Embedding Multiple Views and Creating Panel-Like Pages in Quick Tabs

In looking for a way to create quick tab content that emulated panels-like content, I had first created a node and using the php input filter, embedded views using views_embed_view(). This however was a major performance concern, as the php input filter is not cached, and stores the php in the database, using eval() to process it on node load.
A better solution is to create a custom block using hook_block, and store the block content in an include file. You can then set these blocks as your Quick Tab content.

Step 1

We need to add our block(s) to a module. I just added them to my site's custom module, mysite_custom. In your module, use the following code:

function mysite_custom_block($op = 'list', $delta = 0, $edit = array()) {
  if ($op == 'list') {
    $blocks[0] = array(
      'info' => t('My Quicktab'),
      'cache' => BLOCK_CACHE_GLOBAL, // You may want to change this setting. See http://api.drupal.org
    );
    return $blocks;
  }
  else if ($op == 'view') {
    switch($delta) {
      case 0:
        require_once('mysite_custom.qtpages.inc');
        $block = array(
          'subject' => 'My Quicktab',
          'content' => mysite_custom_qtabs_1(),
        );
        break;
    }
    return $block;
  }
}

Make sure you change "mysite_custom" to whatever your module is called. We're going to put our block content in an include file for optimum performance.

Step 2

Create a file called "mysite_custom.qtpages.inc"
In this file, here's the code to display our content.

function mysite_custom_qtabs_1() {
  $output = 
  '<p>Some custom content goes here.</p>
  <div class="column-1">
    <h2>News</h2>' .
    views_embed_view('homepage_today', 'block_1') .          
  '</div>
  <div class="column-2">
    <h2>Events</h2>' .
    views_embed_view('homepage_events', 'block_1') .          
  '</div>';
  return $output;
}  

This is of course just an example layout.

Step 3

In your Quick Tab settings, choose the block "My Quicktab" we created and you're off to the races.

I have three Quick Tabs using blocks all generated this way, and it is smoking fast and drastically reduces resource consumption.
Good luck!