Speaker Resources

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

Resources:  
Show Hours in August 2021

The Expo will be working against Pacific Time (PST) (PDT), beginning with the opening at 6:00 PM PST August 13th and running 48 hours. 

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Opens -  Exhibitor Parties
Los Angeles (USA - California)  Friday, August 13, 2021 at 18:00:00   PST UTC-8 hours
or
Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 02:00:00 GMT UTC        
Corresponding UTC (GMT)        Saturday,

Exhibition Opens and Presentations Begin
Los Angeles (USA - California) Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 08:00:00 PST UTC-8 hours
UTC (Time Zone)                Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 16:00:00 UTC      
2nd Day Exhibition Opens and Presentations Begin
Los Angeles (USA - California) Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 08:00:00 PDT UTC-7 hours
UTC (Time Zone)                Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 14:00:00 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/2S7RSCk
  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 and above  you to illuminate your face. 
  9. Consider your background behind you when recording so it is not a distraction.  Close the closet door, 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
Due July 10, 2021 -  Head and shoulders picture uploaded to the Event Rebels form. 
Due Augst 1, 2021
Your uploaded MP4 presentation.  We will not accept presentations submitted after August 1.  

Frequently Asked Questions

The Webinar system in the last Expo caused problems for the speaker.   What will be different in the August 2021 Expo?

We will be back on vFairs platform in August, the same platform that we use for the first Expo last year.  Your pre-recorded presentation will automatically start at the pre-assigned time.  Questions and Answers will be done in a moderated Zoom Webinar Room.  You will have the links well ahead of the next Expo.  While we will have practice sessions, we urge our presenters to use Zoom for your remote meetings to be familiar before the Expo. 
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.  
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.
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? 
Use this link to upload your presentation to our Dropbox.  Only the MP4 presentation.  
Use this Link:  https://bit.ly/3yopqwB

Do not upload your picture and collateral to the Dropbox, only the video.  There are upload links in the EventRebels form. 
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: Every presentation will begin automatically at its assigned time in our auditorium.  The audience will be presented with a link for Q&A after the presentation to go to a Zoom Webinar Room for live questions and answers.  You will have a moderator assigned to take questions from text messages, from the audience, to give to you to answer.  If you have a friend or buddy to be a moderator, please include him in your application.