Help

Some useful guides

This page provides useful guides and tips for using the Hopin platform for accessing our live events and information on troubleshooting any issues you may have.

Accessing the Event on Hopin
Top Tips for Event Attendees
Tech Quick Reference Guide

Accessing the Event on Hopin

First of all, you’ll need to for a Hopin account. Hopin is the virtual event platform we’ll be using to deliver the event. If you follow the link to the UK House platform you will be prompted to register for a Hopin account if you don’t already have one, then you’ll be able to register for your UK House ticket too.

When you’ve registered for a UK House ticket you’ll receive updates from the platform and our mailing list. Sometimes the emails from the platform end up in your spam folder, so keep an eye out for them.

You’ll be able to return and visit the event page whenever you wish, we’d recommend taking a couple of minutes to set up your profile, it makes it much easier to connect with other delegates once the event is live on the 16th March.

Creating your own profile is a great way for other delegates to be able to get in touch. You can say Hello and introduce yourself in the event wide chat box before the event starts.

Make sure you use Google Chrome to get the best experience of the event platform.

Access Requirements

Please also be aware that there are a few key details that if you follow, you’ll enjoy UK House much more:

Google Chrome is recommended over other browsers, otherwise you may have problems viewing/hearing our speakers.
Whichever browser you use, make sure your browser is up to date.
Where possible, use a Laptop or Desktop to view the sessions. Access via tablets and phones does not guarantee full functionality.
When you enter a session, you may see a red pop-up in the top right corner (it flashes up quite quickly!), you’ll need to accept this to be able to hear and see everyone.
If you get a dip in your connection, some of the speaker videos may disappear, or the sound might go off. In almost all cases, refreshing the page (and keeping an eye out for the red pop-up) will fix this.
It’s worth noting that streaming live events can be quite intensive for your computer, so consider closing other power or bandwidth-hungry applications whilst you’re attending UK House.

Create Your Own Profile

When you first arrive on the platform, you’ll be asked to create a profile. It’s definitely worth taking a couple of minutes to do this to get the most out of your time at UK House, just fill in the fields when prompted.

Make sure you upload a picture too! It’ll make you more memorable to the other delegates, and if you need to connect with someone, your contact details will already be stored, so it will be much easier to make connections.

Top Tips for Event Attendees

Here are some helpful tips from Hopin to help maximise your experience as an event attendee.

Set Up Your Profile

As we’ve said above, this would be our top tip to getting the most out of this year’s all virtual UK House. It’s so simple to set up, just add an image and your details as prompted when you register for the UK House.

Having your own profile will mean a more engaging, interactive and valuable experience – you can swap details with other delegates in just one click, as well as better represent yourself and the organisation or project you are joining from.

Use An Appropriate Browser And Kit

Google Chrome is recommended over other browsers, otherwise you may have problems viewing/hearing our speakers.
Whichever browser you use, make sure your browser is up to date.
Where possible, use a Laptop or Desktop to view the sessions. Access via tablets and phones does not guarantee full functionality.
When you enter a session, you may see a red pop-up in the top right corner (it flashes up quite quickly!), you’ll need to accept this to be able to hear and see everyone.
If you get a dip in your connection, some of the speaker videos may disappear, or the sound might go off. In almost all cases, refreshing the page (and keeping an eye out for the red pop-up) will fix this.
It’s worth noting that streaming live events can be quite intensive for your computer, so consider closing other power or bandwidth-hungry applications whilst you’re attending UK House.

Use The Test Tool To Check Your Connection

Hopin have also created a handy tool that uses the same technology as their platform allowing you to set up your camera and microphone if you’d like to check your setup before chatting in the lounges or taking part in a Q&A.
Hopin Test Tool

Familiarise Yourself With The Platform

You’ll be able to access the live event from 16th March, giving you time to have a browse around the different areas, and familiarise yourself with the platform.

When the event starts, and you enter UK House (on Hopin), you’ll arrive in the Reception area. In the reception you can see the schedule for the event, which you can filter by area. You can navigate the platform using the icons on the left side of the screen.

