FAQ- Speakers

What time zone will the event be in?

The live sessions will be presented in Eastern time, To adjust the display to a different time zone, click the CHANGE link on the Schedule page.

When will I receive my login for the event?

Your login ID is the email address you gave to the conference staff when we were collecting data from you such as bios, etc. The OpenWater system does not use passwords for Virtual Conference registration and instead, you will access the conference the same as a normal attendee would by simply adding your email address to our system at the login prompt.

How do I join a session as speaker/ host?

Sessions will open 15 minutes prior to their listed start time for speakers and participating staff. Access any presentation on the schedule by clicking the  ‘Join Session’ button on the session description page. 

We have stored your email within our system as a speaker or special participating staff (moderators, etc) and you will be allowed access to the session before attendees and given host and co-host permissions within zoom.

Will I have time to prepare before the session starts?

Yes, you will have access to the session 15 minutes before attendees do. This will give you time to test your mic, internet connection, ask questions, and any other tasks you need to in order to give the best presentation performance possible. 

Will sessions be available on-demand?

Yes, all sessions are recorded and will be available for attendees and staff to re-watch later unless you and the conference department asked for your session to NOT be available on-demand. 

We ask that all special requests such as this are discussed as soon as possible. 

Can I record sessions for my own use?

Participant recording of sessions is not permitted, however, as a speaker, you are permitted to ask for a copy of the session recording. OpenWater records all sessions automatically, so even if the sessions are not to be shown on-demand, we do keep copies available for staff.

Do I need to present my own slides or can conference staff help with this?

We encourage speakers to share their own slides however, if you have a poor connection or are not as comfortable with the zoom platform we can have a staff member present your slides for you. We just ask that you communicate this with us as soon as possible.

Do I need to have a fast internet connection to be a speaker?

We suggest having access to high-speed internet on the day of the event in order to ensure a clear picture, and no delays for attendees. We consider high speed internet to be 25 Mbps or higher. 

You can read more about Zoom’s base requirements here. 

If you do not have access to fast internet we suggest recording your presentation in advance and staff can play the recording live during the event. 

Do I need to have a Zoom Account to participate?

Yes. You can access all features with a free or paid Zoom Account.

Should I practice my presentation beforehand?

Absolutely! Practice makes perfect so we always suggest logging into our conference platform before the event to make sure you can get in ok. We also suggest using zoom in your free time to get comfortable with the program and record yourself presenting a few times.

What if I have an emergency and cannot present any more?

Reach out to the conference staff right away so they can take the proper actions (cancelling your session, or finding a replacement speaker).

Is it possible for me to “favorite” the sessions I’m participating in for quick access?

Yup! You’ll notice next to the title of each session a star icon. If you click this star, our platform will automatically create a “favorites” list for you and showcase them in a separate tab in the schedule like this:

Can I share my registration details with colleagues?

No, only one person per registration can participate at a time.

How do I get more help if I have questions not listed here?

Staff and moderators should be available within the session to help you. You can also use the below blue widget located in the bottom right of your screen:

Our support staff is happy to help you with whatever you need!