.
• Hardwire Internet access is not available for concurrent sessions.

The live virtual sessions will:

• Be accessed through our Learning Center
• Set as Zoom Webinars unless you request a Zoom Meeting for interactive sessions
• Chat and Q&A features will be available
• While speaking, presenters are requested to have videos on for more engaging presentations

Upload site (link will be posted here and emailed in January)

• Do not include promotional content.
• Do not include copyrighted information (images, videos, cartoons, etc.).
• Ensure your content aligns with the session description and learning objectives.
• Make sure your presentation fills the full 60-minute session, including time for questions.
• Handouts (a PDF version of your PPT and any additional documents submitted) are posted in our conference app for registered attendees to print or download ahead of time.
• If you have an in-class case study or other document for small group work, include it on your PPT as it’s not safe to assume everyone will have access to an electronic or printed copy.
• Naming the Handouts: Use the naming format Session#_Date (ex. 100_Feb11.ppt).

PowerPoint Templates

Tuesday, Feb. 10: Preconference Intensive Workshop
Wednesday, Feb. 11: In-person Session
Wednesday, Feb. 11: In-person Session – Power of Peers
Thursday, Feb. 12: In-person Session
Tuesday, March 3: Virtual Session
Wednesday, March 4: Virtual Session
Thursday, March 5: Virtual Session

Exclusion of Promotional Content: Promotional content is NOT allowed in session presentations. This includes, but is not limited to, in-class surveys, speaker feedback/contact/evaluation forms, flyers for your upcoming programs, and sales pitches for your products or services from the podium.

Use of Video – Best Practices and Copyright Permission

• Please download and save it to your own laptop’s hard drive to bring with you, along with any adaptors you may require – particularly if you use Apple technology.
• Request sound for your laptop when you submit your Presenter Request Form. It is not automatically included in our standard AV set up.
• One more thing about videos – make sure you have the appropriate permissions to use them. Some common video sources like YouTube and Ted Talks may be copyright protected.
• If using video in a virtual presentation, you must select Share Sound when sharing your screen.

Interactive Learning Opportunities

• Interactive learning makes sessions more engaging for our members and helps to solidify learning.
• Examples include case studies in small groups, in class ‘quizzes’, the use of technology (polling by phone), two person conversations, scripted role playing, etc.
• Virtual sessions can ask for attendee engagement in the chat or through polling. Note: Polls need to be setup by LeadingAge Minnesota staff. Please provide questions 1 week prior to your presentation date.
• We strongly encourage all presenters to incorporate interactive learning into their session.

Session Hosts

Each session will be assigned a host to make sure your session runs smoothly. If there is a challenge, they are tasked with alerting LeadingAge Minnesota staff to help.

Onsite Speaker Check In

1. Plan to bring your final PowerPoint on a flash drive as a backup. Your PPT will be loaded on the session room laptop.
2. Plan to arrive at least one hour before your session to allow time for parking, check-in, and to arrive at your session room 15-20 minutes before the start time. RiverCentre Parking Ramp is recommended. Other options are available near RiverCentre and Excel Energy Center.
3. Print your name badge at the speaker registration counter located on the street level (Kellogg Blvd).
4. Bring your own bottle to fill at RiverCentre water stations. Water will not be provided at the podium.
5. Once you arrive at your session room and meet your session host, locate your PPT on the provided laptop, make sure it is working, and test the microphone you will use.

During Your Session

1. Getting started. Please begin on time with a brief introduction of yourself, where you work, and your session. Remind participants to share session feedback using the QR code. Survey links are also in the app.
2. During the Program. Please make sure to cover the published learning objectives for your session.
3. Speaker Introductions. Please your introductions brief (1-2 sentences per speaker) sharing background relevant to the presentation topic.
4. Audience Questions. Please repeat back any questions from the audience so all attendees can hear. Questions can be addressed during or at the end of your session, just make sure to save enough time to cover all your presentation content.
5. At the End.  (In-person only)

• Remind participants to share session feedback using the QR code. Survey links are also in the app.
• Thank the participants for attending and end the program.
• Don’t forget to gather your personal belongings (flash drives, cords, etc.).
• Make sure to leave the remote clicker and microphones in the meeting room.

You will receive your Zoom invitation on Friday, Feb. 27. This allows you to join 15-minutes prior to your start time, so that you can get set with your session host before participants join.

Items to Note

1. LeadingAge staff will be on the webinar with you to act as technical support and serve as a session host to share brief logistical instructions to attendees and to help watch the Q&A/chat for questions if needed.
2. Please plan to share and advance your slides and make your own brief introduction after the logistical announcements conclude.
3. Handouts that were provided in advance are available to participants in our Leaning Center. If you have additional handouts to post, we will add them as we receive them, and time allows.
4. Sessions will be recorded so participants can view on-demand through April 30.

During your Session

1. 15-minutes prior to start time. Use your Zoom link to join your session and get set.
2. Getting started. Your session host will begin on time with a few logistical announcements.
3. Speaker Introductions. Please your introductions brief (1-2 sentences per speaker) sharing background relevant to the presentation topic.
4. During the Presentation. Please make sure to cover the published learning objectives for your session.
5. Audience Questions. Please repeat any questions posted. Questions can be addressed during or at the end of your session, just make sure to save enough time to cover all your presentation content.
6. At the End. 

• Summarize key points and wrap up your topic.
• The Session Host will thank all for attending and will end the Zoom.

Prior to the in-person or virtual conference:

• Sharon Hollister: shollister@leadingagemn.org or 651.603.3506.
• Olivia Scott: oscott@leadingagemn.org or 651.603.3559.

During the conference: Visit the Speaker Registration Counter (in-person only) or text or call Sharon Hollister at 651.603.3506.