Speaker Resources

Speaker Updates

Due August 20, 2023 -  Your presentation in MP4 format.  We can not and  will not accept presentations submitted after September 1, 2023, please.  We still have to review, edit, upload, and configure it for the conference. 
Please Read This Web Page - All Instructions For Academy Speakers Are Here
Use the link that we sent to you to go back and check the following on your application: 
  1. Your name and call sign are correct - spelling and call sign all capital letters. 
  2. Your address and mobile phone number are correct.
  3. Your title and presentation summary are correct and in good English.  We build the speaker web page from these fields. 
  4. Your head and shoulders picture is right and no larger than 300K.  Make it a head shot only.  Please do not wear helmets and sunglasses. 
  5. You can submit your collateral material in only one PDF document.  Submit when you upload your presentation. 
  6. Your presentation needs to be uploaded to us by August 20, 2023, please. 
Contacts: 
Eric Guth, 4Z1UG - eric (at) qsotoday.com, or
Rachel Pearson, Speaker Coordinator, rachel (at) qsotoday.com

​How do I upload my video presentation? 
Use this link to upload your presentation to our Dropbox.  Only the MP4 presentation.  
Use this Link:  https://www.dropbox.com/request/uWaWLQjpg6h9jcZBOJUL
​Resources:  

Show Hours September 9-10, 2023 

The Expo will be working against Pacific Time  (PDT), beginning with the opening at 6:00 PM PDT September 8, 2023 and running 48 hours. 

QSO Today Academy Lounges Open
Los Angeles (USA - California)  Friday, September 8, 2023 at 18:00:00   PDT UTC-7 hours
or
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 01:00:00 GMT UTC        

Presentations Begin
Los Angeles (USA - California) Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 08:00:00 PST UTC-7 hours
UTC (Time Zone)    Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 15:00:00 UTC      
2nd Day Presentations Begin
Los Angeles (USA - California) Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 08:00:00 PDT UTC-7 hours
UTC (Time Zone)                Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 15:00:00 UTC - 7 hours.    

Speaker Submission Procedure: 
We are using a custom system on AirTable for March 2023.  The first speaker and application are submitted using this form: https://airtable.com/shrdt7S385guCNxXo

Please submit: 
  1. Full Name and Address
  2. Mobile phone number
  3. Email Address
  4. Callsign - call caps please, or NOCALL if no license.
  5. Website, Blog, Podcast, etc. URL
  6. Presentation Title
  7. Presentation Synopsis
  8. 1 Paragraph Biography
  9. Picture - face, in the center picture, no larger than 300Kb
  10. PDF Version of Power Point Slides
  11. Any white papers or other collateral to supplement your presentation. 

The presentation title and Presentation Summary will be on the Academy website.  Make sure that your Title and Summary are easy to understand and explains the goals of your presentation.  We will have every technical level of ham in the audience, but we want to take a "How To...." approach. 

Your presentation will be "Semi-Live" where the presentation is pre-recorded, in MP4 format,  followed by live Q&A, moderated by one or two people.  

We are using Sequel.io for our presentations that include "green room", Go-Live, Video recording of the whole session, and live Q&A on the same platform. 

