The Mark of a Good After Dinner Speaker

Asking an after dinner speaker to make a presentation can improve on almost any event. A good after dinner speaker is an all time favourite of most events organisers because they help to close events in a positive way, making an unforgettable occasion.

Events at which an after dinner speaker often features vary in genre from charity fundraisers to sports dinners to corporate gatherings but in all of these cases the aim of the speaker is the same. Simply put, an after dinner speaker makes an event unforgettable. They have varying degrees of success. There are some obvious marks of a good after dinner speaker which anyone hiring one should remember.

Even in circumstances where the event might have an informational or educational tone, the after dinner speaker will avoid lecturing their audience and making them bored. Instead, experience will have taught the after dinner speaker to inform audiences using humour and light-heartedness. A presentation might inspire thought or motivate but must never bore.
A good after dinner speaker should liaise with events organisers to get the most of the lay-out and acoustics of the room. For example, having a clear view of the speaker is likely to result in a more interested audience. For this reason, some organisers may wish to use cabaret-style seating.

Catching and keeping the audience’s attention and interest is vital to any good after dinner speaker. They may choose to use visual aids or humorous anecdotes to help with this. It is also helpful if the audience feels as though the speech has been written specifically for them. A good after dinner speaker will always ensure that their presentation is up to date by relating the topic to contemporary issues.

Probably the most important skill that makes a good after dinner speaker is their ability to end always on a high note. Even in the cases where subject matter of the presentation may have been less than happy, it is very important that there is a positive note to end on. Allowing the audience to leave on a positive note is what will help them remember your event in a positive way, making the difference between a success and a flop.