The Empty Stage Problem: Plan for Presenter No-Shows and Substitute Speakers

Conference team preparing for a presenter no-show

Ten minutes before a scheduled session, the chair looks at an empty lectern. The presenter has not arrived, the listed co-author is in the room, and attendees are settling into their seats. The chair needs an answer now: wait, approve the co-author, connect the presenter remotely, or continue without the talk.

A conference presenter no-show policy gives the team that answer before pressure takes over. It defines when a presenter becomes a no-show, who may approve a substitute or remote exception, what the chair should tell the room, and which records must change after the decision.
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