Presentation-Enhancing Technology
Every event’s success can be defined by the lasting positive impression it leaves with the attendees. Audiovisual technology has the ability to enhance this impression, as discussed in the previous posts in this series. One of the additional ways that meeting planners can leverage their relationship with the AV partner is by integrating them into designing the presentation formats, and utilizing the AV partner’s skillset and technologies in selecting the content delivery format. This will allow the presentation to be immersive and seamless, while giving the presenter extra tools to use in the presentation design, as well as giving the audience a breadth of options in interacting with the presentation content.
A presentation can have great content, but when delivered poorly, it can cause the audience to tune out and ignore the presenter, whose time and effort in creating the presentation is now wasted. Instead, the presenter can use the various tools an AV partner can provide to enhance their presentation, and in certain cases, the presenter and AV partner can design the presentation together to provide a highly integrated and immersive experience. Consider a presentation delivered at a lectern, with a presenter reading from notes and calling “next slide” to the technical team. If this same presenter is given a handheld or lavaliere microphone and a slide advancer, they are able to move around the presentation area, interacting dynamically with the content and drawing the audience’s attention. This change in presentation style is accomplished by the meeting planner having a conversation with the presenter to understand their needs, and communicating them to the AV partner so that elements such as a stage, correct type of microphone, slide advancer and comfort monitor are provided.
This concept can be taken further, wherein the presenter works with the AV partner to design the presentation space around the content. In such instances, several elements such as interactive projection or LED walls, tightly-cued lighting, and audio effects, can be added to a presentation to increase its dynamism. While such presentation methods are easily seen in modern award shows, they are also showcased in product launches for several top manufacturers and service providers (e.g. Tesla, Apple, etc.).
An additional benefit to the AV partner joining in the presentation-planning stage is that they are able to use their vast experience in coaching presenters on delivering their content effectively. This can be very helpful in the case of nervous or inexperienced presenters who may not be familiar with proper microphone technique, using supports such as comfort monitors, or knowing how to select colors that will show up well in projected images.
Selecting your Content Delivery Format
Modern presentations are typically more than just a lecture or address given from a fixed position on stage, and could involve the presenter actively engaging with the audience. Utilizing an AV partner’s various technologies could allow a meeting planner to look at several content delivery formats and select the ones that best suit the conference. For instance, a conference with access to a venue that cannot contain all of the attendees for a plenary or keynote session could use overflow spaces with active cameras, allowing the presenter to have a two-way conversation with the entire audience. This can be extended further through the use of webcasting solutions, allowing the event to draw in audiences from various regions, and allowing them to interact in real-time with the presenter (through chat, voice or video). This provides a tailored and far-reaching experience for the event.
Integrating a well-thought-out content delivery methodology also allows for the use of various aids such as transcription and translation technologies (through the use of headsets, live captioning on in-room and webcast screens, etc.), as well as providing aids for the differently-abled, such as providing assistive listening devices, curating a high-contrast visual feed, and several other options.
A further advantage to having a content delivery plan is being able to archive and distribute the recordings of the event in various ways. For instance, a presentation that has cameras present (for use in webcasting, or for image magnification or IMAG) can record the presenter on stage. This can be integrated with any slide shows shown when live, and provided as an archival recording for online distribution very shortly after the event. This can expand the impact of the event further than the live portion.
In Conclusion
As demonstrated through these posts, bringing the AV partner into the event and presentation-planning stage can help with transforming the event beyond a simple Powerpoint show delivered in a bland manner, to a highly dynamic presentation that will leave an impression that entices attendees to come to future events.
