This year the NHS APA conference, titled 'What does good look like during and after Covid-19?' will not only be free for all delegates but it will also be streamed online and accessible from your computer and/or mobile.
For anyone joining the event, we want to make sure that you are able to successfully access all the sessions on the day and also make the most out of the virtual experience. Here is a useful guide for how to make the most out of the day's events.
How do I join the conference?
To access the conference you must first register for the event here.
On successful registration you will receive a confirmation email and a calendar invite to the event. You will then be added to our conference mailing list.
On the 9th September you will be sent a link to our 2020 conference webpage where you can then navigate to all the different live and on demand webinars. This will be sent to you on the morning of the 9th of September - so please keep a lookout for it!
What software will I need?
The webinar system we will be using to deliver the conference is called Big Marker. This system requires no 3rd party downloads or installs. It is supported on most browsers, devices and OS. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, all modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera, as well as mobile platforms: iOS and Android.
All webinars will be streamed in HD to provide the best quality picture and audio content.
To make the most out of these features, as a delegate, you will need the following settings and internet speed:
High speed internet - the minimum download and upload speed to join the room as an attendee without interruption is 2Mbps. If you fail to meet the minimum requirements you may experience technical difficulties in the room including losing connection and poor audio and video. If you fail to reach these minimum requirements please read the following article to help improve your connection.
You must have the latest browser versions - Please be aware older browser versions of Internet Explorer are not supported. To check the browsers which are supported and to download the latest versions please go to: https://bigmarker.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/207347873-Internet-Browser-Information-
Ensure your network firewall enables access to the required web pages and ports - this will be flagged in the systems check if there is an error. If it is blocked by your firewall you may need to ask your IT department to white list the Big Marker URL (www.bigmarker.com)
To test all these settings, please run a systems check here.
We recommend doing this ahead of the event to avoid disruptions on the day.
If you have any issues or questions please contact our support team - or on the day of the conference you can utilise our Live Chat feature to speak to our support team.
Speakers and Sessions
Our conference this year will be starting at 9.15 am and running until 4pm with various segments, breaks and webinar formats.
The main speaker talks will be split into a number of sessions throughout the day. To access a webinar simply click the ‘join the session button’ under the speaker session you wish to watch.
If the session is due to start you will be taken to the webinar landing page and waiting room area. When the session starts you will automatically be taken through to the webinar where the talk will start.
If you want to join a session which has already started, no problem, you will be directed straight through.
In addition to the speaker session, we will also have several breakout sessions running simultaneously throughout the day which as a delegate you can choose which session to join.
What will I see in the webinar room?
In the webinar room you will see a main presentation window where the speaker will be presenting their slides, videos or camera on the day.
As a delegate your mic and camera will automatically be switched off throughout the presentations. Only speakers or event organisers will be presenting using their webcams or mics.
The only area where delegates will have the opportunity to switch their mic and cameras on will be in our sponsors webinars in order to speak directly with the team.
In the webinar area you can also download any handouts and engage with the chat and polling features on the right of the screen which we will explain more about shortly.
Finally, to leave a webinar you can simply close your browser window or at the end of the webinar you will be redirected back to the 2020 conference landing page where you can then navigate to the next session.
How can I ask questions on the day?
In the webinar room there are a number of chat features including a Q&A area. Where these features are enabled we will encourage delegates to ask questions to speakers during their talks.
To ask a question simply type your question into the text box and click send. Once answered, the question will move to the answered tab and be open for comments and further questions.
As a delegate you can also use an upvote feature which is useful to select when a question has already been posed by another delegate and you would also like it answered. All answers will be posted back on the Q&A feed.
For the live panel in the afternoon, panel members will be answering questions on camera. However questions to the speakers will still be sent in the same way.
How else can I engage with the day's events?
Throughout the day, on the conference landing page we will be posting polls and surveys for delegates to engage with. There will also be polls and surveys within the webinars themselves.
We also encourage all delegates to engage with us on social media and a stream of the conference # will appear throughout the conference as well.
What do I do if I need help on the day?
On the lead up to the conference please contact the conference team on the email below if you have any questions or queries.
On the day of the conference there will be a Live Chat feature on the 2020 conference landing page and our conference support team will be attending each webinar and monitoring the chat boxes for any technical support issues.
Closing
The NHS APA would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has registered and are planning to attend the conference. Over 500 people from across the sector are set to join us on the 9th.
We looking forward to seeing you there.