Convo Blog

Hello Sacramento!

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:14:03 -0400

We’re excited to announce another call center, this time in Roseville, in the suburbs of Sacramento, California.

Convo is 100% deaf-owned so we naturally put special emphasis on interpreter qualifications and customer experience. “This area has a tremendous amount of skilled and experienced VRS interpreters and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring them into the Convo family,” said Robin Horwitz, our CEO.

Our staff and partners in Seattle, WA; Mobile, AL; and San Ramon, CA warmly welcome the Roseville folks to Convo!

We recently equipped and furnished a suite in this building, and the call center area is now 100% operational!

We know Video Interpreter Jeri loves her job.

Video Interpreters Jake and Kristi are telling DeMille they’re ready for their close-up.

Convo staff Jeri & her daughter, Jewel, Ruby, Janet and...

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:45:55 -0400

Convo staff Jeri & her daughter, Jewel, Ruby, Janet and Azora spelling out “C-O-N-V-O ILY” at CODA Conference in Fremont, CA, July 22-25, 2010.

Our commitment to best service possible

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:26:00 -0400

The VRS industry is going through an awesome period of change with mobile devices being introduced into the market. Before we know it, we’re going to make calls from anywhere in the country to meet our needs, etc.

From day one, Convo’s always created a vision and goal of providing the best service possible. We’ve achieved that for the past several months and we’re very grateful for customers like you who appreciate the quality of our service.

I wanted to jot down some of the thoughts I have on the changes.

First there’s connectivity. As a deaf person, I want to be able to connect to a VI immediately without all the complications within the system. We are hopeful that will be the case. Also you want to connect to a video interpreter immediately just like you would with VP or iChat. We want the procedure to be simple. You shouldn’t wait for a VI as well.

Secondly, there’s user experience. Convo team has had always placed a huge value on user experience. The idea of connecting to a VI or another deaf person should be very simple. Apple has accomplished that with FaceTime. We believe we can accomplish the same thing but this will take time. We’ve chosen the route of developing something that offers the BEST user experience.

That’s our promise to you. We are coming out with products and service - the ones you will be satisfied. We just don’t want to come out with a rushed product and end up with disappointed customers.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Robin Horwitz
CEO

Dressed for Vegas

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:24:09 -0400

If you’re in Vegas, you might be one of the lucky winners of our daily drawing…

A sneak preview of our upcoming ad …. for something new...

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:12:20 -0400

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

A sneak preview of our upcoming ad …. for something new that is coming.

Summertime Photos @ HQ

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:27:13 -0400

Summertime brings the best out of California so we snapped photos of the building at where we have our office. We have only a tiny part of the 2nd floor but the whole scenery is ours to share!

This is in San Ramon and you can see more photos at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/convorelay

Now you know why we love coming to work! :)

Taking on Mount Rainier

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:34:10 -0400

Earlier in the month, Convo sponsored an expedition to the summit of Mount Rainier, the highest peak in beautiful Washington State at more than 14,000 feet high. Taking on this challenge were Justin “Bucky” Buckhold and Ryan Commerson, both deaf activists.

Just recently they returned home in Colorado and were able to email their pictures. They also ASL’ed with us via video and were wearing their green Convo t-shirts when they shared their story…

On June 5, Bucky and Ryan Commerson met with a ranger at the White River station of Mount Rainier and were promptly informed of a massive avalanche on Ingraham Glacier that morning.

“Four climbers were buried and only three got out. The remaining climber’s body had yet been found,” said Bucky. The ranger warned Bucky and Ryan of high avalanche danger all around the mountain above 10,000 feet. After discussion, they decided to go up by the way of Paradise trail for Camp Muir — a different route — and consult with a ranger stationed there.

However, after six hours of howling winds, torrents of sleet and a total white out, they pitched their tent to guard against hypothermia. They finally thawed after an hour.

Next morning they awoke to gorgeous blue skies and discovered that Camp Muir was only 200 yards away so they trekked up without their backpacks and talked with the ranger.

“The ranger said that nobody had reached the top in the past week; it was basically a death wish to make the summit push to the top.” Disappointed, Bucky and Ryan decided to go down so they can live to climb another day.

After returning to civilization, Bucky and Ryan gave a two-hour presentation at ADWAS. About 20 people showed up and asked plenty of questions.

Said Marilyn Smith, Executive Director of ADWAS, “Bucky and Ryan captivated the Seattle audience as they talked about their Mt. Rainier adventure. Both are great presenters and rarely have I seen such passion and zest for life. We’re already talking about how to get them back to Seattle!”

