Dear Friend,
The next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo is fast approaching on August 14-15, 2021. We know that a number of you experienced problems with the March 2021 Expo. We want to explain what happened, how we’ve addressed the problem, and provide you with an opportunity to preview the upcoming Expo platform.
What Happened At The Last (March 2021) Expo?
The reason we had problems is that I tried to integrate two different platforms from two different vendors to make a better user experience. The integration failed. Consequently some of you had difficulty getting into the Expo. We were unable to fix the problem during the Live Expo period. However, we quickly made all of the edited video presentations available so that all ticket holders were able to watch any of the presentations during the 30 day on-demand period. Almost everyone with a ticket (over 7,000 people) came back during the on-demand period and watched a total of almost 100,000 video presentations.
What Are We Doing Differently At The Upcoming (August 2021) Expo?
We are exclusively back on the vFairs platform that we so successfully used, last year, at our August 2020 Expo. vFairs has made upgrades to the platform over the last year such as video meeting lounges that will replace the text chat in the exhibitor booths. This video chat will allow an eyeball QSO with exhibitors and new friends in the subject lounges.
Is There A Way To Preview The August 2021 Platform Prior To Buying A Ticket?
Yes!!!! We’ve created an easy way to preview the platform. From 0800 to 1300 PDT (1500 - 2000 UTC) on August 1 anyone can go and preview our Expo platform at no charge. Just go to https://qsotoday.vfairs.com
We are opening the doors of our virtual convention center so that you become familiar with the layout and navigation of the Expo, including the Lobby, Auditorium, Exhibit Hall, and meeting Lounges.
We installed 4 speaker presentations from the last Expo so you can experience how the presentations and video work. (At the August 2021 Expo expect 90+ presentations!)
We opened the Exhibit area featuring two fully functional exhibit booths from FlexRadio and QSO Today. In addition, I will be in the QSO Today booth video lounge, so that you can speak with me and experience a live, video meeting on the platform.
For more information about the August 14-15 2021 Expo and to get tickets, go to https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com.
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio® in the United States, is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Partner. FlexRadio is the Expo’s Platinum Sponsor. Gold Sponsor’s are Elecraft and RFinder.
We hope to give you confidence in the steps we have taken to ensure an excellent experience at the Expo. We take your concerns seriously and have worked hard to address them. We hope to see you at the upcoming Expo on August 14-15, 2021!
73,
Eric Guth, 4Z1UG
QSO Today Podcast
QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo
