Session chairs typically have three responsibilities: (1) finding discussants for the papers in the session (or deciding that no discussants are necessary), (2) ensuring that papers are circulated to discussants and other session participants in a timely fashion, and (3) keeping the session running on time.

1. Finding discussants: 

   Sessions across different fields may have varying formats. Some sessions include assigned discussants, while others do not. If your session organizer has made specific arrangements with you regarding discussants, please refer to their outline for guidance. If no discussants have been assigned to your session, you are welcome to arrange for them on your own.

   For sessions with four papers, consider forgoing discussants altogether. Instead, you could ask each presenter to prepare brief comments or insights for one of the other papers. For example, the second presenter could offer comments on the first paper, the third on the second, and so on.

   A suggested timing outline for a 90-minute session could be as follows:

   • Each presenter should prepare for approximately 15 minutes, with no more than 10-12 slides.
   • Allocate 5 minutes for discussion following each presentation.

   If you wish to invite a discussant from outside the session presenters, a participant list is available through your submission account. Be sure to check the conference program to ensure the individual you select is not scheduled to present at the same time.

2. Ensuring papers are circulated in a timely fashion:
   
   
   All individuals with an accepted paper for the CEA meetings are required to circulate their paper to the other participants in their session, as well as their assigned discussant, at least two weeks before the start of the conference. Failure to do so may result in their paper being withdrawn from the program. Please remind presenters of their responsibility to share their papers on time. If you believe a presenter should be removed from the program for not meeting this requirement, please notify the program assistant at cea.conference@gmail.com.
    
3. Keeping the session running on time: 

   Chairs have some flexibility in allocating time, but as a general guideline, for a typical 3-paper session, each presenter should be allotted 18 minutes for their presentation, followed by 5 minutes for the formal discussant, with the remaining time reserved for audience questions and comments. In sessions without formal discussants, each presentation should be allocated 20 minutes, with the remaining time for audience interaction.

   Regardless of how time is distributed within your session, it is important to ensure that all papers and discussions are allocated time fairly and equitably, and that presentations follow the order in which they appear in the conference program. For sessions with more than three papers, the chair should clearly communicate the time allocations to all presenters and discussants in advance.

   The session chair will monitor the time and signal to presenters when they are approaching their time limits. (For in-person sessions, signal paddles will be used.) If a presenter exceeds their allotted time by more than 2 minutes, the chair has the authority to interrupt and move on to the discussant or the next presentation.

To ensure smooth presentations, presenters are required to:

• Send their presentation file to you, as the session chair, at least one week before the conference. This will allow you the option of pre-loading all session files onto your memory key.
• Arrive in the conference room at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
• Bring their presentation on a memory key (for in-person sessions), in addition to emailing it to the session chair.

Several tech-savvy student volunteers will be available throughout the conference to provide first-line support. As chair, please plan to arrive early to ensure everything is set up and ready, so the session can begin on time and run smoothly.

Rooms will have facilities for computer-assisted presentations, using PowerPoint or PDF. Presenters are encouraged to use this technology to make their presentations.