Immediately after Mt Rainier, they went to Washington School for the Deaf in Vancouver on June 10 and presented to two age groups: elementary/middle school and high school. The following day they presented at Baker Middle School in Tacoma and then at Edmonds-Woodway High School north of Seattle.

Bucky and Ryan plan to eventually ascend Mt. Everest in Nepal, the world’s highest peak. Said Bucky, “While Mount Rainier is not considered as a prominent international peak, it is a large stepping stone for this team because Mount Rainier requires all kinds of technical knowledge necessary for bigger international peaks. We are grateful Convo has helped us gain this experience.”

Convo salutes them for their perseverance and hopes Bucky and Ryan will soon tackle Mt. Rainier anew and continue to inspire others with their can-do attitude.

Father's Day 2010

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:25:58 -0400

This Sunday don’t give your father a hangman’s noose. That’s what neckties are. Leaving Paris in 1817, I voyaged across the Atlantic to the U.S. wearing a wickedly cool ascot.

So I tell you this: Your father has plenty of neckties but no ascot. Get him one. Also treat him to a steak dinner (after all, that’s why he wears a belt — a tie for the waist!).

Convo with your Dad with plans for this Father’s Day. Also call your grandpa to tell him he’s invited!

Merci!

Have you seen Wayne Betts?!

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:35:00 -0400

We’re immeasurably proud to have VP of Creative Marketing Wayne Betts, Jr. on the team! He’s been busy, with his name going around from coast to coast.

He was the director of cinematography behind the explosively popular Gallaudet University video ad that has gone viral with more than 37,000 views on YouTube:

In May he was a featured speaker at TEDxISLAY in Austin, Texas, and received high praise for his talk about “Deaf Lens.” In July he is reprising this speech at the National Association of the Deaf’s 50th Conference in Philadelphia.

You can always find him at youtube.com/convorelay narrating our vlogs, especially his two easy-to-understand vlogs on FCC issues. Click below to see his videos:

But right now, where is Wayne? He is taking a break in Ontario, Canada, spending time with his wife Dana and her family. Shortly afterwards, he will travel to New York City to begin shooting a major video ad series for Convo.

Afterwards you can catch him in Philadelphia in early July at the NAD Conference or two weeks later in Las Vegas at DeafNation World Expo. Simply drop by the Convo booth!

Born Wayne Gardner Betts, Junior, he grew up in Massachusetts and attended American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. After graduating, he spent a stint at Rochester Institute of Technology before deciding his heart was in telling stories through film.

“I set out to experiment and redefine expectations for deaf films, and to broaden the narrative of deaf life. I’m still on that journey, personally, professionally and artistically, and I don’t expect to stop anytime soon because there are so many stories to tell and new techniques to try.”

He has since gone on to work on the production of more than 10 deaf films, such as “Vital Signs,” “Resonare” and “My Deaf Family.” At Convo he is slowly realizing his dream of having his own studio for future projects. “My heart tells me everyday I am a filmmaker.”

However, many people know him best as Hans Sign, a super-Deaf man whose ASL is made over-the-top with the help of Apple’s Photo Booth software.

“Hans, for me, came out of nowhere. At first he was just this really loud personality that I had fun with. Later on, as I spent more time performing as Hans, I came to realize that he was a composite of the strongest deaf personality traits in all the people I’ve known. He is at the same time both a cherished caricature and a champion, if that is possible.”

We at Convo are very lucky to have Wayne’s talents and congratulate him on all his recent personal success!

Convo and iPhone 4

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:27:00 -0400

So the new iPhone is coming out in less than three weeks. What does this mean for you?

Truly amazing, exciting stuff! You’ll convo in newer ways…

iPhone as your WiFi hotspot!

At an airport or a coffeehouse that doesn’t have an open Wi-Fi connection? We’ve been there before… with the new operating system for the iPhone, however, you can connect your laptop to your iPhone then use ConvoIM on iChat.

This is known as tethering and applies to both iPhone 4 (new!) and the current iPhone 3G.

However, check data plans — they’re bound to change a bit.

VRS: On your iPhone?

And this is the one we’ve all been waiting for: video calling capability! It will be possible to video chat between two iPhone 4 devices.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/facetime.html

You can guess what’s going to happen in our lab. :)

In meanwhile, let us know if you get your hands on an iPhone 4. We’d love to know what you think of its tethering capability for ConvoIM!

