Asking an after dinner speaker to make a presentation can improve on almost any event. Event planners love to use the services of a good after dinner speaker because they really help to end events on a positive, high note which results in a more memorable event for everyone concerned.
Events at which an after dinner speaker often features vary in genre from charity fundraisers to sports dinners to corporate gatherings but in all of these cases the aim of the speaker is the same. The after dinner speaker aims to ensure the event is memorable and finishes on a positive note. Some are better than others. There are some tell tale signs of a good after dinner speaker and it is a good idea to consider these when hiring one.
Even in circumstances where the event might have an informational or educational tone, the after dinner speaker will avoid lecturing their audience and making them bored. Instead, experience will have taught the after dinner speaker to inform audiences using humour and light-heartedness. A presentation might inspire thought or motivate but must never bore.
Good after dinner speakers will understand how to make the most out of the layout and acoustics of the room in which they’ll be presenting. For example, having a clear view of the speaker is likely to result in a more interested audience. As a result, many event organisers opt for cabaret-style seating.
Catching and keeping the audience’s attention and interest is vital to any good after dinner speaker. Using anything from visual aids to real-life anecdotes can help here. it is also important that an audience gets the impression that the presentation is relevant to them. A good after dinner speaker will always ensure that their presentation is up to date by relating the topic to contemporary issues.
Probably most important in the skills of an after dinner speaker is their ability always to end on a positive note. Even in the cases where subject matter of the presentation may have been less than happy, it is very important that there is a positive note to end on. Allowing the audience to leave on a positive note is what will help them remember your event in a positive way, making the difference between a success and a flop.
