What is an online conference?
Online conferences are conducted entirely over the Internet. Presenters and attendees
participate directly from their computers through a secure website that includes
a variety of collaboration, communication and learning tools. Like traditional
face-to-face events, online conferences provide access to presentations by leading
experts, networking opportunities, and a variety of resources including white
papers, articles, tools and templates, reference lists and other information.
The entire event is accessible using a standard web browser and attendees can
login and participate at any time that fits their schedule, day or night.
Who should attend this conference?
If you are involved in any of the following areas, this event is for you:
- municipal & state government
- policy makers
- community organizations
- foundations
- businesses
- urban planners
- transportation & housing experts
- citizens
How does an online conference work?
This online conference is like a traditional conference but attendees don’t
need to travel, incur travel expenses, or spend time going to and from the event
– the entire conference is held online over a specific period of time. Accessible
through a password protected website, the conference includes all of the tools
and technology necessary to deliver content-rich presentations, provide useful
resources, and foster a true learning community.
Through real-time and asynchronous (occurring over time) interactions, attendees
participate in introductions, presentations, Q&A sessions, informal networking
and even facilitated breakout groups. Most of the presentations are
delivered in the form of narrated PowerPoint slideshows that can be accessed and
viewed at any time during the conference. Attendees may then post questions and
interact with the presenter and each other inside the presenter’s virtual
conference room.
A Collaboration Café provides a forum for structured networking
and breakout group collaborations on attendee-defined topics. A directory of participant
profiles, instant messaging and virtual meeting rooms encourage additional networking
and knowledge sharing. In addition, a variety of resources including speakers’
presentations, white papers, articles, and website links are available to all
participants through a searchable knowledgebase.
Why does the conference last for three weeks?
The conference lasts for three weeks to ensure that you have ample opportunity
to see all presentations, ask questions and obtain answers, and network with others.
Since most presentations, virtual conference rooms, and breakout group areas involve
asynchronous (over time) interactions, three weeks allows sufficient time for people
to login and participate in ways that fit their busy schedules.
Once the conference is over, will I have access
to the archives?
Yes. The conference site will remain open and accessible for 60 days following the end of the event.
Do firewalls pose any problems for participation?
Our online conference platform can be accessed through any firewall because it is html-based, doesn't require any proprietary downloads and only uses standard port 80. All presentations are delivered using Macromedia's Flash technology, which is also accessible through firewalls. If you're still concerned about firewall access, click here to perform a test. If you can view and hear the presentation, you'll be able to access the conference just fine. If you experience problems, contact us and we'll be glad to help you.
What are the technical requirements to participate?
To participate, all you need is an Internet connection (at least 56K recommended), web browser, and Macromedia's free Flash plug-in. If you're using Windows you'll need either Internet Explorer version 5 or later. Netscape Navigator version 6.2 or later, or Mozilla Firefox. If you're using a Mac, you'll need Safari, Netscape Navigator 6.2 or later, or Mozilla Firefox.
What do I do if conference emails are going to my spam folder?
To ensure you receive all announcements regarding the Creating Aging-Friendly Communities online conference please add sqldba@icohere.com to your email address book. This will help ensure your email system will accept messages from icohere.com, the conference software provider, and not classify them as junk mail. If you experience any problems receiving Creating Aging-Friendly Communities online conference communications, please contact iCohere support at conferences@icohere.com.
