7 Tips for Microphones and Meetings
Planning for and Using Microphones: 7 Tips Here are a few lessons learned about planning and using microphones at meetings and events, gleaned from my own experience and experiences from other meeting planners. I hope you find them useful! If you’re a planner, consider the Rule of 30: If your event: – involves more than about 30 people, – has a layout with more than about 30 feet between the speaker and the most distant audience member, or – will last more than about 30 minutes, then you’ll find some degree of voice amplification will help make your meeting or event more effective. When establishing the agenda, consider whether there will be people in the audience that will need to make statements, ask or answer questions, or be recognized. Does your speaker (or panel) have a question/answer session planned? If so, put at least one microphone on a stand in the audience, or have a runner with a handheld microphone ready to move around the audience. Some people feel resistance to using the microphones, but if the meeting is being recorded most of them will go ahead and use the mics. Encourage people to use the microphones so that their questions or comments will be on the recording. By default, try to get your speaker to wear a lapel mic. Infrequent speakers have a tendency to look away from a fixed lectern microphone to see slides while commenting. As they move their heads away, the sound level drops. Likewise, inexperienced or distracted speakers may unintentionally go off-mike while gesturing with the hand holding a handheld mic. Lapel mics help keep speakers consistent in both volume and distance away from the microphone. Experienced speakers almost always prefer the freedom of movement that comes with a wireless microphone, but note that they may wish to use a handheld wireless microphone if they intend to interact with individuals in the audience. The pros put fresh batteries in their equipment for every show for a reason: it’s worth it. Start with fresh batteries for each microphone or transmitter pack. Have a replacement set on hand for every microphone. It can save your meeting from disaster. If your group is in a room with large bare walls, or if you are only taking up half of a large room, consider adding some noise-dampening materials to the walls. Even pipe-and-drape can be effective. Closing off part of a room not only helps the event to feel better attended, it also helps the acoustics of the room and can require a lower gain on the microphones. This reduces noise and the risk of feedback. You can easily avoid the most common sources of feedback. First, performers should remember not to walk in front of a speaker with a live microphone. As a planner, you can help your platform presenters by getting to the venue early and putting down tape to establish a “no mic” zone. Your AV team may be able to tape off some areas in front of the speakers so that there is a visual reminder. Also – if you can’t get the presenter to wear a lapel mic, remind her to hold the microphone within 6 inches of her mouth and speak in a conversational tone. The audio technician will adjust the gain, but if the mic is too far away then the elevated gain makes unpleasant feedback more likely. (You can find more helpful conference audio tips here.)
An Amazing Event for Yelp.com
Buy Latisse (Bimatoprost) online at the guaranteed lowest price https://hello-eyelashes.com. Generic Latisse (also known as Bimatoprost) is an eye drop that is used for the purpose of growing longer and thicker eye lashes. It also helps in combating the issue of glaucoma that can lead to impairment of vision if it is not treated on time. Last month I was honored to perform for staff and users of Yelp.com in their first OTP (“Outside the Perimeter”) community event in metro-Atlanta. While the Atlanta Yelpers have had their own events, this was the first for the OTP community. The “Yelp OTP Deco-Dence Party” was a celebration of food, merriment, and 1930s & 40s style. I performed mobile close-up magic as well as serving as the closing act onstage. The event, as evidenced by the multiple reviews that have appeared online since then, was an unqualified success. In fact, you might even say it was an amazing event. But what made it amazing? Using my “Five Kinds of Amazing” model, let’s take a closer look. I think this event primarily leveraged the strengths of two categories. 1. SCIENCE/PROCESS: Relating to the unexpected result of a natural law or process; an unexpected moment of delight in an otherwise familiar process or environment. The event was held at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, a beautiful space where I’ve had the good fortune to perform on a few previous occasions. This venue has an intriguing history and is a good example of a rescued gem. Like Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox and other theatres large and small, this former movie house stood vacant and deteriorating until the community saved it. This location wasn’t new, and the renovations weren’t even all that recent. Many people were aware of it and even drive past it on a regular basis, but had never been inside. This is an example of something being hidden in plain sight. Yelp OTP amazed their audience by spotlighting the extraordinary hidden inside the ordinary. 