MMCS Events 6 Speaker Golden Rules of a conference that sells out

Article Information

  • Posted By : Marina Vatav
  • Posted On : Aug 29, 2014
  • Views : 30496
  • Likes : 1
  • Category : Planning
  • Description :

    How often did you sit in conference sessions that are boring? How many of them turned out to be time wasters? What about the feeling you get when a speaker is trying to sell you something?

    Last year, after spending a lot of money to attend an energy conference, only to discover that it was long and boring, Jack Doueck, Principal at Advanced Energy Capital, decided to organize a different kind of conference—one that provides a lot of value, that is interactive, that doesn't take much time, and is affordable.


Overview

  • Photo Courtesy: Advanced Energy Capital

    How often did you sit in conference sessions that are boring? How many of them turned out to be time wasters? What about the feeling you get when a speaker is trying to sell you something?

    Last year, after spending a lot of money to attend an energy conference, only to discover that it was long and boring, Jack Doueck, Principal at Advanced Energy Capital, decided to organize a different kind of conference—one that provides a lot of value, that is interactive, that doesn't take much time, and is affordable.

    The first edition of Energy Marketing Conference that took place in February 2014 sold out way before the event. The second edition that kicks off on September 8th was sold out as well. Organizers claim there are a few reasons for that: affordable price - the tickets are under $200; convenient location in the center of New York City; it's a one full-day event unlike other conferences that take 2-3 days; and most importantly, it focuses on great content and top speakers.

    To ensure great content and preparation, Jack has conference calls with panelists and moderators before the event to introduce them to one another and establish presentation topics.

    Jack cares deeply about making his conferences interesting, interactive, and valuable. He shared his 6 speaker golden rules:

    1. No Sales while on stage.

    At the Energy Marketing Conference speakers are not allowed to sell, or sell themselves, while they are on stage.

    "I've been to so many of these conferences to know what makes the conference boring when there's someone up there on stage trying to sell his wares. This is not interesting, and I didn't come to hear what he does and how great he is," says Jack Doueck.

    2. No PowerPoint presentations.

    "How many of us spent our time and money at conferences sitting through long, drawn out presentations that could have been sent to us via email? The next time you attend a conference, watch the # of people who don't attend the sessions, but stay in the hall outside talking to people or on their phones. This number will be in direct proportion to the number of Powerpoint presentations on display." says Jack Doueck.

    "The reason our conferences sell out (and the reason our panels are standing-room only) is partly because people know they will network with industry leaders, meet new people, hear first-hand their thoughts and ideas and engage with people. Panels should be just that: a meeting of the minds and a sharing of ideas. Presentations stop all that and spoon-feed pre-planned material to the audience. Our attendees don't want to sit through that."

    3. Don't be wordy.

    "You have to answer panel questions within 30 seconds to 2 minutes. If you go over 2 minutes something is wrong because this is not about speeches, this is about engagement and interactivity."

    4. Don't repeat what other speakers already said.

    "If someone else answers the question on the panel and you agree, you don't have to say anything more. You don't have to restate what someone else already said,” noted Jack.

    5. Engage the audience.

    "You have to ask questions and you have to get questions from the audience. Plan in advance the questions that you are going to be asking people.”

    6. No reading from papers.

    "No reading. Period. If you want to have people read something, hand it out. Avoid reading your bio at all cost. Don't waste people's time. There's nothing worse than that."

    The NYC Energy Marketing Conference for Retailers will take place on September 8th in New York. It will be the place to meet 40 top panelists, exhibitors, and more than 350 attendees.