Prior to the start of the conference, you will be emailed an invitation to each session of the conference. We recommend registering for each event before attempting to join. The instructions for registering can be found in the FAQ entry below, as well as here on Events.com Virtual's website.

To join a session, you will need to follow the steps below. This information was sourced directly from Events.com Virtual, the full article can be found here. 

1. Head over to the link provided to you by the event organizer (this could be a direct event link or sent through an email invitation). This is the same link you used to register for the event with. Please also remember to check your Spam folder as well, if the event organizer has sent you an email invitation to join but you are not seeing it in your inbox,
2. Click the 'Join Event' or 'Join Lobby'. If you see a blue button that says "Register for the Event", this means the event has not started yet. You can choose to save your spot at the event by registering in advance following these instructions. If you still see "Register for the Event" and the countdown timer above has already reached 00:00:00, please refresh your page.
3. Next, you will be asked to log in to the event space using one of the options provided by your host. Click on your preferred login option to learn more about it:
   1. Custom SSO
   2. Social Logins (Microsoft, Google, LinkedIn or Facebook)
   3. Email Address & Magic Link
   4. Email & Password

4. If this is your first time on Events.com Virtual, you will be asked to enter your name and fill out your profile first. If this is not your first time attending an event on Events.com Virtual, you can skip over to Step 5! Your Events.com Virtual profile is like your virtual business card, it's information other guests can see to get to know you or connect with you. For more information on your profile in Events.com Virtual, please check out this article.

5. Then, you'll be directed to the lobby of the event. Here, you can test your microphone and camera, as well as select your virtual background! Events.com Virtual will also run a system check in the background to test your connection, browser compatibility, and device compatibility. When you're ready, click on the blue "Join Event" button to join the event space.

If the event you are trying to join is full, you will be redirected to the registration page and shown a message saying the event is now full as shown below. Please contact the SciTS Support Team at support@inscitsadmin.org if you find yourself in this situation. 

Any concurrent sessions will be linked together and you will be able to access them through the menu at the top of your screen. The join links for each session will also be available here to anyone who is registered for the conference.

The following instructions were directly sourced from Events.com Virtual's knowledge base. The direct link to that page of their website can be found here. 

You’ve been invited to an event on Events.com Virtual?

That’s great news! ✨

Get ready for a truly immersive online experience.

1. Head over to the event link provided to you by the event organizer (this could be a direct event link or sent through an email invitation).

2. Click the blue "Register for Event" button to save your spot at the event.

3. Next, you will be asked to log in to the event space using one of the options provided by your host. Click on your preferred login option to learn more about it:

   1. Log in via Custom Single Sign-On Option

   2. Log in via Social Login via Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Microsoft

   3. Log in via Magic Link

   4. Log in via Email & Password
       

4. Next, you'll see a pop up confirming your registration for the event! You should also see the previously blue Join Event button has now turned into a gray "Registration Confirmed" button. Note that you will not be able to join the event until the time that it is scheduled to begin. 

No, you will not need to download anything. Additionally, Events.com Virtual does not have an app and only exists in browser format. However, please note that your browser will request you to give Events.com Virtual access to your microphone and camera when you attempt to enter for the first time. 

Yes, but only during the scheduled training sessions prior to the conference. Events.com does not allow open access to the venue at all times. The training sessions are scheduled for the following days and times:

If there is high demand for another training session, they will be scheduled for the week of July 21.

Our partners at Events.com Virtual have provided this guide for our attendees. They have also provided this at-a-glace guide. We encourage all attendees to go through it prior to the conference.

Additionally, we will have two training sessions prior to the conference. The sessions will be on Thursday, July 17 at 12:00 PM EDT and 3:00 PM EDT. To RSVP, please click the links below. 

Our partners at Events.com Virtual have provided this guide for our presenters and facilitators. We encourage all presenters to go through it prior to the conference.