2. CONTACT/COMMUNICATION: Relating to apparent mental interaction or influence; the efficient, effective, and excited sharing of information between people. Yelp, as they describe themselves, “is an online urban city guide that helps people find cool places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play, based on the informed opinions of a vibrant and active community of locals in the know.” It’s largely a review site, but the people who run and participate there (“Yelpers”) have a sense of community and connection that goes beyond other online review sites. As a result, they are prone to have parties. The Yelp audience is inter-connected both online and in real life, and Yelp uses that blend of communication to create demand, share information, and to prolong the effectiveness of the event after it was concluded. Before the event, RSVPs are flying in, along with comments about what is coming and who will be there. At the event, people are checking in, posting pictures, and connecting with new people. Professional photos are posted after the event, bringing everyone back to continue the conversation and share reviews. All of this communication pays big dividends in making the event take up more valuable real estate in the minds of their audience. Amazing! As for me, the event was a great opportunity to work in a beautiful setting here in my own part of town. I got to meet a lot of fun people, including the organizer Heidi P. She put together an outstanding event and I hope I get to work with her and the Yelp folks again soon. [gn_spacer size=”20″] Click here to enjoy more photos from the event. P.S. I have to share my favorite review – thanks to Lindy F. for your kind words! The most fun of the night had to be the entertainment. While I enjoyed the stage performance of the riotous Thimblerig Circus and the vocal stylings of Amy Baldwin in the lounge, my favorite and most entertaining of the night was Joe M. Turner, magician extraordinaire. I loved his stage performance, but found myself in his presence around the theatre all night being wowed by his masterful prestidigitation. Card tricks, dice tricks, coin tricks, the man does it all. As my friend stated, so matter-of-factly – this man has to perform at my wedding. ‘Nuff said. Again, this has been the most fun event to date for me.
“Now You See Me” Meeting Moments: Wow!
“Now You See Me” and Amazing Meeting Experiences: Here are 5 Budget-Conscious (and Completely Legal!) Ideas for Your Next Meeting or Corporate Event In Now You See Me, Louis Leterrier’s latest film, a team of four young illusionists use their talents to pull off a series of glamorous, incredible robberies—often in front of a large audience. Even if you haven’t seen the film, you’re probably familiar with the scene in the trailer in which the team showers their audience with money. Can you imagine doing something like that at your next conference? You’d be talked about for weeks, and you’d undoubtedly be filled to capacity at your next event! Realistically, most event planners don’t have the budget for dollar-bill confetti. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your next meeting an amazing experience for your attendees. Instead of showering your audience with cash, why not consider showering them with a few unique experiences instead? Five Easy “Wow!” Moments for Meetings Inside Information People are curious by nature, and even the most disengaged audience member may feel special if she’s given the inside scoop. Offer your audience a behind-the-scenes look at how the convention was planned or how the business is run. Provide a brief case study detailing how a recent decision was made, or have key members of the team speak about their daily activities. Honest, personal stories and a little vulnerability here can go a long way. Unexpected Fun Maintaining audience engagement can be difficult, especially after lunch or on the second or third day of a conference. A surprise addition of some type of activity, entertainment or celebrity can liven up an otherwise dull afternoon. Just make sure you know your audience and choose something that will appeal to them. It’s even better if you can find a speaker or entertainer who can create a wow-experience that is both entertaining AND relevant! (By the way, if you are really into the idea of magic and wow, I just happen to know someone who can help you with that immediately.) Found Time If you announced to your coffee-chugging attendees that activities would be starting one hour later tomorrow morning, do you think they would be pleased? What if you told them that this afternoon’s activity was designed so they could complete it at their own pace, then take the rest of the afternoon to explore the venue? Do you think they’d return the next day with renewed energy? Time is our most valuable resource, and people especially love found time. Just remember to plan your found time within the daily schedule, not on the outer edges of the schedule where it affects travel plans. Comfort Food As much as people love found time, they often love free food even more. So spring for an ice cream break! There are very few meetings that cannot be improved with an ice-cream sandwich one afternoon. Hidden Goodies By now, everyone’s familiar with the “hidden envelope under a seat” type of surprise give-away. This is great for the person who wins the $50 prize, but what about everyone else? Instead of – or in addition to – giving a big prize to a single person, consider other giveaways that include everyone. What if a QR code on the back of everyone’s badge led to a web page with giveaways or coupons for local eateries or coffee shops? You could also hide a link, QR code, or special communication somewhere in your registration materials. This hidden communication can lead to a scavenger hunt, a secret activity, or some other bonus reward for the curious and proactive. Don’t spoil the surprise by pointing out the giveaway, either — let the curious people find it and build excitement for you. When you’re planning an event, don’t just give your audience what they expect. Instead, give them something they secretly think they deserve, but never thought they could have. In so doing, you’ll be giving your audience an amazing meeting experience that truly goes above and beyond.
