February 9, 2023
Picture this: You arrive at a conference hall, excited to hear the speakers and get some great industry insights. In an instant, your enthusiasm is crushed as you’re forced to take a spot right up against the speaker’s plinth. An overcrowded venue – ah, a tragedy. The frustration is similar to the feeling of standing beside a blaring coffee machine at a much-anticipated concept launch. Don’t let your own audience suffer this way.
Below you’ll find a list of meeting venues, with details about their capabilities and limitations. I’ll give you some tips for each, and explain how to optimize the spaces to ensure your audience experiences something memorable.
Don’t have time to read the full blog? Skip to the venue type you’re most interested in:
Workspaces are not new to freelancers and small business owners. But in the world of full-time employees and start-ups, these locations are rather novel.
Co-working spaces are not only a great place to immerse yourself in peace and focus. They’re also a dynamic location for your next keynote presentation. Most, if not all, co-working centers offer private rooms with all the right technology to bring your presentation to life.
Also, read the “key points to look out for when choosing a conference center” as they relate to co-working spaces too.
Meeting 4 or fewer people? Opt for a coffee shop. Gathering around a little café table sets the perfect scene for an intimate but professional discussion. Being up close and personal with your audience helps you to gain their trust.
Pro tip: Mention to your waiter beforehand that you’ll be in an important meeting and suggest they only come to the table a few times For example, once when your clients have taken a seat and the next when you’ve closed your laptop to mark the end of the important section to the meeting.
Conference centers are a fool proof presentation venue. Generally speaking, these centers are best for large gatherings. However, some centers do have smaller rooms too.
Remember, first impressions are everything. Find a conference center that is in a neighborhood which gives off the vibe you want your clients to feel from you. For example, if you’re pitching to a Fortune 500 company, you should go for a high rise building near important landmarks.
Time and money is not always on our side. Using your home as a presentation space is a convenient option, especially if you want or have a global audience. And, if the pandemic has taught us anything, virtual presentations can be done… and can be done well.
Pro Tip: Wear glasses? See how expert, Gia Goodrich, suggests you light yourself – the key speaker – up properly [link].
Make yourself memorable by choosing a presentation venue that your audience wouldn’t even think of. These are best for once-off pitches or product launches where you want to gain people’s attention and get them to start talking and invest in your idea. For example:
So what are the key takeaways? Make sure the size of the meeting room is an appropriate size for your audience. And, ensure the surroundings match the concept you want to talk about. Most importantly, get all eyes on you – no external distractions!
I'm Marike
I provide professional presentation design services mainly for PowerPoint and Google Slides.
In this blog you'll find tips, tutorials and design inspiration to give you the confidence to use presentation tools effectively.
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