Disclaimer: Part of my job requires me to educate at industry functions. In a past life, I was a contract player at an improv/dinner theater in Amsterdam and did corporate entertainment across northern Europe. I’m not proud to say that I have spoken/joked through 300-some-odd meal functions. I even have performed in “evenings of new works” at a Starbucks and a live music venue (although I plead the ignorance of youth).
So before you read any further, realize I’m pretty biased. But here are the three reasons why I’m convinced having anyone speak while people are trying to eat is a terrible idea.
No. 1: People attend meetings and conferences for networking and education.
So don’t screw that up.
I understand why you may be tempted to blend the two. But you’re not going to create some kind of magical meetings Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup by doing so. Instead, you’re going prevent your attendees from enjoying either option.
Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Change doesn’t happen all at once.
Each week, we feature a new event technology in our community. This week, however, I wanted to take a step back and re-share some of the tools that are getting the most hits on the site. These companies are changing the game and are definitely worth you checking them out. The five tools listed here have been selected based on the number of page hits they received since January 1, 2012. The full list of tools that have been featured already can be found on our 
Your name: Krista Carnes 
In the past months, it seems that everyone is talking about how real speakers don’t use PowerPoint. It’s boring and it never engages the audience. It’s text based and too many people use it as their personal cue card. In the midst of all that, a lot of people have been talking about 
Your name: Brandon Whichard
In New York, things are in fashion for barely a season before they’re passé. In America’s other big cities, three to four years may pass before that fashion catches on. Ten years later, you’ll encounter people sincerely hanging on to that look because it’s still new to them.
Last night, I had the opportunity to speak at an event in Manhattan. Over the past several years, I’ve been asked to do more and more speaking gigs and I always consider it a pleasure. I’m just thankful if no one boo’s me off stage! But each time I host another event, I learn a few things that I can do to improve my speaking. I also learn a few things that would be important from an event planner’s perspective so I thought I would share those things with you today!
