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ideaFest FAQ's

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in presenting at IdeaFest! Explore answers to frequently asked questions, discover tips to help you prepare before registering and presenting, and take advantage of the many presentation resources available. We’re excited to see your creativity and innovation come to life at ideaFest!

ideaFest Frequently Asked Questions

ideaFest Event

Why should I participate in ideaFest?

  • Showcase your work: With over 200 poster presentations, ideaFest offers a platform for you to share your research, creative projects, performances, and digital works.
  • Be inspired: In addition to poster presentations, ideaFest highlights the creative talents of visual and performing artists, musicians, filmmakers, and more.
  • Engage with the community: Live performances and presentations, including sculpture walks, dance and musical performances, film screenings, and lightning talks, will take place during the event and are open to all.

What is the ideaFest poster session? The ideaFest poster session is where Cal Poly Humboldt students share their expertise with attendees through a physical poster display. The poster presenter gives a series of mini-presentations to attendees (usually 3 - 5 mins) as they stop by the poster. The presenter has the opportunity to explain and discuss their topic, using visuals from their poster as a reference. Poster sessions are more informal and interactive than other traditional sessions, allowing for more personal connections to be made. ideaFest poster sessions are held in the Cal Poly Humboldt Library on the second and third floors during ideaFest. 

Registration

When does registration open? Registration opens Monday, March 9, 2026. Be ready to upload your poster at the time you register, poster submission is required during registration.  

When is the last day to register? The deadline to register is Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:59pm. Register by this date to be included in the printed program and receive free poster printing through MarCom. 

Can I still register after April 17, 2026? The online registration form will close after April 17 and you will not be included in the printed program. However, you may still be able to receive free printing through MarCom (availability is not guaranteed) and you can still present at ideaFest! If you plan to present, please notify us so we can arrange a whiteboard for your presentation space. For details, contact the ideaFest coordinator at ideafest@humboldt.edu.

Can I still present if I missed the registration deadline? Yes, you can still present at ideaFest! You'll just need to print your own poster and let us know you're presenting so we can arrange a whiteboard for your poster display. Reach out to ideafest@humboldt.edu for next steps, we would love to have us join us! 

I am submitting a video project and the file is too big to upload on the registration form. What should I do? Submit your registration anyway because we want your abstract to appear in the printed program. You can submit a Word document that says "No printing necessary, video presentation" to the upload section.

I found a typo in my poster after I've already submitted it. What should I do? Let us know by emailing your new poster file to ideafest@humboldt.edu.

Poster Design & Printing

What size should my poster be? We accept two poster sizes in landscape orientation: 

  • 3 feet x 2 feet (36 inches x 24 inches) (W x H)
  • 4 feet x 3 feet (48 inches x 36 inches) (W x H)

​What poster file format is accepted during the online registration process? Please upload your completed poster file as a PDF. 

I am trying to get my poster printed out. Where do I do this? Once you have submitted your registration your poster will be printed for free and will be waiting for you in the Library on Friday, May 1, 2026.

I am printing on my own. Is there a way I can register without a poster file? Yes, if you are printing on your own submit your registration by the deadline and upload a Word document that says "Printing on my own" then deliver your poster to the Library circulation desk on Thursday, April 30, 2026 so it can be hung with the rest of the posters on Friday, May 1, 2026.

I need my poster printed early to use at another conference. What should I do? If you are registering but need your poster printed sooner than April 30, 2026 for another conference, email us directly at ideafest@humboldt.edu and we may be able to accommodate an early request.

What to Know Before You Begin

Abstract Submission: Prepare a concise and compelling abstract to submit with your registration (700 characters or less).

Poster Guidelines: Review the guidelines for poster size and format.

Registration Deadlines: Make sure to note that registration opens March 9, 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on Friday, April 17, 2026. 

Materials needed: Design your poster presentation or create your video presentation. For help creating your academic poster or video presentation, view the ideaFest Presentation Resources section below. 

Presentation Practice: Practice presenting your poster to communicate your research effectively and answer questions confidently. 

Prepare Questions: Anticipate questions attendees might ask and prepare your responses.

Network Strategy: Plan how you will network with other attendees and make the most out of the ideaFest event opportunities.

Group Coordination: If you're part of a group, coordinate with your team members to ensure a cohesive presentation.

Publishing Consent: Concluding the event, all submitted posters are published online to the Cal Poly Humboldt Digital Commons. Ensure you have talked to your group about publishing consent and have obtained their approval for online publication. It's important that all participants are aware and agree to the sharing of their work.

ideaFest Presentation Resources

Participants who need assistance creating a poster or a video presentation for ideaFest or another conference, check out the following resources:

Creating a Video Presentation (CTL) - This free resource was created by the Center for Teaching and Learning and covers the different software platforms you can use to help create your video presentation.

Creating Presentations (Library) - There are many ways to create presentations and share them online. This guide is intended to give you a few tips and recommendations on how you can create your next project.

Creating Your Academic Poster SkillShop - This free Canvas Skillshop (length: ~1.5 hours) covers topics including effective layouts and designing for multiple audiences. 

Creating Research Posters - This research guide will take you step-by-step to create a great poster.  It includes design examples, how to use images, and what is needed for a quality printed poster.

Participants in ideaFest are able to print their posters FREE of charge. For more information email ideafest@humboldt.edu or call (707) 826-3441. Before you finalize and print, please be sure to reference Humboldt's 'Brand Guidelines.'

Brand Guidelines - The guidelines for the University’s visual identity marks allow flexibility while still providing a unifying look and feel that can be consistently applied in all University communications and marketing.

Citing an ideaFest/academic Conference Poster - Use this resource to cite an academic conference poster in APA, Chicago, or MLA style. It includes an example of a citations in each of the styles. Note that for some styles, the number of authors you list will affect how your style appears. For additional information on citing sources, visit the Humboldt Library research guide on citing sources.