Time zones and webinars

What is a time zone?

A time zone is a region on Earth's surface with a uniform standard time. Using time zones makes it easy to coordinate transportation, communications, and various global events.

How do time zones work?

Time zones are measured relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), previously known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Each time zone is identified by its offset from UTC.

For example:

GMT+2 means local time is 2 hours ahead of UTC.
GMT+3 means local time is 3 hours ahead of UTC.

The difference between GMT+2 and GMT+3 is exactly one hour.

Key differences between time zones

👉 Difference in local time

Different time zones display different local times simultaneously. For instance, if it's 12:00 PM in GMT+2, it's already 1:00 PM in GMT+3.

👉 Daylight Saving Time (DST)

Many countries adjust clocks forward in spring and backward in autumn, which can cause confusion.

👉 Regional specifics

A single country can span multiple time zones (e.g., the United States, Russia, Australia).

Why choosing the correct time zone is crucial for webinars

MyOwnConference is an online webinar platform with audiences and speakers often located across multiple time zones.

Incorrectly setting time zones can result in issues such as:

👉 Participant loss

Users may miss webinars due to confusion over timing.

👉 Speaker scheduling issues

Presenters may become confused, late, or even miss their sessions.

👉 Technical glitches

Automated reminders and notifications may be sent at incorrect times.

How to avoid time zone issues

Clearly specify the webinar time and always include the time zone (e.g., 4:00 PM GMT+2).

Regularly verify and update your time zone settings in your MyOwnConference user account.

Be especially attentive during periods when countries switch to or from Daylight Saving Time.

How to set your time zone

Go to your profile by clicking your name in the lower-left corner:



In the "Profile" tab, find the "Time zone" setting:



Select your time zone from the dropdown menu. Changes will apply automatically, and all scheduled and future webinars will be adjusted to match the selected time zone.

Note: If webinar registration confirmation emails have already been sent, the time indicated in those emails may become incorrect after changing the time zone.

Conclusion

Selecting and correctly specifying your webinar's time zone is critical for successfully organizing events. It prevents confusion, improves attendance, and ensures a smooth experience for participants.

Updated on: 07/03/2025