Take The Stage, A New Perspective

Meeting planners have been taught to become experts on the guest experience.

Table settings, room decor, menus and entertainment often fill our attention as priorities but there is another perspective to consider, the presenter.

As meeting planners we often get the opportunity to experience “the guest experience” by sitting in the audience during events we produce or by attending other events, but many of us rarely get to experience the presenter’s perspective.

There are a number of physical factors to consider for the presenter.  How big is the stage, wireless mic versus lectern mic, will the lights be in their eyes, is the stage too tall or short for the audience size, is the edge of the stage clearly marked and/or is the screen in view or a reference monitor available?  Professional speakers will often address some of these issues in their “speaker requirements” but should as meeting planners we should address these factors anyway.

Although I have mostly addressed physical factors related to the presenter the results can be psychological leading to a more comfortable speaking environment.  The more comfortable the presenter, the better the speech, the better the guest’s experience.  There we go, it is full circle.  The presenters comfort directly effects the guest’s experience.

I am proposing Toastmasters a public speaking program to get some you reps behind the lectern so to speak.  Many of you might be cursing me right now, many in our industry see ourselves as “behind the scenes,” but I assure you Toastmasters is mostly painless and worth the effort.  If you are like most, public speaking is your greatest fear besides death, hence you might be saying “I  would rather die than try Toastmasters.”

As you consider Toastmasters you might think that the commitment might be too large just to gain some perspective but I assure you the benefits are numerous.

Public speaking is one of the best ways to grow your career and personal brand.  Imagine instead of attending a networking event hoping to meet a few people instead you are speaking to the group and the center of attention.  Public speaking brings credibility, esteem and exposure.  Even if you have no interest in public speaking, you may find yourself in a situation where you must make announcements or fill in for a late arriving speaker.  Don’t be that meek planner who slithers to the lectern to say, the meeting will be starting in five minutes, please take your seats.

Maybe with a little training you might just take the stage and never leave.

Visit Toastmasters.org to find a meeting near you.

If you would like to join me I belong to the DownTown Cincinnati Toastmasters Club that meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.  Email me meetingpointcincinnati@gmail.com for details.