All you need to know about the BMLA 2021 Virtual Conference platform

We know that the world of virtual events is new to most of us, so we've put together a list of hint & tips to help you get the most out of your time at #BMLA2021If you can't find the answer to your question, please contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Please note, only registered attendees who have been issued with a login key will have access to the virtual platform. If you have not received your registered delegate login key, please get in touch

The virtual platform will remain open for registered conference attendees until 6 August 2021. 
The below information makes reference to, and is relevant for, the virtual platform website. For general information and queries, please visit the FAQ page


GENERAL

I’m new to virtual events…where do I start?

The best way to familiarise yourself with all the different features is to have a good look round the virtual platform. From the homepage you will be able to find the ‘Programme’ which is how you access all the sessions, network with other attendees via the ‘Connect’ tab, visit virtual exhibition pages from the ’Sponsors & Exhibitors’ tab, see a list of ‘Speakers & Chairs’ and chat with fellow attendees by using the 'messages' icon.

What browser should I use to access the virtual platform?

Any browser EXCEPT Internet Explorer will work perfectly. You can safely use Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge. 

How do I contact the organisers for help?

The easiest way to get support while on the virtual platform, is to use the VenuIQ support team chat, by clicking on the message icon at the bottom right of your screen. Alternatively, you can email the organisers and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

How do I update my profile?

You can add/change your photo and bio by clicking 'Edit my profile' at the top right of your screen. This is also where you can update your time zone.

I haven't had chance to look at everything I hoped to, can I access the platform after the live event has ended?

Yes, you can! You will be able to watch any of the sessions you missed on the platform for up to 3 months after the live event ends. However, you won't be able to speak to other delegates, arrange meetings or connect with exhibitors after the live event, so we recommend doing as much of that as you can during the event days.

Can I watch a session on my phone?

Absolutely! Just visit bmla2021.venu-iq.com on your phone and log in using your access code. Once logged in, you will be able to do everything on your mobile phone that you can do on your computer.


REGISTRATION

My colleague hasn’t registered but they’d like to come, is it too late?

No, not at all. They will need to register via the official website. Depending on the timing of their registration, they may be given post-event access only.  

Can I share my login details with colleagues?

No, the login details  you received are unique to you so should not be shared. If colleagues would like to join, please ask them to register using the information listed above.  


SESSIONS

How do I access the sessions?

You can see a full list of sessions you have booked (either the conference sessions or individual courses) by clicking on the ‘Programme’ button. Scroll down to view the full agenda and access a session by clicking on the session title. You can also add sessions to your own personal agenda by clicking on the '+' button next to the session title. To view your own agenda, click 'My Agenda' at the top of the page.

How do I ask a speaker a question in one of the sessions?

During the sessions you can ask a question via the ‘Questions and Answer’ box on the right-hand side. You can also view any files the speaker may have added for you to download.

How can I provide immediate feedback for each sessions?

During the sessions, you can provide feedback via the ‘Session Feedback’ box on the right-hand side (just under 'Questions & Answers'). Make sure you scroll down in the 'Session Feedback' box and complete all 4 questions, before clicking 'Submit'. If you don't submit your feedback, this will not be recorded.

We encourage you to provide your feedback for all the sessions you are viewing/attending, as this helps inform our future planning. An overall evaluation survey, where you will have the opportunity to provide more detailed information, will be sent out post-conference. 

I have missed a session, can I watch it later?

Yes, the majority of the sessions will be recorded and available to view afterwards (for up to 3 months). To watch a recording of a session, you will just need to click on the session title within ‘My Agenda’ and the video should appear.

Educational Courses recordings will be available for those who have booked these elements, from the 22nd of April until one week post conference. 

Why can’t I access the session and it starts soon?

You will only be able to access a session 1 minute before the start. If the session has already started or is due to start in less than 1 minute and you are having issues accessing it, please contact the VenuIQ support team via the chat icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen and we will try to assist you. As a reminder, all sessions will be recorded so if you miss anything you will be able to catch up later.

