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2020 Virtual Tech Prom Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Want to head back to the main Virtual Tech Prom event page? Right here.

General

Registered, but having difficulty logging into the event? If you’ve registered for tonight’s event, but are experiencing technical difficulties or cannot locate the event link, please email [email protected]. As of Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 5pm, registration for the 2020 Virtual Tech Prom is closed.

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How do I RSVP for this event? If you are a ticket holder or the primary Tech Prom point of contact for sponsors, you will receive an emailed invitation on Friday, August 21, 2020, with a link to RSVP for you and (where applicable) your guests. If you are having difficulty completing your online registration, please contact [email protected] for assistance. If you did not receive this email and believe you should have, please contact [email protected].

What are the funds from Tech Prom used for? The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is putting individual rights and democracy at the center of the digital revolution. We shape technology policy and architecture, empowering people to use technology for good while protecting against invasive, discriminatory, and exploitative uses. In the last six months, this work has expanded to include a thoughtful response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can learn more about our efforts and how we work with companies, government agencies, policymakers, civil society, and academics here. 100% of the proceeds from CDT’s annual Tech Prom goes to support these efforts.

I am not a Virtual Tech Prom Sponsor but would like to be. What are my options? This event is being hosted for our 2020 Tech Prom sponsors who committed prior to our cancelation on March 12, 2020, and chose not to request a refund. Currently, space is extremely limited, as we want to provide an intimate experience for our guests. Depending on response, we may have a small number of additional sponsorship slots available. You can review the original 2020 Tech Prom sponsorship packet here, and if you’d like to explore options, please direct inquiries to [email protected].

Can I still purchase an individual ticket to the 2020 Virtual Tech Prom?At this point, the event is exclusive to those who purchased tickets in advance of the cancelation date. A small handful of tickets may be available for purchase, depending upon the response of our confirmed sponsors and ticket holders.

Is my sponsorship or ticket tax-deductible? Because goods/services are not being offered as part of the 2020 Virtual Tech Prom, your sponsorship/ticket purchases may be 100% tax-deductible. Please consult with your tax professional for confirmation.

I purchased a ticket/sponsorship to the original 2020 Tech Prom but cannot or do not wish to participate. What are my options? We will miss you! We do understand that not everyone will see the same benefits from a virtual event, and will make every effort to accommodate your needs. To request information about donating back your sponsorship/ticket to further CDT’s mission or to request a refund, please contact Lee-Berkeley Shaw, Director of Development & External Affairs, at [email protected].

Will CDT provide a refund to a sponsor or ticket holder? In advance of September 15, 2020, Virtual Tech Prom, CDT is able to offer refunds for previously paid sponsorships and ticket purchases. If your refund request is not received prior to the execution of the Virtual Tech Prom event, CDT will handle requests on a case-by-case basis. To request a refund, please contact Lee-Berkeley Shaw, Director of Development & External Affairs, at [email protected].

What is the expected attendance? What is the size of each roundtable discussion? In order to assure an intimate experience where guests can truly mix and mingle, CDT is committed to limiting attendance to the 2020 Virtual Tech Prom. We expect approximately 300 guests in total, with no more than 30 guests per roundtable discussion.

What is the attire? That’s up to you! If you wish to don a prom dress or suit, we would love to see your inspired choices. That said, we know that remote work and evening events tend to be more casual, and encourage you to come as you are comfortable. This is a professional networking event, so do keep that in mind.

Sponsors

How do my sponsor benefits translate to this virtual format? CDT is making every effort to offer as many benefits as possible via this virtual format. All sponsors will receive brand recognition on CDT’s website, the event registration page, reminder emails, and during the Virtual Tech Prom event. Roundtable preferences will be given priority based on the sponsor level. Platinum and Gold sponsors will be acknowledged verbally during Virtual Tech Prom. We are exploring additional recognition methods and benefits. If you wish to discuss this further, please reach out to [email protected]

I am a sponsor who wishes to invite more than five (5) guests. What are my options? To maximize the guest experience, space is extremely limited for this event. As a general rule, we are not extending invitations beyond the allocated (5) guests. If you wish to discuss this further, please reach out to [email protected]

I am a sponsor who wishes to change my RSVPed guests. What do I do? A guest who is no longer able to attend must either cancel their own registration via the link provided in their confirmation email, or you or they may alert CDT by emailing [email protected]. If you wish to invite another guest, they will need to register via the event registration site and select their roundtable preferences. Final registrations must be received no later than September 14th for your guests to be admitted to the event platform.

Individuals

Are individual tickets transferable? If you purchased a ticket (or multiple tickets), you may transfer your ticket(s) to another guest. You must do so no later than September 14th to ensure that the transferee’s email is on file and they will be admitted to the event platform. Please inform CDT of your intent to do so at [email protected]. We will make necessary adjustments to allow for a successful registration process for your guest.

Registration Process

Can I register anonymously? While CDT is known for protecting privacy, in this case, your name and email are required. This is to ensure that only verified guests of CDT, sponsors, VIPs, or ticket holders enter the event, and to allow CDT to sort attendees into roundtable groups. Virtual Tech Prom is also a networking event – it’s much more enjoyable if everyone is identifiable! 

Does it matter which email I use for my registration? YES! The email address you use for registration will be the one that allows you to access the event platform, and to join the roundtable you selected during registration. Registering with one email address and attempting to join the event with another will result in delays while we update your registration in real time in the platform waiting room.

How can I learn more about the roundtables before making my selection? When registering, you can hover your cursor over the box to the right of the session title, and a pop-up box will appear with speaker information. The CDT 2020 Virtual Tech Prom Agenda will be updated as new speakers are announced, and we will send out reminders with new speakers in the weeks leading up to the event. You may change your roundtable selection after your initial registration, by clicking on the link in your confirmation email. You may change preferences up until September 14th, the last day to RSVP.

Can I adjust my registration? If you wish to change your roundtable selections after your initial registration, you can click the link MODIFY REGISTRATION at the bottom of your confirmation email. You may change preferences until September 14th, the last day to RSVP.

What do I do if I need to cancel? You can find the link to cancel your registration in your confirmation email, down at the bottom center. CDT will notify your sponsor host if applicable.

I have a question not covered in the FAQs. To whom may I direct my inquiry? All general inquiries about the 2020 Virtual Tech Prom may be directed to [email protected]. Questions about RSVPing should also be directed to [email protected]

If you have questions about payments or refunds, please direct those questions to [email protected]