How to cite a conference presentation in APA 7

References and in-text citations for conferences

This guide shows how to create the APA reference and in-text citations for conference sessions, paper presentations, posters, and symposium contributions that were not later published as an article, chapter, or book.

When the contribution appears in published proceedings, a journal, or a book, use the format for that publication.

Basic structure

Author, A. A. (Year, conference dates). Title of contribution [Type of contribution]. Conference Name, Location. URL

Use the complete date range of the conference. The bracketed description should match the contribution, such as [Paper presentation], [Poster presentation], or [Conference session].

Paper presentation example

The details and address are illustrative.

Reference

Cardenas, S. P., & Leon, D. M. (2024, September 12–14). Supporting first-year university students [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Higher Education, Bogota, Colombia. https://example.com/conference/paper

Parenthetical citationThe source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024).

(Cardenas & Leon, 2024)

Narrative citationThe author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024).

Cardenas and Leon (2024)

Details to include

List every credited author even when not everyone presented the work in person. Include the full conference name and location so readers can identify the event.

Add a URL when it leads to a public session page, abstract, or other retrievable record. Do not invent a URL if the conference does not provide one.

More contribution examples

All details and addresses are illustrative.

Conference session

Reference

Alvarez, D. P., Rios, M. L., & Soto, C. A. (2024, September 12–14). Formative assessment in first-year courses [Conference session]. International Conference on Higher Education, Bogota, Colombia. https://example.com/conference/session-12

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Alvarez et al., 2024)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Alvarez et al. (2024)

Poster presentation

Reference

Marin, J. C. (2024, September 12–14). Reading habits before and after entering university [Poster presentation]. International Conference on Higher Education, Bogota, Colombia.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Marin, 2024)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Marin (2024)

Symposium contribution

Reference

Diaz, P. R. (2024, September 12–14). Peer tutoring and student persistence. In L. M. Restrepo (Chair), New approaches to supporting the first year [Symposium]. International Conference on Higher Education, Bogota, Colombia.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Diaz, 2024)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Diaz (2024)

How to check the reference

• You confirmed that the contribution was not published in another form.
• You included the event's complete date range.
• You described the presentation type in brackets.
• You added the conference name and location.
• The citation uses the authors and year rather than the event name.

See the other APA reference types.