The two presenter training sessions have concluded at this time. If you would like to register for the attendee demo sessions, please see the FAQ entry above. 

The following instructions were directly sourced from Events.com Virtual's knowledge base. The direct link to that page of their website can be found here. 

With Events.com Virtual, you can easily share your screen so that other people can see what you see! For example, if you want to show an awesome webpage or you’ve prepared a brilliant cutting-edge presentation deck, sharing your screen is the easiest way to show that off.

And the good news is that you can share your screen in both Conversation Mode (with the other people at your table) AND in Presentation Mode (with everyone in the event). 

Currently, Events.com Virtual allows you to share your screen on a computer/laptop. However, it doesn’t support screen sharing on a Phone or Tablet.

Please note that different browsers have different options for what you can share. For example, on a Chrome browser, you can choose between sharing your entire screen, an application window, or a tab. Whereas, in Safari, you can only share your entire screen.

Note the maximum resolution for screen share would be 1080 with a ratio of 4:3

Here’s how you can start screen sharing on Events.com Virtual:

Conversation Mode:
Guests, Speakers, and Event Hosts can all share their screen whilst in Conversation Mode.

1. Click the 'Share Screen' button in the menu bar located at the bottom of the screen

2. Select the screen you want to share. Depending on the browser used, you will have different options for what you can share.

3. If you would like to share audio while screen sharing, make sure the box in the bottom-left corner of the share screen pop-up is checked. If you do not want to share audio, make sure to uncheck that box. 

   You can only share audio when using a Google Chrome or a Microsoft Edge browser.

   Depending on the device you are using, you may have different options for sharing audio. On a Mac computer, you can only share audio when sharing a Chrome or Edge tab. On a PC computer, you can share audio when sharing a Chrome or Edge tab, as well as your entire screen. 

4. Once you have made your selections, click the 'Share' button.

5. You can make your share screen bigger by clicking on the 'View' button on the menu bar. You can also maximize your share screen by clicking on the maximize button in the upper right corner of the share screen box.

6. To stop screen sharing, you can click again on the 'Share' button

Presentation Mode:
In Presentation Mode, only Event Hosts, Registered Speakers, and Guests Invited on Stage can share their screen.

1. Click the ‘Share’ button in the bottom menu toolbar.
2. Select the screen you want to share. Depending on the browser used, you will have different options for what you can share.

3. If you would like to share audio while screen sharing, make sure the box in the bottom-left corner of the share screen pop-up is checked. If you do not want to share audio, make sure to uncheck that box.

   You can only share audio when using a Google Chrome or a Microsoft Edge browser.

   Depending on the device you are using, you may have different options for sharing audio. On a Mac computer, you can only share audio when sharing a Chrome or Edge tab. On a PC computer, you can share audio when sharing a Chrome or Edge tab, as well as your entire screen.

4. Once you have made your selections, click the 'Share' button.

5. Your shared screen will automatically become the primary focus and your video/audio stream (and other speakers’) will be arranged as a smaller box shown on the bottom of everyone’s screen. 
   
   If you would not like to use this focused view (i.e. you prefer having both the screen share and the mic/cam stream equally sized) you can toggle back to Tile View). If you opt for the Focus View and there are multiple screens being shared by different speakers, Event Hosts can choose which screen share should be the primary one (i.e. the focused one).

6. If another speaker shares their screen, the Event Host will get a notification at the top of their screen asking if they would like to make this second shared screen the primary focus. The speaker who shared their screen will also get a message letting them know their shared screen request has been sent to the Event Host.

7. If the Event Host would like to make this new shared screen the primary focus, they can either click the ‘Make Primary’ button in that notification message -OR- they can hover over the shared screen in the left-hand side menu and click the 'Replace Primary Screenshare' button. Only the Event Host can select which shared screen to make the primary one.

