My first speaking engagement was a lunch event. Roasted chicken, green beans and chocolate cake were my greatest competition for the audience’s attention. That was a challenge. The shape of the room required me to stand in a doorway, the same door the waiter used to enter and exit.
The audience is having lunch. I’m doing “dosey doe” with the waiter and delivering my speech with a sound track of clinking glasses and ices cubes.
TALK TIP: When you are invited to speak for an organization, make a point to visit the site if it’s local or have the host send you photos and/or dimensions of the space you are presenting. By being proactive, you’ll be ready to focus and deliver your speech even with chocolate cake as your competition.