The conference season is in full swing with more face to face events since the pandemic. In the wake of the recent Conservative Party conference, where numerous people were caught napping, our team provides insight on how your conference speakers and their content can be more compelling, writes Chris Slade; journalist, former BBC News presenter and media/presentation trainer
Your conference – usual borefest?
There we all are, sitting in a conference. Talk, slide, talk, slide, talk, …….doze, doze, doze, check phone...Familiar?
So what goes wrong?
“We have a conference every year. We have to. It’s always a bit long but people like to get together afterwards.”
Seriously? Have you thought about why it’s “a bit long”? It’s time to ask some key questions, create a proper structure and keep people engaged and awake!
Firstly, those pesky slides, jam-packed with so much writing.
And just reading directly from them. You may as well cut the cost of the conference and just send them the slides.
Surely we can we do this better?
Yes, you've booked a slick conference events company, to make your event zing like The Brits, with music, lights, announcers and a great stage. But if your speakers are flat, boring and lacking editorial direction, the after drinks at the rear bar will be the most memorable bit.
Let’s make the speakers have a proper role and story that fits your strategic business agenda.
“But we give everyone 20 minutes each….”
Why? You need a format, a plan.
Better, a focused narrative structure, conversational scripting, confident relaxed delivery, engaging content and visuals. It also helps to have a point or a call to action in each talk, which inspires your team.
A short technical/presenter rehearsal in the build up to a conference makes all the difference. Organising some professional help coaching your speakers in presentation skills, will instil confidence, pace and provide impact.
What about audience interactivity, polls, pertinent and searching questions, video inserts and some serious calls to action at the end?
How about a campaign of re-enforcement through a follow-up using internal comms channels?
Better? Yes.
Editorially strong and relevant? Yes.
Part of a bigger picture? Of course.
Boring? Not now.
For more information on how we can support your team with presentation training and scoping the editorial elements of your conference, see our courses page or email: office@mentortraining.org.uk
Chris Slade, Mentor Media Training
Christopher Slade has spent over 30 years in the industry as a BBC presenter and independent producer/director. He has designed and applied internal and external campaigns for clients such as Volkswagen UK, Barclays Corporate, Heineken, Audi, Home Office, European Parliament, Tom Daley, British Heart Foundation etc. Christopher's creativity and knowledge of ‘the language of television’ will lift your productions out of the ordinary.