8. Now the primary shared screen will become the one the Event Host just selected. The Event Host can only select one shared screen to be the primary focus at a time. Please note, that if you choose to record Presentation Mode, it records it in exactly the same layout as you opt for (Tile View or Focus View). If you’re facing some technical difficulties when trying to share your screen, please check out this help article on for the common issues with Screen Sharing.

For all presentations with the exception of the posters, each session will have it's own event within the platform. When a speaker is ready, the SciTS Admin in the room will invite them to present to the full event space using Presentation Mode. From there, presenters will be able to speak to everyone in the event, share their screen, invite other attendees to speak, and more! To learn how to share your screen and/or audio, please read the FAQ entry above this one. 

For poster presentations, each presenter will have a table for their poster in the Poster Hall. This table will be a private conversation area limited to 6 attendees at a time, including the presenter themselves. You will be sharing your presentation in Conversation Mode. To learn more about screensharing in Conversation Mode, please read the FAQ entry above this one. 

Yes, each event will have a number of tables, and each table is a private conversation space. To join a table, you will only need to double-click on it. Everyone at the table will be able to see and hear each other, and anyone outside of the table will not. You will also be able to have a private chat with those at your table, but please be aware that if you leave the table, the chat will not be saved. If you return to the same table, the table chat will be empty.

There are a few ways that you will "move around" during the SciTS Conference. Each session during the conference will be its own independent event with a unique registration link. To register for each event, please refer to the FAQ with the question "How do I register for an Events.com Virtual Event?", or visit this page on Events.com Virtual's Knowledge Base. 

Once you are in an event, you will have the ability to join a table. These tables are private conversation spaces, and you will only be able to hear attendees at your table. To change tables, you will just need to double-click the table you wish to be at. If you are in a plenary, workshop, or oral presentation block, when the session starts the presenter will broadcast to the full event in Presentation Mode. You will not longer be able to speak to those at your table. You will, however, still have access to the private chat between those at your table. 

To move between concurrent events, you will simply need to click "Event Map" at the top of your screen and select the session that you would like to attend. 

The following instructions were directly sourced from Events.com Virtual's knowledge base. The direct link to that page of their website can be found here. 

There are a number of ways you can connect with people during an Events.com Virtual event:

1. Switch your mic on.*
2. Switch your camera on.*
3. Chat with others. You can choose to chat using:
   1. General Chat: All guests in the event.
   2. Table Chat: Those guests only at your current table . Note that once you leave a table, the chat will not save even if you return to the same table. 
   3. Private Message: 1:1 direct message with another guest.
4. Book or schedule a meeting with another guest. To do this, all you need to do is click a guest's profile image and their profile ('virtual business card') will appear. 

To use the chat feature

1. Click 'Chat' in your bottom menu toolbar. The Chat feature is available for all users (Event Hosts, Speakers, and Guests).

2. Select the type of chat you'd like to use (in other words, who you would like to chat with).

3. Type in the message you'd like to send into the textbox. You can add emojis, or attach files here as well!  There is no restriction on the file format or size for message attachments.

4. Click the blue Send button when you're ready to send your message!

*If you are having issues with your microphone or camera, please check out this test page.

In terms of accessibility, Events.com Virtual offers Closed Captions, Keyboard Shortcuts, and High Contrast. The following information was sourced from their Knowledge Base, and a link to each guide will be provided below. 

Closed Captions in Presentation Mode
Guide from Events.com Virtual

Events.com Virtual aims to make the user experience for everyone awesome, and we mean everyone.

That is why Events.com Virtual now has in-built closed captioning functionality within Presentation Mode. With Closed Captioning, Events.com Virtual will automatically transcribe each speaker's audio, so everyone can know what was said and by whom.

Closed Captions in Events.com Virtual are available to all users (guests, speakers, hosts) in Presentation Mode. As a user, you can choose to enable or disable Closed Captions as you wish. 

