GTAP Events: 25th Annual Conference on Global Economic Analysis

Questions on the conference should be directed to Ginger Batta (gbatta@purdue.edu).

Do I have to register to attend the conference?
Yes, please see the "Registration" section for details.

When will I be able to access the program/agenda?
After the program is complete in mid-May, organizers will provide access instructions to paid registrants.

What platform will be used for the virtual conference?
Whova / Zoom

Whova will serve as the platform for the conference allowing attendees access to the agenda, sessions, and networking/communication features.

Zoom will serve as the streaming platform with meeting links integrated within each session on the Whova agenda.

What are the system requirements for using Whova and Zoom?
Whova – It is strongly recommended that attendees use Chrome to access Whova. Zoom – Please review Zoom System Requirements

How can I test Zoom with my device before the conference?
Zoom offers a test meeting that can be connected to at any time to test for system updates, audio/video connection, content sharing, etc.

What if I need further assistance with Whova after organizers have provided access?
Please review the Whova Attendee User Guide.

I am a session participant (host/organizer/chair/presenter/discussant), can I request a specific time for my session to be scheduled?
No, session participants must make themselves available to be scheduled in any timeslot during the conference. Scheduling requests and changes to the final schedule will not be accepted.

Who will be allowed to broadcast audio and video during the conference?
Only those with an active, defined role in the current session (host, chair, presenters, discussant) will be allowed to broadcast audio. All other attendees must keep their microphones muted to avoid disturbing the session. All participants will be allowed to broadcast their video, though it is not required. If your internet connection is a potential barrier, we recommend not broadcasting video.

How do listeners ask questions or comment on a presentation?
It is preferable for questions/comments to be entered into the chat; however, participants can raise their virtual hand as well. Session chairs will monitor the chat and participant list (for raised hands) during the discussion period, read chat entries aloud for the presenter to respond to verbally, and/or call upon the person with the raised virtual hand to orally pose their question/comment to the presenter.

Do I have to use my name when joining a session?
Yes, please use your full name (no screen names/aliases) when joining sessions.

Will sessions be recorded?
Yes, all sessions will be recorded and posted on the GTAP website and social media after the conference.

Can I be excluded from recordings?
No, all sessions in their entirety will be recorded. By registering, you are agreeing to be part of the recording and allowing the Center for Global Trade Analysis to use the recordings as they deem appropriate.

Will participants receive a certificate of participation following the conference?
Following the conference, participants will be able to download a letter confirming their participation.

The session host will launch each session 10 minutes prior to its scheduled start time giving chairs and presenters a final chance to connect before the session officially begins to ensure their audio/video is working properly.

Each session will begin with the chair delivering a 5 minute (max) introduction that will include introducing themselves, the host, the session topic, and each presenter, as well as reminding everyone of the following protocol.

• All attendees except the person currently speaking must remain muted.
• Unless otherwise noted, presentations will last 20 minutes. The session host will verbally prompt the presenter when there are 2 minutes remaining in their allotted time. When the allotted presentation time has elapsed, if the presentation has not already ended, the host will prompt again and the chair will immediately move onto the discussion period.
• Discussion periods will last 10 minutes and immediately follow each presentation. It is preferable for questions/comments to be entered into the chat; however, participants can raise their virtual hand as well. Session chairs will monitor the chat and participant list (for raised hands) during the discussion period, read chat entries aloud for the presenter to respond to verbally, and/or call upon the person with the raised virtual hand to orally pose their question/comment to the presenter. This will continue until the host prompts there are 2 minutes remaining in the discussion time. At that point, the chair should begin wrapping up the discussion.
• Following all but the final presentation, there will be a 2 minute transition period to allow the next presenter time to load/share their presentation. During this transition time, the chair will re-introduce the next presenter.
• At the end of each session, the chair will give a 4 minute (max) wrap-up, recapping the session and thanking everyone for attending.

In the interest of time, if a presenter is a no-show or if they experience technical difficulties during their allotted time, the host and chair will move onto the next presenter. If sufficient time remains at the end of the session to accommodate the missed presentation, the host and chair can decide to include it.

Session Host
Designated Center for Global Trade Analysis staff member or grad student in charge of:

• Creating the meeting for each assigned session
• Starting/launching the meeting room 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the session
• Recording the session
• Keeping presentations and discussions on time by providing verbal time-remaining queues
• Ensuring that all session attendees, except the current speaker, are muted
• Ending the meeting

Schedule
Session participants (hosts, organizers, chairs, presenters, discussants) must make themselves available to be scheduled in any timeslot during the conference. Scheduling requests and changes to the final schedule will not be accepted.

Pre-conference Zoom testing
Everyone should test their device's connection to Zoom in advance of the conference. Zoom's test meeting can be connected to at any time to test system for updates, audio/video connection, and content sharing (presenters only).

