Speaker Resources

Speaker Updates

Due March 1, 2023 -  Your presentation in MP4 format.  We can not and  will not accept presentations submitted after March 1, 2023, please.  We still have to review, edit, upload, and configure it for the conference. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Please Read This Web Page - All Instructions For Expo 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 March 1, 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/m7cXXjTtUuFNp586VFwc
​Resources:  

Show Hours in March 

The Expo will be working against Pacific Time  (PDT), beginning with the opening at 6:00 PM PDT March 24, 2023 and running 48 hours. 

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Opens -  Exhibitor Parties
Los Angeles (USA - California)  Friday, March 24th at 18:00:00   PDT UTC-7 hours
or
Saturday, March 25th at 01:00:00 GMT UTC        

Exhibition Opens and Presentations Begin
Los Angeles (USA - California) Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 08:00:00 PST UTC-7 hours
UTC (Time Zone)    Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at 15:00:00 UTC      
2nd Day Exhibition Opens and Presentations Begin
Los Angeles (USA - California) Sunday, March 26th, 2023 at 08:00:00 PDT UTC-7 hours
UTC (Time Zone)                Sunday, March 26, 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 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, 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.  

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. Use our presentation templates, branded for the September 2022 Expo. 
  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 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. 

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
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/m7cXXjTtUuFNp586VFwc
The Webinar system was mostly successful in the March 2022 Expo.    What will be different in the March 2023 Expo?
A: Restream.io is now embedded into the vFairs platform.  We will be getting speakers and moderators into our system early to train them on how to use it.  It will allow us to play the presentation video in the same place as our audience, so they will not have to move for Q&A.  It will also allow us to promote audience members to the stage and take questions. 
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: 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. 

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: We are using Restream.io to play your presentation then put you on "stage", once your presentation video ends.  You will be working with a moderator, who will make sure that you can answer audience questions.  
qsohamexpomarch2023presentationtemplate.potx
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qsohamexpomarch2023presentationtemplate.otp
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