Black Hat Briefings Speaker Orientation- Meeting Recording

## Overview This orientation session, led by organizers Christina and Jen Hughes, prepares speakers for the Black Hat Briefings held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The session outlines event logistics, technical requirements, conference app operations, on-site speaker procedures, venue navigation, and presentation best practices for briefings scheduled across Wednesday, August 6, and Thursday, August 7.

## Event App and Profile Configuration Speakers must log in to the "Black Hat Events" mobile application (available via app stores, QR code, or web browser) using the email address submitted during conference registration: * **Account Access**: Users can request a password reset via the "send me a magic link" button. * **Privacy Requirement**: Speakers are instructed to immediately edit their user profile and delete their personal home address, which is automatically transferred from registration and visible to anyone whose connection request is accepted. * **Networking & Visibility**: Speaker profiles support LinkedIn-style connection requests and meeting availability scheduling. Speakers must **not** toggle profile visibility to "off", as doing so hides their briefing session entirely from the app. Updates made to profiles in the app do not propagate to the Black Hat website and must be submitted to organizers manually. * **Session Recordings**: Recorded sessions become available in the mobile app one week after the conference and remain accessible to Briefings pass holders until the app closes on September 15.

## Presentation Guidelines and Audiovisual Logistics * **Slide Formatting & Branding**: Company logos are permitted strictly on the first content slide (the slide directly following the title slide) and the final slide. Logos are prohibited elsewhere because sessions are editorial rather than sponsored. Fonts must be sized large enough for attendees in the back of large briefing rooms. * **Session Structure**: Presentations should open with a roadmap, avoid direct reading from confidence monitors unless needed for language support, and conclude with "Black Hat Soundbites" (actionable key takeaways). * **A/V and Connectivity Rules**: * Rooms lack hardline internet connections. Presenters must embed videos/demos directly into presentations or carry them on a thumb drive rather than relying on on-site Wi-Fi or live web browsers. * Rooms feature lavalier microphones, laser pointers, and a floor confidence monitor displaying speaker notes or slides. Technicians are on-site to assist with adapters, display routing, and backup power cords. * **Day-of Timeline**: Presenters must report to the **Speaker Center (Surf BC on Level 2)** exactly **45 minutes** prior to their scheduled start time. A speaker liaison will verify their identity and escort them to the presentation room **20 minutes** prior to start for microphone fitting and A/V checks.

## Venue Logistics and Schedule * **Venue Layout (Mandalay Bay)**: * **Level 0 (North Convention Center / Basement)**: Briefings rooms and wrap rooms (designated post-session Q&A spaces for continuing discussions with attendees). * **Level 1**: Michelob Ultra Arena (Keynotes), Main Registration Desk, and the Business Hall (Arsenal, sponsor activities; no briefings). * **Level 2 (Main Level)**: Primary Briefings rooms (Oceanside A, B, C, D), Black Hat Boulevard, Dark Reading News Desk, Network Operations Center (NOC), Merchandise Store, Bookstore, Speaker Center (Surf BC), and Speaker Rehearsal Room (Surf A). * **Level 3**: Quiet level hosting additional Briefings rooms, Mother’s Room, Daycare (pre-registration required), and Prayer Room. * **Badge Pickup & Housing**: * Badges require a photo ID and the QR code from the registration confirmation email. Desks include the Main Registration Desk and a late-night Satellite Registration Desk in the Mandalay Bay lobby. DEF CON badges can be added via registration modification and picked up at a dedicated desk. * Black Hat covers one Mandalay Bay hotel room per speaking team for three nights (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), with confirmations distributed one week prior. * **Speaker Schedule & Spaces**: * **Rehearsal Room (Surf A)**: Bookable in 30-minute blocks via a booking link, with secondary reservations opening the Monday of the event. * **Speaker Reception**: Held Tuesday evening at 5:00 PM in the Level 3 window space. * **Briefing Blocks**: Wednesday, August 6 features 6 blocks (9 sessions per block), 2 keynotes, and 2 mainstage sessions. Thursday, August 7 features 5 blocks (9 sessions per block), 5 keynotes, and 2 mainstage sessions. Dedicated Policy track meetups occur both days at 10:20 AM.