[Speaker update] You're speaking at Rust Forge next week
We’re really excited to welcome you as a speaker at Rust Forge next week. Here’s a run-down of all the general logistics so you know what the plan is.
If you have any specific requests, please let us know as soon as you can so we can factor them in to our run sheet.
A reminder about ensuring
that your conduct enables everyone
to feel welcome-As a speaker at the event, you have a significant role to play in setting its tone.
It’s doubly import you are upholding the code of conduct and are seen to be upholding it.
/// DURING THE WEEKLogistics
Venue
Where: Shed 6, Queens’ Wharf, Wellington CBD
When: We will be on-site from 8am-5:30pm Wednesday until Saturday.
Contact People
Tash is Operations Manager and should be the first person to talk to if you need help. (You’ll receive another email with her contact details shortly)
We will have a volunteer assigned to looking after you during the conference, we’ll let you know who this is when you arrive.
Speakers’ Dinner
4:30pm - 9pm Wednesday 27 August
Includes transport, dinner and a night tour of Zealandia. Our bus leaves from Shed 6 at approximately 4:30pm.
Programme
Updates here https://rustforgeconf.com/talks
Some timing changes have been made to the programme.
Your allocated speaking slot may have shifted by up to an hour from what was planned. We’ll keep you updated.
Speakers Area / Prep Space
Unfortunately, there will not be much space at the conference venue for speakers to make last-minute changes to your talk. We’ll have a quiet area, but unfortunately furniture will be very limited.
That’s okay though - because your talk should already be finished - right? Right?
Intros
You’re welcome to send through any notes that you wish to be introduced by, as well as phonetic spelling of your name.
I also recommending introduce yourself to the MC, Amber Craig before your talk. That will hopefully clear up pronunciation.
/// YOUR TALKA/V Requirements
Bring your own laptop
1920×1080 screen resolution, with 1080p over HDMI or USB C
Own laptop
We’re planning on you delivering your presentation from your own laptop. Please let us know if that may be a problem.
Visuals
Please set your laptop’s display output to Full HD, aka 1080p (1920x1080).
While it’s tempting to use higher resolutions, this decreases the likelihood that your audience will be able to read your content.
Beware of conference WiFi
Ensure that your presentation can still function without Internet access. It should gracefully degrade in an airgapped environment.
Tech check
You will do a tech check with our AV crew in the break immediately prior to your speaking slot.
Please also take the opportunity to practice adjusting the microphone.
On stage
Room
You will be presenting in a large room that feels like a university lecture hall from a raised stage.
Stage
The stage 400mm (16 inches) high off the ground, 6 metres (~20 feet) wide and 2 metres deep.
Microphone
Your mic will be attached to the lectern or a hand-held is available if required.
The microphone should be positioned below your chin - this avoids cutting your chin off in the recording.
Unfortunately, this will limit movement on stage. This has the advantage of ensuring that you’ll be seen on the recording.
Monitor
You’ll be able to see what the audience sees via a monitor in front of that.
Remember to speak to the audience rather than this screen!
Timekeeping
Time will be kept analogue-style with someone in the front row holding up very handy time prompts.
Nervousness
It’s natural to feel nervous and anxious. Limit food in the hours before your talk - otherwise you risk nausea.
30-10min before speaking: Move your whole body! Go for a brisk walk.
10-2min before speaking: Hum gently and stretch your jaw.
This will warm up your vocal cords and increase blood flow to your jaw, which will improve your opening.
2-0min before speaking: Breathe deeply. Focus on opening your chest.
Plugging in
This will take longer than you’re used to. The equipment is unfamiliar and fine motor skills are the first things to go when people are stressed.
Speak to the audience, but look up at the tech desk during the awkward few moments of plugging in your laptop. They’ll be waving to you if there are any audio issues.
While speaking
Smile, pause, speak.
Talk to the audience, not your screen or the monitor in front of you.
Occasionally look directly into the camera like how you speak to a webcam. People are watching!
/// AFTER YOR TALKQuestions
Depending on how we’re going for time, questions will be taken from the stage and then you can head to the collab space to continue conversations. Our MC will facilitate this.
Assets
Please send slides, links and any digital resources for viewers to speak@rustforgeconf.com.
Providing slides early will make it easier to create high-quality full screen shots of your video during the editing process.
Recordings
- https://youtube.com/@RustForgeConf
Your talk will be recorded and uploaded to YouTube and the Internet Archive in the weeks after the conference.
Please check the answers in your Pretalx settings.
You’re welcome to provide suggestions to the talk description.
Transcriptions
We would like to provide human-generated transcriptions of the talks.
To assist us with this, we’ll send you a private link to the video and a draft transcription file. This is your opportunity to correct any errors.
Sorry that this has been a longer email than it should be! If you have any questions, please email hello@rustforgeconf.com.
All the best for the days ahead.
Tim