Additional Tips & Information

( T ) — Threshold: Requires little or no previous knowledge of the topic area and should emphasize the definition of terms and description of key concepts. The focus should be on "What is it?" "How does it work?" and "Why do we use it?"

( I ) — Intermediate: Requires a basic knowledge and some experience in the topic area. The focus should be on "How does it work?" and "Benefits of using it" and should include detailed examples. Some evaluation of alternative methods would be appropriate at this level. Key words in the learning objectives could include: execute, perform, apply, and accomplish.

( A ) — Advanced: Requires a working knowledge and considerable experience in the topic area. The session may require basic or working knowledge in one or more areas related to the specific session topic. The focus should be on "Can I use this in my store/company?" "How do I implement it?" "How do I evaluate it?" Key words in the learning objectives could include: integrate, conceptualize, analyze, evaluate, and implement.

Facilitated
An interactive setting, involving as many members of the group as possible, leading to information sharing. Advantages: Adults learn more quickly and retain information better if the learning is facilitated rather than presented. Limitations: Better style for groups of 50 or less.

Lecture
A prepared presentation by qualified speaker(s) used to impart new knowledge/information in an organized fashion. Advantages: Easy to organize, suitable for any size audience. Limitations: The role of the audience is passive unless a question and answer period is included.

Panel discussion
A group of several people having a focused conversation on a specific topic. Advantages: The variety in speakers, whose viewpoints will interest the audience and stimulate discussion. Limitations: All aspects of a topic/situation/problem may not be covered or one point may be over-emphasized. A skilled moderator is needed to keep the discussion on target.

Roundtable discussion
Groups who seek, identify, and explore solutions to problems and develop plans of action. Advantages: Encourages the full participation of the group. The knowledge and experience of the group is pooled to reach a common goal. Limitations: Group discussion is time consuming, particularly if the group includes people from diverse backgrounds.

Alternative formats

1. World café: A rotating round table session with a host at each table—allowing the discussion of each topic to "build" upon the previous groups' discussion. World Café Reference Guide (PDF | 594 KB)
2. Speed Dating: Use this format to provide 5-10 mini presentations in a single room. Participants move from table to table every 5-10 minutes.
3. Lightening Round or Pecha Kucha: Instead of an ordinary panel presentation or idea exchange, this format allows 8-10 pre-identified presenters to share their information in 8-10 slides/minutes. (Learn more about Pecha Kucha from wikipedia.)
4. Poster Session: Convey many ideas on various topics without taking session time. A Poster Session allows you to post your slides and other material on a cork board in a designated area throughout the education days. Participants can review your materials as their schedule permits and contact you via phone or e-mail with questions, etc.

1. Create your proposal as a separate document so that you may cut-and-paste into the online submission form. This will speed your submission and reduce errors.
2. We prefer original presentations that are created to address the timely and specific issues indicated in the list of “Requested Presentation Topics” or emerging trends, etc. Your session title, description, learning outcomes, and categorizations in the proposal submission should clearly indicate how it aligns with the theme and intended focus of CAMEX 2011.
3. Determine a title for your presentation. Please limit this to 10 words and remember to make it something clever or catchy. You need to grab the reader’s attention!
4. Develop the intended learning outcomes (or learning objectives) for the presentation. That is—What will the participants learn or experience during your session and/or leave your session with (e.g., tools, samples, new business models, etc.). This is an important part of the presentation and this section must be completed.
5. Indicate the Pathway that your session should be considered a part of: Core Operations, Business Solutions, Industry Evolutions, and People Strategies. The topics the 2011 CAMEX Program Committee are requesting, by Pathway, are listed above.
6. Indicate the Competency Domain(s) (from the NACS College Store Competency Model) addressed by the presentation. Your session may address topics in more than one Competency Domain. For more information on the Competency Domains, see the NACS College Store Competency Model online.
7. Enter a complete description of the presentation. Limit to 100-words and ensure that you address the reason one should attend, primary take-aways, and any other compelling information. This is how you “sell” your session!
8. Indicate the experience level of the presentation: Threshold, Intermediate, or Advanced. The majority of sessions at CAMEX should be Intermediate or Advanced unless the topic is brand new to the industry. Presentations on topics that are not “new” to campus retailers that are at the Threshold level will be asked to elevate the content/learning or be declined. For more information on these categories, see “Level of Experience” above.
9. All sessions must engage participants in the learning process in some way for AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. Describe how you intend to engage participants in your session.
10. Apply what is learned at CAMEX once we get home is critical. Therefore, we must focus on how participants will adapt your session content and ideas to their operating environment. While adaptation is mostly the responsibility of the learner, you – as presenter – have a responsibility to guide them in how your content and concepts can be adapted to other situations. How will you support participant adaptation of your content?
11. Indicate the presentation format. Again, engagement of participants is KEY and you are encouraged to try new and different approaches to presenting your content. If you have questions or would like to discussion possibilities, contact the NACS Education staff at education@nacs.org.
12. Indicate what audio/visual equipment you will need.
13. Add speakers to the session following the prompts online. In preparation for this step, please have the speaker’s First and Last Names and E-mail Address AS THEY APPEAR IN THE NACS MEMBERSHIP RECORD. If you are not sure, consult your co-presenter(s) and obtain the proper information. If the person is not in our database or is not found, you will need to add them by providing their complete contact information as well. For each speaker, you will need to know whether they are a NACS member and whether they have spoken at previous CAMEX or other meetings. Finally, all presenters will be communicated with via e-mail. Please ensure that an e-mail address is provided for all session presenters.
14. Finishing Up: Review the details of your session, enter an e-mail address to receive a copy of the presentation details if you are NOT a presenter on the session, and check the box signifying that you accept the “Agreement to Present”, and click Finish.
15. Submit all proposals on or before Monday, June 28, 2010. Notification of presentation selection will be sent the week ending Aug. 27, 2010.