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Setup Guidelines

Presentation Set-Up Guidelines

The following information provides guidelines regarding the set-up needs Sharon Ellison has when doing a keynote/presentation. These guidelines are based on her experience regarding the kind of set-up that facilitates her most dynamic presentation and the audiences' greatest level of engagement.

Chairs:

Number of chairs: Please do not have more chairs in the room than the expected number of attendees for the session. If extra chairs cannot be folded or removed, we would appreciate it if you would use a cord to block off the back rows.

Long Rectangular rooms: If the room is long and narrow, please put the chairs facing one of the long walls rather than one of the narrow walls. In this case having the chairs in a semi-circle with two isles is vital to the participants ability to see the stage and to the two-way interaction between Sharon and the audience.

Arrangement: Even when not in a long, narrow room, when convenient, Sharon prefers the chairs to be in a semi-circle with one or two isles as it is easier for people to see the stage and creates more sense of community within the room. (Picture)

Speaker Set-up:

Basics: A pitcher of ice water (and a glass, of course!)

Platform: Sharon prefers to have a raised platform with stairs in the front, so she can walk out into the audience, (unless it is a small audience).

Podium: She does not ever stand behind a podium

Microphone: Sharon prefers a hand held microphone because she likes the sound quality and consistency. She would like either a cordless microphone or one with a cord that is long enough to reach at least half-way down the aisle into the audience. She prefers not to use a lavalier microphone.

Overheads: Sharon often uses an overhead projector.

Thank you in advance for your attention to creating a room arrangement that will enhance the program. - Sharon

Meeting Planners' Questionnaire

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