Thank you for joining our speaker cohort!
This dashboard is designed to quickly give you the information you need to rock your presentation at PLACES 2025. Use the following buttons to quickly navigate this page.
Note: Communications regarding your session will go to your session’s primary contact. They are solely responsible for sharing information with co-presenters and panelists.
For additional questions or concerns, please contact us at .
Key Dates
Late June: Registration Opens
Presenters receive complimentary conference registration, and all presenters are expected to register themselves. We ask that each session’s primary contact ensures their team is registered by July 30. To redeem your complimentary conference registration, use promo code INSPIRE at checkout (in the “Subtotal” section). Note: This discount does not include any add-ons (mobile tours, Excellence on Main, etc).
July: Confirmation of All Session Details
Your session’s primary contact has received instructions for reviewing your session information. Each primary contact must review and fill out the associated form by July 7.
July through September: Prep Calls
All session presenters will have a prep call with a member of our conference team to go over logistics, refine learning objectives, discuss audience, and anything else you may find helpful! You’ll receive an email about this from us when the time comes.
October 1, 2025: Slides Due
Presenters are required to share their slides with us at least one week before the conference using this form. All presenters must use PowerPoint, in order to take advantage of its built-in subtitles feature as we work toward making this conference more accessible to all.
We encourage you to use our PowerPoint presentation template, which you can download here. (If you run into any issues with the fonts, you can choose whatever alternative font feels suitable!) We also recommend checking out these best practices on how to make your presentation accessible. We will share the PDF versions with attendees after the conference.
What to Expect Day-Of
The Venues
Sessions will take place in venues throughout downtown Gig Harbor as we explore and enjoy the historic downtown. Find your room assignment in the digital program here and learn more about the venues here.
The Set-Up
As we use unique venues around downtown, each room’s specifications vary. Rooms are generally set up in classroom/theater-style seating. You’re welcome to rearrange the chairs, but please do ensure they’re back in their original layout when you wrap up your presentation. In many venues, there is a podium (or similar), and we’ll have a table with chairs for panels or sessions with multiple speakers.
If you’re planning to bring supplies or print outs for your session, we’ve generally found that planning for a maximum of 75 attendees will cover most sessions. Just be sure to bring your extras and any left behind with you when you leave the venue!
The Equipment
Please note: We are still confirming venue tech capabilities. More information to come as available.
Microphones: Each room will have at least one microphone, and we endeavor to have multiple in each space, particularly when there are panels. Speakers are required to use the microphone during their presentation (yes, even if you have a loud voice!) During the Q&A portion, if we are able to provide a second microphone, we’ll ask room monitors to bring it around to those with questions. Please encourage attendees to wait for the mic to ask their questions or, if not possible, repeat the question for those who may not have heard it. A small exception: Due to venue specifications, there will not be a microphone in the Fellowship Hall at the Gig Harbor Church of the Nazarene. Please reach out if you have any concerns.
Projector and screen: Every room will have a large TV monitor or a projector and screen. A slide advancer may be available, but often will not be.
Laptop: Every room will have a laptop with WiFi access, onto which your PowerPoint presentation will be loaded and ready to go. The Room Monitor will provide support, including ensuring the subtitle feature is activated.
Videos: We hope to ensure that rooms are equipped for showing videos with audio; however, this may not be possible. If you would like to include a video, we recommend embedding it in your PowerPoint presentation and having a back-up plan in case it’s not available.
The People
Room Monitors: Each session room will be staffed by a room monitor, a Washington Trust staff member or PLACES volunteer. The room monitor will keep an eye on the time, help with crowd control, and troubleshoot A/V as needed.
Tips for Presenting at PLACES 2025
Whether you’ve been presenting at our conference since 2013 or this is your first year speaking at PLACES, please read our tips and tricks for presenting below. This will ensure we are all on the same page day-of!
Tangible Takeaways
- Keep Learning Objectives in Mind: In your session proposal, you outlined several goals for your attendees—keep these front of mind while putting together your content to ensure the best learning experience for your attendees.
- Conclude with Key Takeaways: Summarize your presentation with tangible, actionable takeaways or suggestions for attendees seeking to produce a similar project, program, or partnership.
Clear Communication
- Avoid Jargon: Our audience’s professional backgrounds and expertise range widely, so remember to use language that is accessible to all attendees.
- Use the Mic: Speakers are required to use the microphone during their presentation. During the Q&A portion, please wait for the room monitor to hand out the microphone to question askers (if available).
Time Management
- Arrive Early: Ensure you have enough travel time to get to your venue, and aim to arrive early so you have time to meet your room monitor and test the equipment in the room.
- Stick to the Schedule: Be mindful of the allotted time for your presentation and ensure you cover all key points within that timeframe.
- Leave Time for Q&A: Remember to allocate a portion of your time for questions from the audience.
Thank you for sharing your expertise and experiences with our PLACES community!