Planner Perils: The High Price of Cheap Entertainment
Dangerous Waters Ahead Corporate meeting and event planners navigate dangerous waters. Even in a great economy, event planners and producers are right to be cost-conscious. Experienced planners, though, know that there are always significant hidden costs and risks associated with putting low-fee, bargain-basement entertainers or speakers in front of their audience. It destroys the event’s effectiveness. It embarrasses the audience. It undermines the organization’s credibility. Sometimes it can even cost the planner his or her job or client. In the last decade and a half, I have helped numerous planners overcome “last year’s disaster” – cheesy, amateurish, or foul-mouthed ‘bargains’ that ultimately cost them much more than they thought they had saved. People who know that value considerations are at least as important as price concerns make great clients, but I always wish they could have avoided the painful lesson that got them there. Unfortunately, it took a bad experience — followed by a great experience with me! — for these good folks to learn what savvy consumers have known from time immemorial: You get what you pay for. Especially during tough times, I get calls for events where it is clear that the planner is dialing through a list of phone numbers looking for any breathing human who will stand on a stage in return for whatever budget remains after paying for the room, decor, and food… that is to say, for nearly nothing. In their quest to save money, these inexperienced planners are basing the single most focused and memorable part of the evening on ‘whomever we can find for what we have left.’ What They Remember Most Counts Most Your group will be talking to each other and interacting while having cocktails and dinner, but their full attention will be focused on the after-dinner performer for the better part of an hour. From the time the show starts until it ends, the quality of that performance doesn’t just affect the quality of the event – it is the quality of the event. That experience is what the audience really takes with them as their memory of the event – not the floral arrangement, gift bag, or logo-embossed desk accessory. Good or bad, that performance is going to be discussed more than any other element of the event. – If the food is mediocre and the entertainment is great, people will remember the entertainment. – If the decor is mediocre and the entertainment is great, people will remember the entertainment. – If the food is great, the decor is beautiful, the venue is breathtaking, and the entertainment is bad… people will remember the entertainment. No matter what else happens, people remember the entertainment because that is what holds their attention for the most time and with the most focus and intensity. The 10% Non-Solution Some time ago, I got a call from an association that was planning an annual gala in a beautiful, trendy hotel in Atlanta. This was a small group of only a few hundred people, but they were business professionals from around the region, celebrating an important annual event with a nice dinner. They also wanted a professional after-dinner show, but the fee they proposed as an entertainment budget was literally about one-tenth of a reasonable starting price for that service. Many performers and speakers would have quickly ended the conversation and moved on. I took a different approach, though, because I want this group to have a successful event whether I’m there or not. Here’s what I shared with them: As much as I’d love to get your organization’s business immediately, I’m more interested in helping you have a successful event. That way, I’ll have earned your trust, and you’ll know that I’ll be honest and professional with you when you call me in the future and you have a realistic budget to work with. So here’s what you need to know to have a successful gala event this year: Do not proceed with this plan. The nature of the venue you have chosen demands more than the lowest-common-denominator. If $X is your real budget, you should not hire an entertainer this year. Get extra drinks, or decor, or music. Show a fun video montage of people in your organization. But do not use that money to hire an entertainer. Any performer you could get for that fee is not a performer you want to put in front of an audience of professional adults at an annual gala, especially in such a nice venue. That substandard performance will only cloud your interest in having a true professional at a future event when you could have afforded it. I have no doubt that you can use a phone book or a search engine to find someone who will do this for you at that fee. When you find that person, run as fast as you can in the other direction. You will have found an inexperienced, sub-par performer who is desperate to put the words ‘corporate events’ on his or her web site or résumé. This is not what you want for your audience. Better to save the money than hire anyone for that amount. Hidden Costs and Unintended Consequences For professional audiences and events, cheap entertainment is an expensive, high-stakes wager on a losing proposition. The hidden costs – reduced effectiveness, diminished credibility, and lasting negative impact – far outweigh the tantalizing prospect of getting an imagined bargain on a speaker or entertainer. There are creative ways to achieve professional results on a wide range of budgets, and I love working with my clients to find those solutions. But you can always trust me to tell you where the real opportunities and the real limits are, and to be honest about what will work best for your event and your audience. Bottom line – the success of your meeting, conference, or gala is as important to me as it is to you. I look forward to working with you, whether
