Timeline for Theme Organization
| Time Relative to Meeting Date | Action/Event |
| 24 months before | MPPG selects theme |
| 22 months before | MPPG Steering Committee appoints overall theme organizer |
| 21 months before | MPPG Chair communicates theme & organizer to divisions |
| 21 months before | Organizer selects sub-themes, including organizers |
| 20 months before | Divisions tell organizer of their plans for theme |
| 20 months before | Organizer contacts local section for meeting site to discuss possible non-programming events at meeting (e. g., with local schools, museums, news organizations) |
| 18 months before | Organizer makes plans for plenary/showcase event in conjunction with President for year of theme (timing will depend on when President–elect is chosen) |
| 18 months before | Organizer reports back to MPPG and divisions with first draft of structure of theme program – symposia from divisions, special thematic symposia, showcase event, other activities |
| 16 months before | Organizer talks with ACS staff about special needs for theme at meeting site – venue for showcase/Presidential event, locations of theme symposia, connections with other societies, non-programming events (e. g., with local community) |
| 12 months before | Organizer reports back to MPPG and divisions with second draft of structure of theme program – symposia from divisions, special thematic symposia, showcase event, other activities; this should be close to the final version |
| 12 months before | Presidential office and organizer finalize plans for showcase event and begin process to line up speakers and make other arrangements |
| 12 months before | ACS staff and organizer begin plans for promotion of theme through both internal (ACS) and external venues |
| 8 months before | Organizer reports back to MPPG and divisions with final draft of structure of theme program – symposia from divisions, special thematic symposia, showcase event, other activities |
| 6 months before | Organizer and subtheme organizers oversee submission of symposia abstracts and other information into OASYS |
| 4 months before | Organizer and ACS staff finalize plans for locations of events and symposia at meeting site |
| At meeting | Organizer and ACS staff work on site to make sure thematic programming and other events proceed flawlessly |
| 2 months after | Organizer and ACS staff report back to MPPG on how well theme process worked and how to improve this in the future |