Presentation Tips and Guidelines:
  1. Make sure that your Title and Summary Paragraph are clear about your presentation and its goals. 
  2. Talk like TED.  Focus on one idea that you want to be remembered and support it with your talk. 
  3. Tell a personal story at the beginning to connect with your audience. 
  4. Use our presentation templates, branded for the September 2023 Academy. 
  5. Your presentation should be unique and new to the Academy.    It can be an update of older presentations because you have something new to contribute to it.  Please do not re-task another presentation that is already out on You-Tube.
  6. You are the focus of your presentation.  You are the story teller, not your slides. Slides should be used to compliment your presentation. 
  7. Put your camera at the same height as your face.  If you are using a laptop computer, then elevate it so that your camera is at your face.  I use a small step stool. 
  8. Do not record with a window or bright light above or behind you.  It will wash out your face.  Face the window.  Use soft lighting in front and above  you to illuminate your face. 
  9. Consider your background behind you when recording so it is not a distraction.  Close your closet door, clean up your room, for example.
  10. You can re-size your video picture when you make your presentation.  You face should have prominence, not your slides, until you are referring to the the slides.  The video link below will show you how to easily re-size your video using Zoom to record your presentation. 
  11. Try to look at the camera when speaking to your audience.   
  12. Keep the presentation to no more than 25 minutes because we want to leave plenty of time for questions and answers. 
  13. By agreeing to submit and make a presentation in the QSO Today Academy, KEG Media, Inc. has the right to publish the video and audio content on any platform, public or private.  Since these rights are non-exclusive, you have the right to publish your presentation anywhere, after the QSO Today Academy event, unless another arrangement is made with KEG Media, Inc., in writing. 

How to record your presentation:

The easiest and free tool to record your screen is Zoom.  Create a free account if you don't have one at Zoom.us

Here is an excellent YouTube video on how to use Zoom to record your presentation:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmMSXOQVQs4

If you want a free screen recording software with more features, then try using  OBS Studio from https://obsproject.com/

Here is an excellent tutorial on how to use OBS Studio.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL8BwstqiqE

If you want a relatively simple video editor then check out Short Cut:  https://www.shotcut.org/

​Here is another excellent video on how to use Short Cut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCMcyYAtRzw

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I upload my video presentation and Slides in PDF Format? 
Use this link to upload your presentation to our Dropbox.  Only the MP4 presentation and Slides.  
Use this Link:  ​https://www.dropbox.com/request/uWaWLQjpg6h9jcZBOJUL
Are we on vFairs again this time and what presentation platform will be used?  
A: Because of our emphasis on presentations, we will not be on the vFairs platform any longer.  We will be using sequel.io  the same platform that we used at the March 2023 Expo.  We are working with Sequel.io directly allowing us to have these services for the QSO Today Academy, even between Expos.  
What is a Semi-Live Presentation? 
A: A semi-live presentation is a pre-recorded presentation that we will playback on the presentation platform in the scheduled time slot.  This pre-recorded session will be followed by live Q&A by the presenter and a moderator to field questions.  We are doing semi-live to insure that your presentation is not pre-empted by Internet failure, poor connection, or Acts of G-d.  Man plans, G-d laughs. 
When will my presentation be scheduled? 
A: We will start to assign dates and times for your presentation for the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) as we get closer to the event.  Unless it is absolutely necessary, please do not ask us to reschedule your presentation.  We are very deliberately making assignments to build tracks that are complimentary to your presentation.
Why is the Expo working against Pacific Time? 
A: While we continue to invite the rest of the World to come to the Expo, we only received applications, with notable exceptions, from the Western Hemisphere.  
Why "Talk Like Ted"
A: TED has spent thousands of hours telling on-line stories and presentations.  We know from the research that unlike live audience presentations where getting up and leaving in the middle is rude, our audience can leave with the click of a mouse.  We want to hook them at the beginning, let them know we will solve their problem, and scratch their itch.  Because of this virtual medium, you are the focus.  Your slides should illustrate your points, but should not contain lots of text.  Use your article or whitepaper for going in deep. 

Develop only 1 key idea that will ignite interest.  Our audience can always follow up with you after the Expo. 
If my presentation is pre-recorded, how do I do Questions and Answers? 
A: Our sequel.io platform is an integrated presentation solution that allows us to play your presentation, while you wait backstage until your presentation ends.  When you appear on-stage, the audience can ask you questions, or you can bring them on stage to engage with you until the end of the hour.  Your presentation and live Q&A are recorded when the presentation "goes live".  
qso_today_academy_sept_2023_potx_template.potx
File Size: 548 kb
File Type: potx
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qso_today_academy_sept_2023_otp_template.otp
File Size: 502 kb
File Type: otp
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