| Conferences can be long and drawn out. They | | | | they do for fun. If they're in terrific shape, |
| can also be overwhelming because of the amount | | | | compliment them and ask how they do it? The |
| of information that is presented in such a short | | | | answers will surprise you!!! From sky diving, scuba |
| time. At conventions where industry experts | | | | diving, roller blading and kite surfing to wind surfing |
| present, the presentations are highly professional, | | | | and being wine enthusiasts, these activities bring a |
| packed with rich information, research and show | | | | personality to the speakers that may not be |
| hard core results. Most of the speakers use | | | | apparent from the platform. After reading a |
| PowerPoint, with video spliced into the speeches | | | | shortened version of their bio, share |
| which breaks up the slides of data. | | | | extemporaneously what you learned about the |
| Because each presentation is so thought | | | | speakers in an enthusiastic and fun way. |
| provoking and jammed pack full of information, | | | | 5. Ask the question, "What is one thing that no |
| there seems to be a need to process the | | | | one here would ever know about you or guess |
| information after each speech. Our brains can only | | | | about you? The speaker at that point will check |
| hold so much information before they start to | | | | into his or her long term memory bank and come |
| tune out and think about all of the items sitting on | | | | up with some really interesting stories that they |
| our desks at home. | | | | love to tell!!! One high profile speaker shared how |
| Recently, I was the Master of Ceremonies at the | | | | he was arrested at age 12 after being harassed |
| national Emarketing Association Convention in San | | | | by other children on his paper route for cussing at |
| Francisco. There were about 6-7 speakers per | | | | the children. Another conservative looking speaker |
| day on the highest level of marketing. This made | | | | shared that he was in a rock band in college which |
| the conference challenging as well as highly | | | | was really bad but started getting better after |
| innovative. They brought results, tips and the tried | | | | 5-6 beers! These stories allowed the audience to |
| and true secrets that have worked for their high | | | | take a peek at the inner lives of these speakers |
| level companies and clients. | | | | to see the real fun of behind the professional |
| Because I got to sit in and listen to the speeches, | | | | image the person. |
| I was swimming with new and exciting information | | | | 6. Share a bit about yourself throughout the |
| and constantly stimulated at the many ideas that | | | | conference. The audience needs to feel |
| I developed. Additionally, I met and get to know | | | | comfortable with you as well, so offering advice |
| so many dedicated marketing professionals; I | | | | from your own careers, offer up famous quotes, |
| nearly decided to switch careers, based on their | | | | or stories from your own personal life. This brings |
| passion for their jobs. | | | | more intimacy and liveliness to the audience. Make |
| As the role of Emcee, my job was to give | | | | sure that the stories are short and sweet and |
| breaks to the participants and to introduce the | | | | have a punch. And if you find that a speaker |
| speakers. I always love this role because it's an | | | | needs extra time getting set up, go up to |
| opportunity to be playful with people and to bring | | | | individual participants and ask them what they are |
| some lightness to break up the serious topics that | | | | getting out of the conference so far. Sharing the |
| are being discussed. Because this role is often | | | | limelight and engaging participants is a way to stall |
| given to professionals in their own field, I came up | | | | for time. Make sure you ask questions of people |
| with a list of suggestions for others who are also | | | | who look open to answering questions. It can be |
| engaged in this position as facilitator for a meeting | | | | embarrassing for a participant who is intrinsically |
| or break out sessions, Master of Ceremonies or | | | | shy and who clams up in front of audiences. |
| Emcee for any event they host. | | | | 7. In between the speakers, ask the participants |
| 1. In the beginning, welcome the participants with | | | | to stand up, cross the isle and meet someone |
| enthusiasm and a smile and offer an overview of | | | | new each time. Then ask them to share what |
| the next few days. Share with them some of the | | | | they are taking away or enjoyed from the |
| exciting highlights that will happen and share with | | | | previous speaker. This helps all of the participants |
| them some ideas for activities on their time off. | | | | to get to know lots of people in the room besides |
| 2. Stay in close communication with the event | | | | just those sitting in their immediate area. |
| manager or whoever is putting the conference | | | | Many of us will be cast in the role of Emcee or |
| together. This person has specific announcements | | | | Master of Ceremonies at some point in our |
| that come up, and has a certain idea of how | | | | careers. This is the time to allow others to shine, |
| information is presented. | | | | to bring out their uniqueness from the stage so |
| 3. Study up on the town where you're staying to | | | | the audience can sense how likable they are in |
| offer highlights of the city. Introduce yourself to | | | | "real life". It's a role that takes a bit of |
| the GM of the hotel and the concierge so you | | | | preparation, the ability to promote others, and to |
| have their name and can rattle their names off to | | | | act enthusiastic even when you're exhausted |
| the participants in the event. Having a good | | | | from long travel or from late hours. But it's the |
| concierge can save your participants time | | | | one role that can bring fun to any event that |
| researching area restaurants if they have free | | | | might otherwise be on the serious side, and it's |
| time for dining out. And sharing their name will add | | | | the role that can get everyone talking, sharing |
| one more thing that allows the participants to feel | | | | laughing and engaging with one another when they |
| comfortable in their temporary "home". | | | | might normally stay to themselves. Getting to |
| 4. Sit down with each of the speakers before | | | | know others on a fun level ultimately makes the |
| they go up on stage. Ask them the basic | | | | conference memorable and a success for the |
| questions such as where they're from and how | | | | participants. |
| they got in their careers, but also ask them what | | | | |