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In this episode of the AP Now podcast, Mary Schaeffer discusses speaking at conferences, the opportunities it affords, and what turns audiences off. 

She bases her insights not only on personal experience but also on data from three years of conference data of over 300 sessions. She notes what types of sessions audiences attended but also what sessions they dislike.

She gives listeners five general types of talks they can give that will resonate with audiences. 

She shares special advice for service providers who have the unenviable task of creating a talk that will cause attendees to come to visit them in their booths in the exhibit hall – be it at a live session or online at a virtual event.

She closes by admonishing the audience not to waste the opportunity afforded them by speaking at a conference – be it to be recognized as a thought leader in the industry or getting listeners to come over to an exhibitor’s booth, either at live or virtual events.