Step 1: Log In

Before we can even think about starting our first conference, we need to obtain a username and password to access the system. Whether you signed up for the Free Trial, a paid subscription, or are a MaestroConference employee, you should have received an email with a link to create an account. Click the link, fill in all of your details, and you're good to go!

Simply go to http://myaccount.maestroconference.com and enter in your username and password. If you'd like, this would be the perfect time to check out the support site and read up on any questions you might have. Simply click the Support button on the menu bar.

Step 2: Create Conference

If you're confident that you don't need support, then click the Conferences button on the menu bar. Click the "Create Conference" button on the right to begin conference creation.

Enter the conference name and the email that you want to be contacted at (for the call report). Also, select if you want the call recorded. You can change the default selection in your account settings. Enter in the time and estimated number of callers, then click "Create this Conference."

Step 3: Add Callers

Now comes the important part: It's time to add callers and generate PINS. There are two ways to do this. The first (and easiest) is to simply email everyone the Self-Registration link. This will save you the effort of manually filling out names and email addresses, and registrants will receive an automatic email from us with their call-in info.

If that seems too easy for you, you can always opt for the Herculean effort of manually generating and entering PINs. This allows you to guarantee that all of your participants will at least be registered. You can then export the list of callers (as a tab-delineated list) and send a batch email to them with their PINs. Also, you will soon be able to simply import a spreadsheet of names and email addresses, which will get PINs automatically.

Step 4: Conduct!

At the time of the call, simply click the Conduct button and you'll launch the Conductor Interface. As callers dial in, they will appear in the center column (called the Caller Panel). Summary information is on the left, with the chat box under it. Detailed information for selected caller(s) is on the right.

Step 5: Mic's and Hands

In your account settings, you can specify how you want callers to enter the conference, based on a few simple microphone rules. Normally, Presenters will enter with a mic, so the entire room can hear them speak. Assistants and Participants will enter unmuted but without a mic (local), so they won't be heard until they are broken up into groups. These are displayed in the Entry Settings, which pops up automatically when you conduct the conference. If the conference is active (people calling in), you can click "Enter the Call" and exit the Entry Settings dialog box.

NOTE: Callers can mute and unmute themselves by pressing "6" on their telephone keypad.

Callers can "raise their hands" by pressing the numbers 1-5 keys on their telephone keypads. These can be used for a multitude of purposes, from taking straw polls ("rate our service between 1 and 4") to asking yes/no questions.

Step 6: Breakout Groups

Breakout groups are one of our best features! They allow the call to be broken up into small groups, who can interact on a more personal level. Let's say, for instance, that you want to divide the room into groups of two for a partner activity. Click the Create button under "Breakouts" in the Summary Panel, and check the "Participants" box. Choose to divide the room into groups of two, and click Commit.

For more information about breakout groups, please see the Technical Manual, at http://myaccount.maestroconference.com/support/technical_manual.

Step 7: Ending the Conference

To end a conference, simply click the "End Call" button. Be warned, though, that this will eject all callers still connected, with a "you have been kicked from this conference" message. The call report and recording will be available less than two hours after the call ends.