For Presenters and Moderators – Scientific Sessions

November 6–9, 2026
McCormick Place Convention Center | Chicago, Illinois

This is where you will find instructions and documents to help you present your best science!

Check back regularly as information and documents will be uploaded throughout the summer.

Invited Program Participants

Read the guidelines on the Participant Guidelines and Information tab, or download the following:

Invited Program Participant Guidelines

High Level Overview
This is a high-level overview for invited participants to prepare for their role on the program. This content will be updated throughout the year on the Presenters and Moderator webpage as the program continues to develop; this will be the best resource for program participants.

Conflict of Interest/Disclosures:
All participants must complete their COI/disclosures in the online system. We must have a disclosure on file for you by Sept. 30, 2026. Updates to your disclosure can be made in the Portal under your name(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window) in the top right corner. If the disclosure information is not entered, you will not be allowed to participate.

Release for Recording
Release for Recording Agreement Overview & Explanation: To present at Scientific Sessions 2026, you must give the American Heart Association permission to record and use your name, likeness, image, voice, appearance and performance, as well as the images or files that may include posters and presentation slides that are a part of your presentation. This will allow us to include your presentation on the virtual platform and on all other channels in which the event is presented.

You will be asked to identify your response within the invitation acceptance process. This must be completed prior to your participation at Scientific Sessions 2026. If you have concerns about the presentation and capture of unpublished data, please reach out to AHA staff at [email protected] in order to discuss options for your presentation.

Release for Recording Agreement
The American Heart Association, Inc. (“AHA”), a New York not-for-profit corporation, located at 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231, and Author enter into this Agreement and hereby agree as follows:

By selecting an option below and agreeing to the terms of this Agreement, I accept that I am the Author of the content described in this Agreement and will not agree to the terms of this Agreement if I am not.

Author understands that the AHA plans to record and videotape and/or duplicate selected presentations or video interviews from Scientific Sessions 2026, at which the Author will be a speaker, abstract presenter, or volunteer participant. Author agrees that AHA may record Author in both audiotape and videotape during this event, and may use Author’s name, likeness, image, voice, appearance and performance, as well as the images or files that may include posters and presentation slides that are a part of Author’s presentation (hereafter “Recorded Presentation”), in such recording and in any media.

Author hereby assigns all rights, title and interest and copyright ownership in and to the Recorded Presentation, to the AHA to use, reproduce, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, sell, distribute, and display for any purpose and Author waives any right to inspect or approve the Recorded Presentation in which Author’s likeness may be used or reproduced or to claim any rights to any income realized by AHA or others.

Further, Author hereby grants a non-exclusive, non-transferable, license in and to Author’s presentation slides and posters to the AHA to use, reproduce, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, sell, distribute, and display for any purpose and Author waives any right to inspect or approve the Recorded Presentation in which Author’s likeness may be used or reproduced or to claim any rights to any income realized by AHA or others.

This Agreement must be executed as is without revision or substitution of its terms. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the United States of America.

Within the invitation, please select the appropriate option from the drop-down below:

  • Option 1: Yes, I grant these permissions to the AHA.
  • Option 2: I grant permission to the AHA to utilize my presentation and likeness for the in-person and livestream component of the event; however, I do not grant AHA permission to utilize my presentation in any enduring materials, including Scientific Sessions OnDemand. I grant permission to utilize my presentation and likeness for the in-person event and livestream component as described more fully in the Agreement.
  • Option 3: No, I do not grant these permissions and do not want AHA to utilize my presentation, slides, or photos of myself or my presentation in any digital component, including Scientific Sessions On Demand or livestream. I grant permission to utilize my presentation and likeness for the in-person event only as described more fully in the Agreement.

Role Explanations

  • Moderator: Moderators will lead the session, welcome participants, and keep the session on track and on time. They will lead discussions and Q&A among panelists and audience members.
  • Invited Speaker: Invited speakers are given a title and presentation time. They must review all speaker notes and the session summary to plan their talk. As participants are confirmed, please connect with moderators and other speakers to plan and reduce overlap between invited talks.
  • Panel Participant: Panelists will be present for the entirety of the session and will not have a slide deck. The role of panel participants is to provide context and discussion around the topics discussed during the session.

PowerPoint Slides
All Invited Presenters must upload slide decks to the Orchestrate system 24 hours before the start of the session. (Note: Panel Participants will not utilize a PowerPoint presentation)

All oral presentations must be in electronic slide form. We encourage the use of the Scientific Sessions 2026 slide template to develop presentations. The template will be available soon on the Presenters and Moderator webpage.

IMPORTANT: All presenters must include a slide listing any conflict-of-interest disclosures. This should be the first or second slide of your PowerPoint.

In October, you will receive an email directing you to go to the Orchestrate presentation management website to upload your presentation in advance. You will also be able to upload your presentation onsite in the Speaker Resource room 24 hours in advance of your presentation.

Session Format
If you have any questions or need clarification regarding the session format or flow, we recommend contacting the moderators of your session. Please access the Portal and click on your roles for information on your session, confirmed participants, and details regarding your roles.

Conference Registration & Housing
All participants must register for the conference and obtain housing online. Conference registration and housing will open in June 2026. Invited faculty will be sent registration information directly.