How Can We Help?
General Registration
Visa & Entry Requirements
- Can I get a visa on arrival?
- Can the Summit guarantee my visa approval?
- Do all attendees need a visa to travel to Panama?
- Do I need a transit visa?
- Do I need to register before applying for a visa?
- Do I need to visit a consulate or embassy?
- How do I get the Summit invitation letter?
- How long does the visa allow me to stay?
- Is there a special visa process for SBCC Summit participants?
- Is travel insurance required?
- What documents do I need for the visa application?
- What if my visa is denied?
- What should I bring when I travel to Panama?
- When should I start the visa process?
Hotels & Accommodation
Themes, spotlights and formats
- Do abstracts need to match a sub-theme spotlight?
- Do the two new formats require video?
- In the case of products that cross several thematic areas, is it better to choose a single subtopic?
- What are the session formats?
- What is the exact word/character limits per format?
- Which languages are accepted?
Eligibility & participation
- Are there age limits to attend?
- Can a private company submit?
- Can I come without an abstract?
- Can I submit as a team?
- Is 18–35 an eligibility requirement for the youth focused theme?
- Is it possible to submit abstracts for projects that were terminated by USAID?
- What hotels near the Panama Convention Center are recommended?
- Where will the SBCC Summit 2026 be held?
- Will there be an option to present abstracts virtually?
Submissions & review
- Are abstracts Scopus-indexed?
- Can I review abstracts if I also submit one?
- Does “session organizer” mean a person or an organization?
- How many proposals can I submit?
- What goes in “Session Organizer” on the form?
- What is the submission deadline and when will we be notified?
- Will abstracts be published anywhere?
- Will reviewers move my abstract to a different format if it fits better?
- Will you check whether an abstract was written using AI?
- Will you review abstracts using AI?
Content expectations
Format-specific guidance
- Are abstracts submitted as videos or documents?
- Are English subtitles on the original language (other than English) audio acceptable, or is it mandatory to include English dubbing? Is this true for audio in Portuguese and French?
- Are there any time limits for media clips?
- For the Multimedia Showcase, can the maximum seven-minute clip be a reel edited specifically for the Summit, or must it be a literal excerpt from the finished product?
- For the Multimedia Showcase, how important is the technical quality of the audiovisual product compared to its thematic relevance and contribution to the field of SBCC?
- How will posters be presented?
- If a person is the main author of a Multimedia Showcase proposal, can they also participate as a co-author in a panel or other format?
- If selected, will the video be available on any Summit platform and what usage rights will the authors retain?
- What are skills-building workshops?
- What is a multimedia showcase?
- What will be considered under the “Failing Better: From Oops to Aha” format?
- What will be considered under the “Stories that Flip the Script” format?
Funding, fees, and visas
Travel & Transportation
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What should I bring when I travel to Panama?
Updated
Carry these in your hand luggage:
- e-visa QR code
- Summit invitation letter
- Panama Tourism Authority letter
- Flight reservations (arrival and return)
- Hotel confirmation
Immigration may also request proof of financial means (such as cash or a credit card).
