Session Titles

Length

Session titles should be no more than 80 characters (including spaces and punctuation) per one-hour session. Half-hour sessions should be no more than 40 characters.

Composition

Session titles should be brief but specific. If you will be covering a broad topic, add a few words to your title to narrow down the scope.

Examples:

• ✖ Service Animals
• ✔ Service Animals: What is the Veterinarian's Role? (49 characters)
• ✖ Backyard Poultry
• ✔ Backyard Poultry: Individual Medicine and Surgery (49 characters)
• ✖ Tracheal Collapse Syndrome
• ✔ Treatment Strategies for Tracheal Collapse Syndrome (51 characters)

Audience & Level

For each session, please designate which audience(s) and skill/knowledge level(s) the presentation is geared toward. This helps attendees choose sessions that best fit their education and experience.

Audiences

• Veterinarians
• Technicians
• Practice managers/owners
• Hospital/shelter staff
• Behaviorists/trainers

Levels

1. Beginner
2. Intermediate
3. Advanced

Session Descriptions

Length & Composition

Please summarize your presentation in 3-5 bullet points consisting of up to 125 words total. Include a short lead-in sentence if needed for context (see examples below).

Content & Style

• Descriptions should be succinct but detailed enough to give attendees an accurate idea of what will be covered in your session(s).
• Tell attendees exactly what they can expect to learn, while keeping background information to a minimum.
• Third person, future tense preferred.
• Please spell out acronyms on first reference unless widely known to intended audience.

Examples:

The Institute of Veterinary Medical Devices (IVMD) approved widgets in 1950, but it wasn't until 2000 that veterinarians began using them. In this session, attendees will learn:

• What widgets are;
• How widgets can help them in their day-to-day practice; and
• Why IVMD prefers widgets over thingies and whosits.

(48 words)

A recent study found that 98 percent of people have trouble bonding with their pet fish. Despite attempts to snuggle or take them on walks, most fish refuse to love their owners—some even playing dead to avoid together time. In this lecture, participants will:

• Discover how to overcome brain chemistry that prevents fish from reciprocating owners' love;
• Practice conversing with fish in a way that helps them bond;
• Hear arguments for and against popular bonding activities (e.g., going to the park, taking a train ride, etc.); and
• Learn when not to attempt bonding with pet fish. (Spoiler alert: Pirhanas!)

(100 words)

Photograph

Speaker photographs are encouraged but not required.

Your photo will be included in the speaker list, located on the MVC website and in the mobile app.

Please submit a high-quality image of at least 200 dpi resolution.

Professional headshots are preferred.

Biography

Your bio will be included alongside your photo (if submitted) on the MVC website and mobile app. Your session moderator (should you elect to have one) will also use your submitted bio to introduce you.

Please limit the information included in your biography to professional details, such as:

• Post-secondary education, internships, and residencies
• Relevant employment
• Organization memberships
• Awards & recognitions

Biographies should be written in third person.

The maximum length is 200 words. When filling out the form, please re-read your entry before submitting to ensure nothing is cut off.

For examples, please see the 2021 MVC Speaker List.

Use a common font, such as Times New Roman, Arial, Georgia, Verdana or Trebuchet MS, to ensure your presentation displays correctly. Make sure the font you select is easy to read.
❯❯See Also: Recommended PC/Mac Presentation Fonts

Please do not insert company logos or otherwise promote specific companies, products, and/or services, unless doing so has an educational value.

Keep in mind that OVMA staff may have edited your submitted titles, so please refer to the Educational Program when composing your presentation title slide to ensure consistency.

Please use a light background with dark/bold text to improve readability and ensure your presentation is legible on all formats and sizes (mobile phone, printed, etc.). Note: The MVC presentation template meets these readability standards.

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Use a common, easy-to-read font.

Session title should be 14-point or higher*, all caps, bold, and centered on the first line at the top of the page.

• Keep in mind that OVMA staff may have edited your submitted titles, so please refer to the Educational Program when composing your presentation title slide to ensure consistency.

Skip a line after the title and insert your byline in 12-point*, title case, italic text.

Use 10- or 11-point font*, single spacing for paragraphs.

*Note regarding font sizes: Readability can vary by font family, so 12-pt. text in one typeface may be readable whereas 12 pt. in another may not. Please use your best judgment when setting type sizes. A good rule of thumb is: The title should be the largest and the body text the smallest, with the byline and subhead somewhere in between.

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