3 Key Dynamics of Strolling Magic
Adding Interactive Magic and Mentalism to Group Receptions and Networking Events Event planners and meeting planners face unusual challenges. One of these is the “networking event” or “welcome reception” – traditionally held on the first evening of a conference. Imagine that you’re planning a meeting or conference that is going to draw people from around the nation or even around the world. In order to have an effective conference, these people need to meet and interact with others, hopefully creating new relationships and deepening existing ones. So, on the first evening, after everyone has arrived from the airport and checked into the hotel, we put them all in a room, give them some drinks, and hope that a sense of community starts to form. Sometimes it happens by itself, at least in a limited fashion. Every group will include some individuals whose social skills and intuition will start to click and they’ll start to work the room. Generally speaking, though, most people find these events at least somewhat uncomfortable and awkward, and find it difficult to introduce themselves to new people or inject themselves into group conversations. Left to themselves, most attendees will cluster with people they already know, reducing the intended effectiveness of the event. These people often leave with the sense that the event was boring, pointless, and unsuccessful. Interactive Strolling Entertainment and Group Dynamics The addition of an interactive, mobile entertainer, particularly using magic and mentalism, changes the dynamic of these events in some important ways. We can look at those dynamics in three main ways: 1) how the performer relates to the participants, 2) how the participants relate to each other, and 3) how the event relates to the participants. Strolling Magic: The Performer-to-Participant Dynamic First, a skilled presenter of visual or psychological illusions is by definition giving people an unusual, out-of-the-ordinary experience. It is an automatic conversation starter, even among people who have never previously met. Just as shared experiences over time help to coalesce people into teams in the macro sense, these small shared experiences start to build community in the micro sense, facilitating interaction by giving the attendees an obvious and immediate topic on which to comment. As a performer, this “performer to participant” relationship is at the foundation of all my event goals – and it’s my challenge as an artist to deliver the highest quality, most entertaining illusions for the eyes and minds of the audience. Appealing, stunning, interactive mysteries create buzz and get people excited. Strolling Magic: The Participant-to-Participant Dynamic Second, an experienced professional with an understanding of communication and the dynamics of interpersonal interaction will proactively use these moments of attention and response to make introductions. This cannot always be scripted, nor should it be forced or wedged into every single situation; it is a social skill that performers develop after years of experience in real-world situations. When I perform in the mobile, “strolling” environment, one of the most important tasks I set for myself is to find out where people are from and to introduce them to people from other locations as the event proceeds. “Carl, what company, division or department are you with? Have you met Claire? She’s from Connecticut – and she has an impressive sense of intuition! Watch this…” In this way, the “participant to participant” relationship is enabled and enhanced by the experienced close-up entertainer. Strolling Magic: The Event-to-Participant Dynamic Finally, there are some events and situations where the entertainment may have the additional objective of communicating some specific messaging about the event or organization. For example, a conference may wish to create anticipation about a surprise announcement to happen later in the convention – an unexpected guest, product launch, or special event. Perhaps there is a specific goal that the conference is either setting or celebrating. Maybe there is a specific key word or important number that the organizers want people to buzz about after the event. Or maybe the message is nothing more than, “We really want you to have a great time at this conference!” My Goals for Strolling Magic and Mentalism Entertainment Whatever the reason or message, my goals for all performances of strolling magic and mentalism are: To work with the event organizers to understand the objective of the event and the message, if any. To draw upon my experience and expertise to support the objective and integrate the message with magic. To deliver that message in an entertaining, memorable way. “Message driven entertainment” takes many shapes, and I work with the conference planners to identify various solutions for each situation. The ability to design and deliver exciting and effective “event to participant” communications is a specialized skill that, in conjunction with a highly skilled performer, helps to ensure that the objectives for the event are achieved. Each of these three relationships – Performer-to Participant, Participant-to-Participant, and Event-to-Participant – plays a significant role in the effectiveness of a group event or reception. Many performers and entertainers in this industry have a pretty firm grasp on how to relate to some audiences, such as children or casual gatherings. That is great for some events! The fact remains, though, that not all performers are equally experienced in relating to corporate groups. Once the element of corporate identity is introduced, then the entertainment stops being just a part of the event – it is now in some sense a reflection of the brand. Performers who have real-world experience interacting with corporate groups, speaking with executives and managers, leading teams, and representing brands have a value that goes beyond just the tricks. What sets some performers apart then is not just mastery of the performance, but the ability to take it to the next level – and the next! – to ensure that the entertainment supports the overall objectives and messaging of the conference or the event, to the appropriate degree. Are you working on a meeting or conference that includes a group reception? Call me, and