I clicked join meeting and it says 'The organiser will admit you soon' - what does this mean?

It may be showing this if the meeting hasn’t started yet and you are being held in a virtual waiting room, the speaker may be running a couple of minutes late so give it a couple of minutes and a member of the team will admit you once the session is ready to start. If you’re still experiencing issues, please click the help chat icon in the bottom right of your screen to chat to tech support.

There are 2 sessions I want to join but they’re at the same time, can I watch one later?

Yes, the sessions will be recorded so available to view afterwards for up to 3 months (except Educational Courses which will only be available for 1 week post-event). To view the sessions, you will just need to click on the session title within 'Programme' and the video should appear. Remember, you will have access to the platform for 3 months after the live event (until 6 August 2021) so there's plenty of time to catch up on any sessions you missed.

Will I be on camera for everyone to see?

During programmed sessions, only the speakers will appear on camera to avoid distracting other delegates.


NETWORKING

How do I network with other delegates?

You can find your fellow attendees in the 'Connect' tab at the top of your screen. From here, you can click on their name to view their profile, send them a message or schedule a meeting to be able to have a video call with them. Any messages you send or receive will appear in your own personal inbox in the message icon at the top right of your screen. You can also use the search function on the right-hand side on the ‘Connect’ page. You can search by name, job title and organisation or filter by 'Industry Sector' to help you network with the right people.

Can I schedule a meeting and video chat with other delegates?

Yes, you can! To schedule a meeting, click on the profile of the person you wish to meet via the ‘Connect’ tab and then click the 'Schedule meeting' icon which looks like 3 people. From there you will be able to suggest 3 different times to meet. You can then add a title and details of why you wish to meet. Once you click 'Send invitation' an email will automatically be sent to that person notifying them you wish to meet and giving them the option to accept or decline. You will receive an email and notification on the platform once they have responded.

To access the private meeting, you just need to visit 'My Agenda', click on the private meeting and then click 'Join meeting' at the time the meeting is due to start.

Is there any easy way to search for people based on their job title or networking areas of interest?

Yes, you can use the search function within ‘Connect’ to look for people based on their name, job title or organisation.

Is there an opportunity to join group networking sessions?

Yes, there are two informal 'Virtual Lounge' sessions scheduled for Thursday and Friday evening (anticipated 17:15pm BST start), which will start as soon as the previous live sessions have ended. For more information, please visit the 'Programme' page.

The 'Virtual Lounges' will be held on Zoom and the instructions to join will appear on the virtual platform session. Join us at the scheduled times to meet with colleagues old and new, discuss presentations or just for a coffee or a glass of something perhaps and a chat! 


SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

How do I find out more information about the conference sponsors and exhibitors?

You can find all our exhibitors by clicking the ‘Sponsors & Exhibitors’ tab at the top of your screen. Then select which exhibition ‘stand’ you would like to visit. You can click ‘Request information’ or download information from their page and view any videos which they may have available.

How do I contact/speak to the sponsors?

From the ‘Sponsor & Exhibitor’ Area, go to each sponsor details by clicking on their logos. From here, you can see a list of sponsor representatives in the top right-hand corner. You can contact representatives by clicking on the ‘chat’ icon next to their name or clicking on the name and requesting a meeting. 


SPEAKERS & CHAIRS

How do I find out more about the speakers and chairs? 

You can view the full profile for speakers and chairs, by clicking on their image within each session. You can view a list of all the speakers and course faculty by clicking on the ‘Speakers & Chairs’ tab in the top menu.

To contact a speaker, please find them in the ‘Connect’ tab by searching for their name.

Speakers will take part in live Q&As associated with each programme session, so pertinent questions regarding sessions should be asked via the ‘Questions & Answers’ option visible at the top right hand side within each session page.