Speaker Tips & Resources

Content

Note: Due to the many different tracks available, this isn’t a one size fits all recommendation but hopefully it will help guide you. Keep your learning objectives top of mind. Your session’s top three takeaways (which you would have provided when you pitched your session mid-2025), should always drive the content.

As you build your session, ask yourself these questions:

• What are the key reasons why caterers and/or event professionals should consider the ideas, strategies, and/or tools presented?
• How can your audience successfully implement them in their own businesses?
• What are the potential challenges or pitfalls of these ideas, strategies, and/or tools, and how can your audience overcome these challenges?
• What are some real-life examples in practice?
• Where can attendees access the tools and/or resources discussed in your session?
• What’s your call to action?
• What are the key points you want attendees to remember?

Consider your audience

• Don’t make it a sales pitch for yourself or your company, unless it is a sponsored session. However, those attending your session are there for practical, applicable strategies, trends, and insights and will be unsatisfied (and may even walk out) if it comes across as a sales pitch. If you talk too much about your company or yourself it will inevitably be regarded as boasting rather than problem solving.
• Start your session quickly (especially if presenting on your own). The audience does not need three minutes on who you are and why you are qualified to present the session. Sample greeting: “Hi, it’s great to be here, thank you for attending today. I’m Name Name and excited to talk to you today about xxx, so let’s get started!” Then, ask a question, such as, “Do you know how much your hard costs fluctuated this week?” or start with a personal anecdote or, “It was March 2020, and I was on a plane home from Las Vegas…

Resources to explore

• From Harvard Business Review: 3 Ways to Keep Your Audience Focused During a Presentation
• From Harvard Business Review: How to Give a Killer Presentation
• From Simon Sinek’s Optimism Company: Start Any Presentation with Confidence: Simon’s Expert Tips and Tricks

Audience Handouts & Resources

Attendees value digital handouts and other materials that support their educational experience and help them implement learnings in real life. We encourage you to share these handouts with attendees before and during your session via the mobile app.

Please upload digital copies of handouts and supporting materials along with your session presentation into the dropbox portal. In addition to these materials, your final presentation will be shared with attendees (in PDF format) after the show.

Handouts and resources could include:

• Templates
• Worksheets
• Checklists
• Content related giveaways
• Links to other resources / websites relevant to the content
• Links to videos. Videos must be a web link (i.e., YouTube or Vimeo)

Audience Engagement

Consider incorporating audience engagement activities into your session, including (but not limited to) Q&A. Engagement activities are a powerful way to elevate your content and strengthen participation & learning by empowering audiences to interact in real-time during your session.

Other audience engagement activities could include:

• Group brainstorming
• Individual assessments
• Small group discussions
• Polling

Presentation Design

• Utilize Catersource + The Special Event’s PowerPoint template. This template was designed to optimize readability of content on presentation screens and provide a consistent brand throughout the event.
• Use high-quality graphics and clean, simple design elements. Visually appealing and easy-to-read presentations are more engaging and impactful.
• Keep text to a minimum. Less is often more.
• Videos can be a powerful visual aid, but we recommend using them sparingly. Please see the Presentation Guidelines for more information about supported video formats.
• Note: presentations will be available to attendees after the event in PDF format. Please keep in mind that animations and videos may not transfer accurately to PDF format.

On Stage

Whether you’re a veteran speaker or this is your first time, public speaking can often cause some anxiety. The key to calming your nerves and making it the best experience possible for you and your audience is preparation and practice.

• Speak clearly and loudly, and not too quickly. Speaking at a slower pace makes the information easier to digest.
• Do not read the slide’s text word for word. Slides should support the speaker’s narrative.
• Practice, practice, practice! We also recommend timing yourself to ensure you do not exceed your allotted time.
• We suggest business casual attire, but it’s not required. Solid colors are recommended. Audiences (and our photographers) do like snappy wardrobes! Look at the "Fit Check" page in your Speaker Guide (page 30) for more information.

TEDX speaker tips for you:

• Be passionate about your subject
• Start with a staggering fact
• Use nice visuals
• Convince your audience to take action
• Use storytelling and body language

Best Practices for Session Recordings

All sessions except for hands-on will be audio and/or video recorded. Recordings will be available to All Access Pass registrants (included in the cost of their badge), and available to all others for purchase.

• Speak clearly and slowly, no need to rush through anything.
• If using a handheld microphone, keep the mic approximately 3 inches away from your face.
• If wearing a lavalier, do not move or fidget with the mic during the session. An A/V technician will be available to help if you experience any technical issues.
• Keep background noise to a minimum, such as shuffling papers or drinking from a water bottle.
• Your equipment works best—and records best—when you are on stage. If you choose to move off the stage and into the audience, audio recording will not be captured well.