If you live in the States, there are some excellent live events coming this spring. There’s also an opportunity to win a free ticket, so read on:
Hook Presentation Conference
This conference has an impressive line up of keynote speakers: Gary Vaynerchuk, Scott Stratten and Michael Hyatt.
These are people who are highly successful entrepreneurs, speakers and authors. They’re not presentation trainers, coaches or authors or professional speakers (in the sense that that’s the only thing they do). But they’ll be speaking at the Hook Presentation Conference about their approach to speaking and presenting. I’m really excited to hear what they have to say. Here’s why:
Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary is a wine entrepreneur. He’s a brilliant businessman but also an awesome social media communicator.
I was in the audience for Gary Vaynerchuk’s keynote at SXSW last year. He blew me away. He talked for ten minutes and then started taking questions – this is in a room of several thousand people. He was straight in his answers, sometimes even blunt. But it never came across as rude or arrogant because it was clear that he was just telling us what he truly believed. Just like everything else he does, he presents in his own inimitable way. You can check out more about my experience of Gary Vaynerchuck’s keynote. To hear him talk about his philosophy of communicating and connecting will be an invaluable experience.
Scott Stratten
I became aware of Scott Stratten through Jon Thomas’s blog. It was clear that he was not only a progressive thinking but an authentic and engaging speaker (do click to read Jon’s account of Scott’s talk). Then I saw this video of him speaking at TEDx Oakville:
Michael Hyatt
Michael Hyatt is CEO of Thomas Nelson publishers. He writes a personal and engaging blog which he updates five times a week. And he’s a prolific speaker – speaking at 3-4 events a month. And often he blogs about his speaking experiences in an honest and transparent way. I particularly enjoyed this post: The 10 Psychological Stages of Public Speaking.
Those are just the keynoters. Scott has assembled a range of other speakers – including me. Some of us are presentation specialists such as Travis Dahle, Jon Thomas, Michael Lowstetter, Nat Robinson, Geetesh Bajaj, and of course Scott Schwertly. The rest (CC Chapman, Dave Delaney, Garth Johnson) all seem fascinating people who’ll have great insights on presenting in the business context.
Registration for the Hook Presentation Conference is $595 but I’ve got a free ticket to give away. To win the ticket let me know why you’d like to attend Hook in the comments or send me an email. I’ll choose the winner of the free ticket on 7th February.
Rick Altman’s One-day Workshops
Rick has been training people to produce better presentations for well over a decade and organises the Presentation Summit conference (this year September 18-21st in Austin, Texas).
This spring Rick is touring the country presenting his one-day workshop. Check out whether he’s coming to a city near you. It will be a great opportunity to attend one of Rick’s workshop without having to travel too far.
I haven’t met Rick yet – but I attended his webinar in the Outstanding Presentations Workshop series and then skyped with him. I can guarantee that you will have good time, lots of laughs and learn heaps about presenting.
I believe that presentation today, which is in essence a 21st century version of ancient story telling, is a way of being able to take an idea or a passion or even just a thought and share it with people. But share it with people in a way that can get them so excited, ecstatic and full of emotion that you as a presenter have the power to change those peoples sight, ideas and hearts. And when you have the power to change a persons heart, you have the power to change the world.
The Hook Conference is going to be a collection of some of the smartest minds and greatest presenters of our time. These individuals are the rule breakers and game changers of the presentation world. Being a college student that keeps up with many of those speaking at Hook I have found that the things I am taught in school are either outdated or simply so uncreative and boring that had it not been for those speakers I would still be stuck in the “bullet point every single slide” mindset. I want to attend Hook to not just learn from the best, but to pass on their knowledge to others…and to save the world from boring presentations…and winning the ticket means I get to go since being in college sucks my bank account dry.
Thanks for the opportunity Olivia
Hi Ahmed
Thanks for your very eloquent application!
Olivia
Olivia:
To be honest, due to my limited exposure and knowledge, I have yet to know and learn the brilliant speakers of the world. Nevertheless, I happen and fortunate to know Olivia for the last 7-8 months who help transform my life from an Amateur Facilitator towards a Professional Facilitator (!?) with her readily applicable tips and do-able clues. We are not known in person. I have a deep interest to see and feel her speaking magic in live session and learn through. If I am lucky again to get this wonderful opportunity, I will be one of those carrying forward the Olivia-way of ‘Speaking Flame’ and thus my country will surely benefit from it.
crossing my fingers!
regards,
Raghu
Thank you Raghu. Your commitment and passion towards improving yourself as a trainer and facilitator shine through.
Olivia