The Association for Talent Development’s Virtual Conference: Unleash Potential is now in full swing. This event is all about learning together and maximizing potential—that includes the technological aspects of the conference. Here are some tips to help you navigate technical issues and make the most of your virtual experience.

If you have helpful suggestions you’ve discovered, share those with us via [email protected]. We are all learning together.

Overcome access troubles

Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers are the recommended browsers to use. If you’re encountering issues, such as with content not loading properly, first close your browser and clear the cache. Try an incognito or private window as a second option. Likewise, try limiting yourself to one open tab, because running multiple tabs can cause loading issues.

For some, organizational security issues may cause problems with the video player. For audio or video issues, open the session directly in the Zoom app by selecting “Open in Zoom app” below the video player. ATD staff are entering the meeting ID, password, and audio code in the session chat for those who experience technical difficulties.

If you need additional assistance with browser compatibility, click the Help button at the bottom of the platform’s home page to submit your issue. A technical team member will respond to you as quickly as possible.

Join in the live sessions

For fully live sessions, a countdown to the session start will be visible on the session page. Some sessions have a prerecorded video prior to you joining the live Q&A. Press play to watch the video. Then you will have the option to join the live meeting.

Remember that all sessions are scheduled in Eastern time zone. However, the platform enables you to set and view the agenda in your preferred time zone. Don’t worry if you missed a live session—they’re all being recorded and will be posted same day, and you will have access to them through the end of the year.

Interact in sessions

You have a number of options for interacting during sessions via four tabs on each session’s page: Chat, Polls, People, and Files.

Chats. Join the chat on the session page to connect with other attendees during the session.

Polls. ATD has a preset Have Questions? Our Speakers Have Answers poll. This is where you and fellow attendees can pose questions during the live Q&A. You can also upvote questions that you’d like answered. Speakers likewise have the option to set up their own polls related to the session content.

ATD has asked speakers to review and respond to questions submitted during the session via the chat. You can search for speakers and connect with them in the People tab, under Speakers.

People. Looking to connect with others from a session chat? The People tab enables you to view who is attending the session. Then you can connect and message others.

Files. ATD asked speakers to submit resources ahead of their sessions. Those resources—including any additional resources that ATD shared—are available in the Files tab. If you don’t see files, then the speaker did not have resources to share.

Share your thoughts

ATD values your feedback on the sessions. That helps us improve and expand future programming. Session evaluations are linked in each session. Click the Complete Session Evaluation button at the bottom of the session page to complete.

For additional technical solutions, check out the article “Don’t Let Technical Issues Disrupt Your Conference Experience.”

Share your ATD Virtual Conference experience on social media. #ATDVirtualConference