What is the term for a brief summary submitted ahead of a conference meeting?

The term for a brief summary submitted ahead of a conference meeting is "abstract." An abstract is a concise representation of a larger work, often summarizing the objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of research or presentations. It serves an important role in academic and professional contexts by providing potential attendees with a snapshot of the content to help them decide which sessions to attend.

In the context of conferences, abstracts are commonly reviewed by peers to assess the quality and relevance of the proposed presentations, making them a critical part of the conference submission process. This format ensures that the key points of the research are communicated effectively, enabling a broader audience to understand the significance and purpose of the work being presented. While terms like summary, synthesis, and overview might suggest similar concepts, they lack the specific contextual and formal implications that the term "abstract" carries within academic and professional conference settings.