Speaker Resources

Speaker Updates
Contacts: 
Eric Guth, 4Z1UG - eric (at) qsotodayhamexpo.com
Rachel Pearson, Speaker Coordinator, rachel (at) qsotodayhamexpo.com

Resources:  
Show Hours in March 2021

The Expo will be working against Pacific Time (PST) (PDT), beginning with the opening at 6:00 PM PST March 12th and running 48 hours. 
Note - that Daylight Savings Time starts between the 13th and 14th. 

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Opens -  Exhibitor Parties
Los Angeles (USA - California)  Friday, March 12, 2021 at 18:00:00   PST UTC-8 hours
or
Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 02:00:00 GMT UTC        
Corresponding UTC (GMT)        Saturday,

Exhibition Opens and Presentations Begin
Los Angeles (USA - California) Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 08:00:00 PST UTC-8 hours
UTC (Time Zone)                Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 16:00:00 UTC      

Daylight Savings Begins in the USA on March 14, 2021
2nd Day Exhibition Opens and Presentations Begin
Los Angeles (USA - California) Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 08:00:00 PDT UTC-7 hours
UTC (Time Zone)                Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 15:00:00 UTC     


Speaker Submission Procedure: 
Once submitted you will receive an email with credentials to continue to update the application.  The EventRebels platform will allow us to manage your presentation all of the way to the Expo.  

Please submit: 
  1. Full Name and Address
  2. Mobile phone number
  3. Callsign
  4. Website, Blog, Podcast, etc. URL
  5. Presentation Title
  6. Presentation Synopsis
  7. 1 Paragraph Biography
  8. Picture
  9. PDF Version of Power Point Slides
  10. Any white papers or other collateral to supplement your presentation. 

The presentation title and Presentation Summary will be on the Expo 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. 

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.  

Rachel will update your speaker application on Event Rebels with a Dropbox Link to upload your finished video. 

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. Your presentation should be presented on the official presentation template for the March 2021 Expo.  Here is the link: https://bit.ly/33AgLt8
  5. Your presentation should be unique and new to the Expo.   It can be an update of older presentations because you have something new to contribute to it.  Please to do 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 light behind you.  It will wash out your face.  Use soft lighting in front of you to illuminate your face. 
  9. Consider your background behind you when recording so it is not a distraction.  
  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. 

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
Due December 31, 2020 -  Head and shoulders picture in Event Rebels form. 
Due February 1, 2021 - 
Your uploaded MP4 presentation and slides

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Expo working against Pacific Time? 
A: While we invited the rest of the World to come to the Expo, we only received applications, with notable exceptions, from the Western Hemisphere.  Our target is USA Hams in March as a result.  
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. 
How do I upload my video presentation? 
We will add an upload field to the EventRebels application page with a link to our Dropbox account.  We will send out an email when this field is in place. 
Why "Talk Like Ted"
A: We have 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.