Speaker's Briefing

Capture your audience with a pithy toast instead of a drawn-out speech
There are many fairly formal, serious events where what you say is important, but it doesn’t have to be a full-length speech. The luncheon or dinner that winds up an extensive program or major social occasion is a case in point. And the best substitute for a long-winded, formal address is often a clever, pithy toast.

Making a good first impression with a quality lectern
Everyone knows how important it is to make a good first impression. But did you know that sometimes that first impression begins before you even enter the room? An impressive speaking “space” with the right lighting, props and background sets the stage for your presentation before your audience sets eyes on you.

Give the best introduction every time
Like opening the door to a house, introducing a speaker doesn’t take long—but, properly done, it can help set the right mood and tone for the main event. Bear this in mind the next time you’re called on to introduce a guest speaker, and follow these five easy rules for success:

Your audio-visual road map to survival
Audio/visual equipment breakdowns are most likely to occur when you are a long way from home, usually in a strange hotel or convention center.

Grammatically speaking: Appraise vs. apprise
When dealing with the spoken word, clear pronunciation is essential. Too many words that sound nearly the same have very different meanings.