Scientific organisations frequently prescribe a specific conference template. Do not use templates. Templates steal real estate in slides, they are visually distracting and unnecessary. If requested, use the template for the first slide and while answering questions. Conference templates are not compulsory.
Conference templates are believed to provide continuity, corporate identity, and some form of “advertising.” These are purely for the perceived external benefit of the organising entity and its place in social media, perhaps. They do not benefit the message, delivery, or audience. One might also question how effective these perceived external benefits are.
This is not to disrespect organising committees and their corporate identity but a comment on educational science. Templates are visually confusing, offering multiple images that constantly distract from the intended image of the slide. They reduce the available visual “space” in a slide. They are not processed and do not help the supportive media. Their value is purely identifying the conference and perhaps sponsors. These have no place in a scientific presentation.
It is reasonable to use the corporate identity in the first slide of a presentation, often referred to as the placeholder. This title slide may detail your name, institution and title of the presentation. It will be displayed as you are introduced and take the stage. You should change this immediately to your introductory slide which is constructed without the template. The start of any presentation must make the correct impact. Then, continue to deliver your presentation. After your concluding slide (please NOT “take away messages“!) then display the corporate branding again whilst questions are taken. When these have concluded, return to your summary, free from logos and the key message/image.
In the many, many presentations I have attended I have seen multiple presentations delivered without the corporate template being used. There were no sanctions. Never have I seen a speaker prohibited from speaking for lack of the template. Templates do not work. Their purpose is not adding value to your presentation. Respect the organising committee but don’t feel obliged to use the template.