Meeting and Event Planner Personality Types: The Expanders
This week we continue our exploration of meeting and event planner personality types. Last week we discussed the Explorers. Next up: The Expanders! Expanders like to ask the question, “Where else can I use this idea?” Another possibility is that a client has worked with a magician or mentalist on a previous event, but the client is only familiar with that single aspect of how mystery entertainment can be integrated into multiple parts of an event. The previous entertainer may have delivered a quality show for one venue, but did not indicate a level of versatility or creativity in providing a broader range of experiences. These planners are “Expanders,” ready to expand their understanding of what magic performance can bring to their events. Expanders are often enthusiastic about magic, and are excited to hear different ways that they can create exciting, high-impact experiences for their audiences. These clients are anxious to hear success stories about how a different approach worked at other events, and if you have a creative twist on that idea for them, so much the better! The risk, of course, is that given the open mind of an Expander, the over-enthusiastic provider will conclude that he has a hammer and the event is comprised of nothing but nails. Sometimes the Expander gets in on this game and also wants to add magic to every single element of the event. Experienced planners and providers will resist this temptation. Less is often more. Next week: Exorcists!
Meeting and Event Planner Personality Types: The Explorers
Event Planner Personality Types: The Explorers When meeting and event planners are considering magical entertainment or magic-enhanced keynote speaking as a possible addition to their event, they are often venturing into unfamiliar territory. Though every situation is different, my experience is that most event or meeting planners who are considering a magical speaker or entertainer fall into one of the following three categories: Explorers, Expanders, and Exorcists. Each group is asking a different kind of question. Explorers like to ask the question, “What new thing can I find?” The first group of clients are those who have never have worked with a professional magical entertainer in any venue. Many times, these people have either devised a magic theme themselves, or they have been presented with an event theme (“The Magic of…” or “Vegas Night,” etc.) decided upon by their team or another event planner. In the case of un-themed events or events without a specific magic theme, the use of a magician, mentalist, or magical keynote speaker has usually been recommended by another planner. (And if you ever wanted a short summary of my business model, that’s it.) I find that these Explorers – companies, groups, and planners – are usually wide open on the creative side of applying magic to multiple events during a conference, though almost always with a careful eye to budget constraints. These clients value experience, creativity, and cost-consciousness. It’s a new world for them, and as a performer I appreciate the trust that these clients place in me to be their guide and navigator. Being the initial experience for an “Explorer” is also a big responsibility, because the result of this experience will transform this client into one of the other two types – either an Expander or an Exorcist. It’s important to dream big and deliver for these Explorers, but it’s equally important to be realistic about what you can really do well and where your expertise lies. Stretch your skills, not the truth. Next week: The Expanders!
Turner Magic & Keynotes Named Best of Atlanta 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Turner Magic & Keynotes Receives 2012 Best of Atlanta Award Atlanta Award Program Honors the Achievement ATLANTA July 30, 2012 — Turner Magic & Keynotes has been selected for the 2012 Best of Atlanta Award in the Party Planning & Event Consultants category by the Atlanta Award Program. Each year, the Atlanta Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Atlanta area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 Atlanta Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Atlanta Award Program and data provided by third parties. About Atlanta Award Program The Atlanta Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Atlanta area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value. The Atlanta Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy. SOURCE: Atlanta Award Program CONTACT: Atlanta Award Program Email: PublicRelations@awardprogram.org URL: https://www.awardprogram.org ###
Credibility Counts – Interview on Georgia Business Directory Network
Anyone can claim anything. How are you evaluating the credibility of the speakers or entertainers you book for your conferences and events?
