Speaker Helpdesk

Room Set-up and Audio Visuals

• You may choose to speak either from a lectern with a fixed microphone or from the conference floor with a lapel or roving microphone. We will be providing a screen, computer and data projector. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible.
• We would recommend that you use a PC-based presention, such as PowerPoint, to give the conference a sense of continuity, and to keep logistics running more smoothly.
• We will load your presentation (sent to us in advance) on to the laptop computer before the start of the conference, but please also bring your presentation with you to the conference on CD or memory stick as back-up, just in case there are any technical problems on the day.
• The PowerPoint presentation should not exceed 5 MB
• There will be opportunities to check your slides before the session starts. A technician will be present in the conference hall at all times, so please do not hesitate to request their assistance at any time.
• At the end of each session, the Chairman will open the floor for questions. An Adam Smith staff member will take a microphone around the room for questions, and delegates are asked to give their name and organisation before proceeding with the questions. The session's panel of speakers should answer questions from the top table.

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Content of your Speech

• Delegates particularly like to hear case-studies and hard information drawn from day-to-day operations, combined with practical advice; they like to feel they have gained relevant, practical advice and information, or an inside look at what takes place in your company.
• Please note that audiences dislike sales-oriented presentations, and in consideration of your audience, we recommend that speeches should steer clear of trying to market or sell your company.
• Please try not to read directly from your papers. It is important to maintain eye contact with your audience as much as possible. This increases the impact of your talk.

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Timing

• The most common problem that occurs for speakers giving presentations of this length is that they run out of time before they run out of material! May we suggest that you choose a few key points to address and then expand on them, as it is easy to overestimate the amount of material you can cover in your allotted time.
• Please ensure that you keep your presentation to time!

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Sound

• Microphones will be set up for you. The technicians will control the audio levels and adjust them to suit your voice. All you have to do is speak normally, slowly and clearly!
• When we are providing simultaneous interpretation, it is particularly important that you do not speak too quickly, because then the interpreters find it difficult to keep up, and the sense of your presentation could get lost in translation.

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Visual Aid

Powerpoint Slides:

• Do not exceed 40 characters in a full width line
• Please ensure that the font size is at least 30 point
• Do not exceed 10 horizontal lines of text
• Leave at least one full letter height between lines
• Please do not prepare too many slides as you may run out of time to present all of them.

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Graphics:

• Complex and overcrowded information make material difficult to read and understand – so do not try to get all your information on a single visual. If delegates can't understand your message instantly, they will lose interest.
• Show people trends rather than tables of detailed figures.
• Avoid complex and detailed text on visuals. Use key words and phrases only.

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Pictures:

• Pictures add interest to slide presentations and capture the attention of the audience, giving them a clearer understanding of the subject matter.
• Show people trends rather than tables of detailed figures.
• Avoid complex and detailed text on visuals. Use key words and phrases only.

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Finally

Please do enjoy yourself!

The Adam Smith Conferences staff are there to help you enjoy your experience, so if there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask.

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