This year is anything but business as usual. From the trend that showed in a brief survey in my last newsletter, most of us are vaccinated and ready to get out there.
But it’s officially summer. Traditionally, business tends to accommodate summer by holding fewer events, conferences, trainings, meetings, etc. Speakers often already have their fall talks scheduled, so they get to enjoy all that summer has to offer too.
The thing is, most speakers have had a “lighter summer schedule” since March of 2020. Now, with in-person stages opening up, we’re chomping at the bit to get back on stage and share our valuable content… even if it is summer. It feels like a hurry up and wait scenario though. We’re stuck in a kind of speaker “no man’s” land where the only thing we can do is to be ready and able to pivot at a moment’s notice.
From an Event Planner’s Perspective, it’s about trying to figure out what the road ahead will look like before booking speakers for events. Frankly, planners have a mixed bag of options and possibilities to consider. There’s no going back to the way things used to be though, which means virtual events are here to stay. With virtual events there are no worries about traveling or weather. Virtual events can be a more cost-effective option/solution too.
The problem for event planners is that there’s pressure to get folks back to meeting face to face—because in business, there aren’t many acceptable substitutes for shaking someone’s hand and making eye contact.
From A Speaker’s Perspective, this time is about making sure we’re prepared to say yes to a variety of speaking opportunities regardless of the event’s logistics. Moving forward, there’s no doubt that certain groups will continue meeting virtually (like my Saturday Morning Speaker Mastermind), so we should all be good to go with virtual events because that’s all that’s been available to us up to now anyway.
If you’re preparing for in-person events though, have you stopped to think about how the search for our new normal might affect your presentation? Remember that even if some activities are okay from the event’s point of view, people in your audience might not have the same comfort level for things like working with the person next to them or within in small groups. If activities like that are a part of your talk, you’ll want to take a look at them.
Have you considered the challenges you might have with your after the podium routine? Even if masks aren’t required, when you get up close and personal with folks are you ready to shake hands? Have you figured out how to collect people’s names and contact information without passing around a clipboard? Will you be comfortable with a line of people waiting to talk to you… including the people who aren’t wearing a mask?
What about hybrid speaking opportunities? Are you ready to try something new? A few weeks back, I spoke at an event where the group met in person while I presented virtually. I’ll be honest, it was a challenge. I was trying to lead an interactive discussion with a group of people who were socially distanced from one another. It was hard to hear everyone’s comments. When I broke them up into groups for an activity, I didn’t have the ability to move from group to group or to hear their discussions and offer my thoughts like I can on Zoom.
Still, I’m glad for the experience with a different format. I learned a lot from it—which is kind of the way we have to look at what’s ahead. As I said in my last newsletter, most of us are looking forward to getting back to in-person meetings, events, etc…. including event planners. Right now, we all just need to practice a little patience as things start to settle around our next new normal. Gratefully, we all have summer to enjoy in the meantime!
‘Til we speak again,
~Beth
Are You Ready for Normal?