Session participants should connect to their session 10 minutes prior to the start
Session hosts will launch each session 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. At that time, session participants (chair, presenters, discussant) should connect to perform one final test of their audio/video before the session begins.

What if a presenter doesn't show or has technical difficulties during their presentation?
In the interest of time, if a presenter is a no-show or if they experience technical difficulties during their allotted time, the host and chair will move onto the next presenter. If sufficient time remains at the end of the session to accommodate the missed presentation, the host and chair can decide to include it.

Session Recordings
All sessions will be recorded. Session participants cannot opt out of this.

Session Chair
Designated person in charge of:

• Delivering a 5 minute (max) overview of the session introducing the session host, themselves as the chair, the overall topic, and each presenter, as well as reminding attendees about session protocol and etiquette
  • Sample session chair script available
• Managing each discussion period
• Delivering a 4 minute (max) session closing, recapping and thanking everyone for attending

Schedule
Session participants (hosts, organizers, chairs, presenters, discussants) must make themselves available to be scheduled in any timeslot during the conference. Scheduling requests and changes to the final schedule will not be accepted.

Pre-conference Zoom testing
Everyone should test their device's connection to Zoom in advance of the conference. Zoom's test meeting can be connected to at any time to test system for updates, audio/video connection, and content sharing (presenters only).

Session participants should connect to their session 10 minutes prior to the start
Session hosts will launch each session 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. At that time, session participants (chair, presenters, discussant) should connect to perform one final test of their audio/video before the session begins.

What if a presenter doesn't show or has technical difficulties during their presentation?
In the interest of time, if a presenter is a no-show or if they experience technical difficulties during their allotted time, the host and chair will move onto the next presenter. If sufficient time remains at the end of the session to accommodate the missed presentation, the host and chair can decide to include it.

Session Recordings
All sessions will be recorded. Session participants cannot opt out of this.

Presenter
Designated person scheduled to present during each session.

Schedule
Session participants (hosts, organizers, chairs, presenters, discussants) must make themselves available to be scheduled in any timeslot during the conference. Scheduling requests and changes to the final schedule will not be accepted. Breakout session presenters (unless otherwise noted in the program) are allotted 20 minutes for presentation, followed by 10 for discussion.

Pre-conference Zoom testing
Everyone should test their device's connection to Zoom in advance of the conference. Zoom's test meeting can be connected to at any time to test system for updates, audio/video connection, and content sharing (presenters only).

Session participants should connect to their session 10 minutes prior to the start
Session hosts will launch each session 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. At that time, session participants (chair, presenters, discussant) should connect to perform one final test of their audio/video before the session begins.

Session Recordings
All sessions will be recorded. Session participants cannot opt out of this.

Presenter Tips

• Before joining the meeting, open your presentation file and close all other applications.
• To share content, click the "Share Screen" button in the control panel, select your presentation file, and click the "Share" button. To end a share, click "Stop Share".
• If you use dual monitors and your PowerPoint slideshow launches into presenter view, click "Display Settings" and choose "Swap Presenter View and Slide Show".
  
• Practice your presentation to ensure it does not exceed 20 minutes.
• If you made changes to your paper or presentation after the submission deadlines, make sure the latest versions are uploaded to the GTAP website before the conference. See the "Accepted Paper and Presentation Submission" section for instructions.
• When it is your turn to present, briefly re-introduce yourself before starting your presentation.

Discussant
Designated person scheduled as the final speaker in certain organized sessions who provides general commentary exploring how the presentations help advance the topic.

Schedule
Session participants (hosts, organizers, chairs, presenters, discussants) must make themselves available to be scheduled in any timeslot during the conference. Scheduling requests and changes to the final schedule will not be accepted.

Pre-conference Zoom testing
Everyone should test their device's connection to Zoom in advance of the conference. Zoom's test meeting can be connected to at any time to test system for updates, audio/video connection, and content sharing (presenters only).

Session participants should connect to their session 10 minutes prior to the start
Session hosts will launch each session 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. At that time, session participants (chair, presenters, discussant) should connect to perform one final test of their audio/video before the session begins.

Session Recordings
All sessions will be recorded. Session participants cannot opt out of this.

Listener
Anyone attending a session that does not have an active, defined role in that session as the host, organizer, chair, presenter, discussant.

Pre-conference Zoom testing
Everyone should test their device's connection to Zoom in advance of the conference. Zoom's test meeting can be connected to at any time to test system for updates, audio/video connection, and content sharing (presenters only).

Broadcasting audio
Listeners must keep their microphones muted at all times to avoid disturbing the session.

How can listeners ask questions or give comments during sessions?
It is preferable for questions/comments to be entered into the chat; however, participants can raise their virtual hand as well. Session chairs will monitor the chat and participant list (for raised hands) during the discussion period, read chat entries aloud for the presenter to respond to verbally, and/or call upon the person with the raised virtual hand to orally pose their question/comment to the presenter.