More Convo Fans! Send us your picture at expert@convorelay.com!

Tue, 11 May 2010 20:01:00 -0400

Jules Dameron

Shari McMachon

More Convo Fans!

Send us your picture at expert@convorelay.com!

Meet Our Youngest Convo Fans!

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:39:00 -0400

Meet Leia and her cat, Mia from Frederick, MD.

Another Convo Fan!

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:49:00 -0400

A Californian, Larry Mosquera calls himself a “Super Convo Tree”!

Thanks Larry for being our fan!

Come to our Mac Club!

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:14:00 -0400

Want to learn more about Mac? Our Convo Expert Matt Klusza is hosting another Mac Club event at Borders on Wednesday, April 28th in Frederick, MD. Matt will cover some tips and tricks for your Mac along with some socialization. Bring your laptop if you need help on certain issues and Matt will be thrilled to be your assistance.

Time: 7pm to 9pm

Borders
5533 Urbana Pike
Frederick, MD 21704

Store locator/details:
http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_253

Come and join!

Bay Area deaf community swarms Convo HQ

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:17:30 -0400

More than 100 people, some stampeding from as far as Sacramento. Hearty chatting and socialization between community folks and Convo staff. Personalized tours led by Convo staff. Delicious food whipped up by Kurt “IRISH Chef” Ramborger.

So went the evening of Friday, April 16, when Convo officially opened its San Ramon office doors to the community for a fun evening of introductions. “We loved having face-to-face time with everyone from the community,” said Chad Taylor, one of the founders of Convo. “Loyal customers who came were able to connect Convo with our faces and names while fresh faces asked us a lot of great questions and left as Convo converts. Everyone had a blast.”

Enjoy the following pictures!

Convo's Open House!

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:38:00 -0400

To Friends of Convo!

Convo is hosting an open house at its new call center in San Ramon.

We invite you to convo with us and enjoy delicious appetizers, sweets and drinks made by our own deaf local Kurt “IRISH Chef” Ramborger.

2603 Camino Ramon (2nd Floor)
San Ramon, CA 94583

Friday, April 16
7:00PM - 9:00PM

* Please RSVP at https://spreadsheets.google.com/a/convorelay.com/viewform?formkey=dEZYWkF1WEVtSnltYV9MRjNVTUJwOVE6MA

See you there!

Convo Opposes AB 2072

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:17:00 -0400

We are concerned about AB 2072, a bill that is currently making its way through the California legislature. This bill proposes to update the current Early Hearing and Detection mandate with language that would make audiologists the only referral for information.

We know audiologists work hard and are sincere in their efforts to help Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. Those audiologists and many other speech-language pathologists who truly understand the Deaf community would never support a measure that excludes the Deaf consumer’s perspective.

Communicate to the California state lawmakers that this bill is a step backward. Not because audiologists are included, but because Deaf consumers are excluded.

Learn more and take action. The California state lawmakers sponsoring this bill may not realize that they have overlooked us — the Deaf consumers. Help us and Ella Mae educate them.

Mac Club Guest: Ed Bosson

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:02:00 -0400

On Wednesday, April 7th, Ed Bosson will be attending the Mac Club hosted by Convo Expert Matt Klusza.

Ed has converted to Mac just a year ago when Convo was formed and he’s looking forward to learning few more Mac tricks from Matt.

For those who are in the DC area, Ed is definitely looking forward to meeting you and if you have any questions about VRS, regulatory stuff or how he came up with the idea of VRS, he’ll be available to answer them.

The Mac Club is held at:

Borders Bookstore
600 14th St. NW, #100
Washington, DC 20005

http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_412

7pm to 9pm (9pm is closing time)

Mac Club in DC by Matt Klusza

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:16:02 -0400

Convo Expert Matt Klusza is hosting a Mac Club, sponsored by Convo, on Wednesday, April 7th in Washington, DC. Matt will cover some tips and tricks for your Mac along with some socialization. Bring your laptop if you need help on certain issues and Matt will be thrilled to fix for you.

Wednesday, April 7th

Borders Bookstore
600 14th St. NW, #100
Washington, DC 20005

http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_412

7pm to 9pm (9pm is closing time)

VRS: Celebrating 10 Years!

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:57:00 -0400

VRS CELEBRATED 10 YEARS in March 2010 and enjoyed a very quiet, very humble birthday for a service that has unimaginably transformed our community and revolutionized our communications.

Read more…