A conference speaking opportunity raises the stakes on a typical presentation. The audience is bigger. The speaker may not know as much about them compared with a smaller group and when speaking to their peers, there is an added element of risk for a speaker. Added together, there’s quite a lot at stake for a speaker when they accept a speaking engagement.
That said, the opportunity conference speaking offers is also magnified. Turning in a good performance is the start. But there is much more to be gained alongside it. Conference speaking is as much about representing as it is presenting. A speaker represents themselves, their organisation and also the association organising the event.
Who should attend
- Inexperienced speakers to speak with confidence
- Experienced speakers who want to raise their game
Course outline
- Introductions and goals: Get clear on what you want to leave the session with.
- The four Ps: Preparation, Practise, Performance, Personal Confidence.
- Preparation: The three sides of effective planning and four storylines to work with.
- Practise: Practise that gets results, including working to time and taking questions.
- Performance: What to nurture and what to avoid around body language and voice.
- Personal confidence: Boost confidence levels, before, during and after your slot.
- Practical matters 1: What to do in the run up to the speaking opportunity.
- Practical matters 2: The key choices that make your presentation effective.
- Action plan and next steps: what will you do next to take this forward?
Learning outcomes
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High value for in-house training
- Relevant and specific to associations: with the trainers' deep knowledge of associations and experience in training association executives
- Flexible: delivered onsite or remotely via video platform, timed and tailored to fit your schedule
- Tailored content: the tutor will shape the session to your requirements
- Practical and interactive: with practical and actionable advice, space for sharing, discussion and questions, plus time to create an action plan to make the most of the takeaways
- Supported: all participants receive a welcome pack with the agenda, a biography of the trainer and suggested preparation and post-training reading and resources
About the Trainer
Our training partner for these is John Scarrott, a former membership director, and an ICF Credentialed Coach. He combines his knowledge of associations, speaking and chairing experience and 10 years training and coaching.
John Scarrott is an AAE training and coaching partner. He has been working with AAE members since 2014. Prior to focusing on training and coaching John spent seven years as a Membership Director. He has spoken in the UK, Europe, Australia and India.
John has trained Speakers, Facilitators and Chairs for associations including, among others, the AAE, World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, the Association of the European Self-Care Industry, British Veterinary Nursing Association, Institute of Physicsand the British Parking Association.
John has received excellent feedback from his work, including:
Following your training session on conference speaking and chairing, our Forum went very well. We noticed that all the speakers, many of whom were first times, and moderators have done truly well and with increased confidence this time around.
Alex Filicevas, Executive Director, World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition
And from others:
“Very engaging, I like how John practiced his techniques and provided examples.”
“Shifted my thinking about the role of a Chair”
“Very useful tips and well-structured in terms of Chairing and Facilitation”
“I booked on to the Public Speaking Masterclass run by John Scarrott. I followed his plan. And it worked!”