Hi there Marty! What a great list of questions! We’ll know how many people to expect by the first of August, that’s why we have an Early Bird that is so . . . well, early! Once we have that information, we plan to put together a package for the vendors. So we’ll know more details then, but in the meantime I can tell you that a.. YES, people can go into exhibitor’s “room” and talk with the exhibitors! We’re working out the details with the platform designers -- right now they allow only one attendee at a time to go talk with each exhibitor, we want that changed so it’s more like a real conference, where multiple people can go into the booth and listen to the conversation. b.. YES we plan to have our traditional SOMA “Exhibitor Highlights” session, with ACVREP credit for attendees. We were going to have it as a general session but the program is so PACKED and everything is live (nothing will be recorded) so, rather than risk having people miss it, we decided to have the Exhibitors’ session recorded so folks can attend it whenever they want -- perhaps it could be available weeks ahead to get the BUZZ going. There are no keynotes or general sessions, we plan to keep the audiences small in every session so they can be interactive. We are discussing other options for the exhibitors, such as ways to incentivize attendees to go into their booths, and will have more details in a few weeks. -- Dona ________________________________________ Dona Sauerburger, COMS Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind Gambrills, Maryland dona@sauerburger.org / 301-858-0138 www.sauerburger.org ________________________________________ From: Marty Schultz Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2020 1:10 PM To: OandM@groups.io Subject: Re: [OandM] SOMA "LIVE" online conference -- you aint seen ANYTHING like this! How is the vendor progress going: 1. What is your expectation of attendees? 2. Will vendors be given contact info for all attendees? 3. Will there be a way to engage in live one-on-one conversations with attendees (via zoom or chatting) during the event? 4. Is there a way for all vendors to be announced at the “general” session, like an intro that would happen IRL 5. Is there a “general” session where everyone (via zoom) gets together and listens to a keynote speaker. 6. Is there a keynote speaker? 7. Is there an online guide for people to sign up for the classes once the event has started, and a way to “promote” on that page? On Jul 23, 2020, at 1:06 PM, Dona Sauerburger <dona@sauerburger.org> wrote: Hi everyone! I’ve never been more excited about an O&M conference than I am about the “LIVE” online SOMA O&M conference December 14-15, 2020 ( next Friday is the deadline for the Early-Bird registration )!! PROGRAM: First of all, the response to the Call for Papers was awesome -- great ideas from newbies (they inspire me with their fresh perspectives!) and O&M veterans, figuring out how to provide O&M during the pandemic, thinking about standards and where we want to go, and some thoughtful reflections on topics I hadn’t even considered. Want to see it for yourself? Check out the program here. PLATFORM: Secondly, we have found a platform that will knock your socks off! When you log in, you can go see who is in the “lobby” and chat with them, or just walk into the “lounge” and find a table with folks you want to sit down and visit. Or you can see what’s new at the exhibitors’ “booths” and go inside to talk with them. A huge “THANK YOU” to Brad Blair and Jack Mitchell for testing to make sure the platform is accessible! INTERACTIVE! Third, the presenters are excited (and, let’s be honest, a little nervous!) about making their sessions interactive. Some will be asking YOU questions and bringing you into the discussion, some will break you into groups so you can discuss the implications of what you learned or figure out how to apply it, and come back to the main room and share your ideas. WARNING: This is not your typical webinar we all snore through while playing CandyCrush in our pajamas, as I have done (more than once!). You’ll want to come prepared to BE there, just as you would if you were there in person! Get dressed in something fun, and turn off your phone and distractions because you’ll be engaged and active the whole time. But don’t worry about being overloaded – although the day will be long (10 AM to 7:30 PM Eastern) so we can include people on both sides of the country (and our NZ presenter!), we built in lots of breaks so you can catch your breath or get your lunch/dinner (or go see what mischief you can make in the lounge, and check out what’s new at the exhibits!). Speaking of wearing something fun – we will have a contest next month to design a commemorative T-shirt and/or bag, so put on your thinking cap and come up with some ideas! DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: Next Friday (July 31) is the deadline for the Early-Bird registration of $99, which is completely refundable if you request it by September. For registration, go to https://somaconference.org/sreg2020.html For more information, go to LIVE online SOMA O&M Conference -- Dona ________________________________________ Dona Sauerburger, COMS Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind Gambrills, Maryland dona@sauerburger.org / 301-858-0138 www.sauerburger.org ________________________________________ _._,_._,_ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#275) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [sauerburger@mindspring.com] _._,_._,_