The Different Event Areas

UK House Stage:

In the Stages area you’ll find the UK House main stage live everyday. We’ll be broadcasting all sorts of industry shaping interviews, keynotes and panels.

Spaces:

Our Spaces area hosts a packed schedule of individually programmed sessions. These will include showcases, conversations, and Q&A’s following panel discussions from the Stages area. You’ll also find our UK House Lounge, providing open access spaces where you can drop in, hang out and have a more leisurely conversation with other delegates. It’s also a useful area for delegates to check your camera and microphone are working.

Speed Networking:

Just one of the ways you can meet your fellow delegates! Our Networking area is a fun way to meet other conference attendees. When you join the Networking session you’ll be matched with a fellow attendees for a quick three minute chat, after which you’ll be able to swap contact details, arrange to follow up in the UK House Lounge or via a 1-2-1 video call if you want to carry on chatting. There are more details at the end of the email for maximising your networking experience.

Showcases:

Our booths in the showcase are virtual exhibition stands. Throughout the event they’ll be programmed with content provided by our Makers, Researchers and Supporters. Use this area to have a look at the work that everyone’s doing, and reach out to connect with them.

Other ways to Connect:

We know that one of the key things missing from a virtual event experience is the natural networking that happens between sessions, the post-session discussions, and those end of day drinks where we can catch up on the activities of the day! So we have a few suggestions for meeting delegates and making new connections.

Speed Networking

This feature is built into the Hopin profile, and a really fun way to meet conference delegates that you might not meet otherwise. When you enter the Speed-Networking area, you’ll be asked if you’re ‘Ready’ to network, and once you agree you’ll be introduced to other attendees at random for a quick three-minute chat. After this you have the option to share details with the person you’ve just met. The Speed-Networking will be scheduled for a set time each day, so grab a drink and give it a whirl.

Direct Messages

The Direct Message feature is built into the chat function, you’ll see it as soon as you enter the event. It’s a great way to connect with someone you may have seen present or speak during a session, made some interesting comments in the public chat box, or perhaps you’ve spotted a familiar name whilst scrolling the event attendees. You can send a Direct Message by searching for a name in the ‘People’ tab, and then clicking on their name. From here, you can send a message or invite them to a video call.

1:2:1 Video Calls

The Direct Message feature also offers a Video Call function. You can invite an event attendee to a private video call, and once in there you can then invite three other people (up to 5 in total). This is a great way to create your own breakout room, or post-session conversation.

Schedule a Private Meeting

When you click on an individual’s profile, alongside sending a direct message, or inviting to a 1:2:1 call, you can also now request a meeting. The great thing about this feature, particularly with the UK House reaching delegates across the world, is that the platform and therefore the meeting capability, is open 24hrs a day.

Tech Quick Reference Guide

Troubleshooting Tips

Join from a compatible browser:

Hopin works best on Chrome and Firefox. Pro tip: Make sure your browser is up to date.

Check your internet speed and network

We recommend a minimum of 5mbps download and 2mbps upload. Ideally, we like to see 30mbps download and 10mbps upload or higher for the best quality – test your speed here.
If you are using a VPN (network) or device provided by your employer, ensure your device can access and share your camera and microphone on.
Ensure you can access the following website domains to use Hopin. You may have to check with your IT department if using a device or network provided by your employer.

For more information about Hopin’s network connectivity settings and setting VPN access, click here. Some antivirus software can block your device from sharing your camera and microphone on Hopin.

Restart your computer

Before joining the event. This ensures that there are no other video applications holding onto audio or video for any reason.

Please use headphones when participating on-screen

This will help eliminate echo and feedback.

Mac Audio/Video Troubleshooting

If you lose sound or can’t share your audio/video or screen share, try these steps (in order):

Refresh your browser
Quit and relaunch your browser
Clear your cache or join from an incognito or private browser window
Ensure your browser’s permissions are granted to have access to your camera and microphone (in Chrome, type into the URL bar: chrome://settings/content)
Ensure your browser has permission to record your screen (open your computer’s System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Screen Recording > find your browser in the list and check the box). Then quit and relaunch your browser
Restart your computer
Join the event in a different browser (e.g.: switch from Chrome to Firefox)

PC Audio/Video Troubleshooting