There are two ways for guests to view closed captions during an event on Events.com Virtual:

1. Captions as an overlay. To activate, click the 'CC' button on your bottom menu toolbar. You should start seeing the captions, as well as the speaker's name underneath the videos. With this option, you'll see a maximum of 3 lines of captions at any point in time. To turn off the captions, simply click the 'CC' button one more time.
2. Captions on the side. Click the 'CC' tab on the right-hand side of your screen, and slide the 'Show Video Closed Captioning' toggle to ON. Once toggled on, you'll be able to see captions along with the speaker's name and timestamp in this panel. Please note, if you refresh your page, you will lose the captions previously shown prior to your refresh. To turn this off, simply return to the 'CC' tab and slide the 'Show Video Closed Captioning' toggle to OFF.
   
   Closed Captions are currently only available:
   1. During Presentation Mode. However, Events.com Virtual has compiled a list of 3rd party tools you can use in Conversation Mode to add captioning - check it out here!
   2. When using Events.com Virtual on a laptop or computer device. It is not available on mobile devices such as smart phones or tablets. 
   3. In English.

Keyboard Shortcuts
Guide from Events.com Virtual

Please note, these are only available on a computer, laptop or desktop, NOT for mobile phone.

High Contrast
Guide from Events.com Virtual

A high contrast theme or mode is one with a limited color palette and contrasting colors, specifically used to make a website or online interface easier to use or read.

High contrast modes/themes can greatly benefit those with low vision or photosensitivity, among others, to browse websites.

And, good news! Events.com Virtual is compatible with various browser and computer high-contrast features and/or extensions:

• Windows
• Mac
• Google Chrome

Windows

If you are on a Windows computer, you can also turn on high contrast for your computer/laptop:

1. Press Start, click 'Settings'
2. Under Vision, select 'High Contrast'
3. Toggle the option for 'Turn on high contrast' ON
4. Choose the theme that works for you!

Mac

If you're on a Mac computer on the other hand, here's how you can turn on high contrast for your device:

1. Open your 'System Preferences' (click the Apple logo in the upper left-hand corner of your screen, and select 'System Preferences')
2. Select 'Accessibility'
3. Find and click 'Display'
4. Check the box for Increase contrast (You can also adjust your display contrast by sliding the scale bar as you wish).

Google Chrome

If you are using a Google Chrome browser, you can download an extension to access a high contrast feature:

1. Click the 3 vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner of your screen (next to your browser address bar), and click 'Settings'.
2. Click 'Advanced' on the left-hand side menu bar and press 'Accessibility'.
3. Select 'Add Accessibility Features' and search and add the High Contrast extension to your Google Chrome browser.
4. Once the extension has been added, you should be able to access it from the 'extensions' button (looks like a puzzle piece, next to your browser address bar). If you click the 'High Contrast extension', you'll have a few color schemes you can choose from to suit your preferences.

Yes. We ask that all of our attendees use Google Chrome, if possible. Other browsers have repeatedly demonstrated sound issues.

Presenters will be able to join their session approximately 15 minutes prior to it's start time. Moderators will be allowed in early as well. Attendees will not be able to join any sessions early. 

Poster numbers are located on the Poster Abstract page of the conference website. 

If you click on the screen and hold the button down, you are able to drag the map to look around. Additionally, you can scroll your mouse to zoom in and zoom out.

Speakers will be sent a special invitation to register for their sessions as a Speaker.

Currently, we are planning to have three different room layouts - one for the Plenary, General Session, and Orals; one for Workshops and Panels; and one for the Poster Hall. Please click on the session types to see each layout!

Only the Event Host is able to rename tables. We are also limiting this option to our Workshop and Panel presentations. If you are a presenter and want to name your tables ahead of time, please reach out to support@inscitsadmin.org to coordinate.

The Event Host is able to move attendees to a different table, but Speakers are not.

No, only Event Hosts are able to invite Attendees to the stage.

No, only the Event Hosts can start Presentation Mode.

Yes. When going from session to session, you will need to leave and rejoin the platform.