We would like to thank you for speaking at this conference. Here are some tips we have compiled to help make your presentation more successful. If you have tips that you would like to share with your fellow presenters let us know and we will add them to our resources! Click the link below to quickly go to that subject matter:

• Top 10 Speaker Tips
• Creating PowerPoint Presentations
• Handout Help
• Culturally Competency
• Working with an Interpreter
• Dealing with Q&A Sessions Effectively

Top 10 Speaker Tips

1. Review and submit paperwork as requested to the conference office by the deadline date indicated. The paperwork we request is to ensure that we are prepared appropriately for your presentation. Help us help you!

2. Make sure your presentation description matches your presentation. A top attendee complaint is that the brochure did not accurately reflect the session content and they found themselves in a workshop that didn't meet their needs. If you do alter your presentation, let the attendees know at the start of the session.

3. Know your audience. Understand who you will be talking to, how knowledgeable they are on the subject matter and the demographics of the individuals they work with. The conference office can provide you guidance in this area.

4. Arrive early! Give yourself ample time to relax, get situated, prepare your AV and go to the restroom. If you want to come very early to review your presentation on a large screen or test equipment, just notify the conference office.

5. Watch the Clock! Keep your presentation to the designated time. Don't go too long or too short. Too long impacts the conference schedule and too short could jeopardize the continuing education hours offered.

6. Don't read to attendees! Our number one attendee complaint about presentations is that presenters read their material or PowerPoints to them.

7. Utilize adult learning principals. Adults prefer to participate actively and need to be able to express themselves freely.

• Learning occurs when the learner perceives a problem; adult learning is problem centered.
• Learning applied immediately is retained longer.
• Use the knowledge of the entire group, not just the instructors.
• Create a friendly environment of mutual respect.
• Case studies are an excellent way to involve the group and utilize these principals.

8. Don't overdo your AV. Don't try to cram your entire presentation onto your PowerPoint. Busy or detailed charts are useless 70 feet from the screen as is type that is too small. Click HERE for more tips.

9. Take time to identify the most appropriate handouts. Handouts can be used to enhance your presentation and to serve as a valuable resource to attendees. Make sure you submit a CLEAN copy to the conference office. Help us be green by eliminating unnecessary handouts. Click HERE for more tips.

10. Allow time for questions/discussion. Attendees want the opportunity to interact with you and the other attendees. Make the time as part of your presentation. Ask an attendee to help track questions during the presentation that may arise and answer at the end if it will affect the flow of your presentation  Click HERE for more tips.

Creating PowerPoint Presentations

PowerPoints - they seem to be a necessary evil these days. Here are the top PowerPoint mistakes to avoid:

#1 Just because your presentation looks great on the monitor you are looking at, six inches away from you on your desk; it doesn't mean it is going to look great on an 8 or 12 foot screen with people 70 feet away. After you pick the font size for your presentation double it!

#2 Remember less is more- even though PowerPoint comes with a cool bells and whistles you don't have to use them all! Remember, it is the information YOU PROVIDE that is the most important, what is on the screen is just there to support the message.

#3 If your PowerPoint gives all of your information about your topic why are you there? The number one complaint we see on evaluations is "the speaker just read us his/her PowerPoint." Your PowerPoint presentation should clarify ideas, emphasize key points, show relationships and provide visual information to ensure the audience understands your message.

#4 The more advanced the technology the more likely there are to be "technical problems." Too often we have seen speakers come in at the last minute and be completely flustered when their equipment doesn't work. It creates a sheer panic for everyone. We highly suggest you always send a copy of your presentation to the conference office in advance so we can load it and test it. Always arrive early and bring a backup!

Handout Help

The best way to reinforce your key points and encourage ongoing learning is to send your audience home with a handout. That doesn't mean reproducing your entire presentation. An effective handout summarizes the main points of your session, lists applicable resources, and suggests ways that participants can follow up on what they've learned.

The conference office will copy handouts if they are submitted by the deadline date outlined in your Presenter Information Sheet.

Handout Guidelines:
* Cover page should include presenter's name and presentation title
* Maximum of 20 pages per presentation
* Handouts will be duplicated double-sided
* PowerPoint slides will be duplicated 6 slides per page
* Originals must be e-mailed or mailed, faxed handout originals will not be accepted.
* Presenters are responsible for obtaining written permission to reproduce copyrighted material. Without a copy of written permission, we will not include copyrighted material as part of your handouts.
* If you don't submit your handouts by the deadline date, you will be responsible for bringing your handouts at your expense.

Cultural Competency

We ask all presenters to address New Mexico's demographics and cultural make up in their presentation. If you need detailed information about local programs, demographics, statistics, etc., please contact the Conference Office and we will direct you to the appropriate resource. Here are the basics from the 2000 Census and recent updates:

According the 2000 U.S. Census, 28.76% of the population aged 5 and over speak Spanish at home, while 4.07% speak Navajo. 34% live in rural environments

Dealing Effectively with Q&A Time

We encourage you to allow time for questions and answers in your presentation. Below are tips to deal with the Q&A portion of your presentation effectively.

• Listen to the entire question BEFORE you begin answering. Not waiting to hear the entire questions can result in you providing incorrect answers.
• Pause and allow yourself time to value the question and listener. REPEAT the question out loud so the entire audience can hear it, otherwise what you are saying may not make sense to everyone in the room. Repeating the question also allows you some additional time to evaluate the question and formulate a response.
• Credit Each Person for asking the question. You may say something like, "That was a great question" or, "Glad you asked that question" or even, "I get asked that question by many people".
• Respond to the Question honestly and the best you can. If you do NOT know an answer to a question, do not try to fake it. Be honest, and tell them you do not know but DO promise to research the answer for them and DO get back to them.
• Bridge to the next question by asking them a question. "Does that answer your question?", "Is that the kind of information you were looking for?". This is critical. Once they respond to you, "YES" you now have permission to go on to the next person. This also gives them one more opportunity to say, "No" and allows them to clarify their question more by asking it again.

Working with an Interpreter

You will be notified in advance if a sign language interpreter will be in your room. Following are some tips for working with an interpreter.

1. Before your session begins, it is helpful to meet with the interpreter to explain what will be covered. Provide the interpreter with copies of the agenda and/or other print materials for review and to follow as the meeting progresses.

2. Work with the interpreter to figure out the best positioning for each of you to ensure effective and comfortable communication. People who are deaf or hard of hearing need to sit where they can see the speaker easily. When using an interpreter, they must be able to see both the speaker and the interpreter. The interpreter may stand close to the speaker or within a direct sight line to allow viewing both the speaker and the interpreter within a quick glance. Interpreters will generally give significant environmental sounds, such as laughing, as well as various directions and cues.

3. Speak clearly, in a normal tone, and at a normal pace. If there is a problem with keeping up, the interpreter or the deaf or deaf-blind person may ask the speaker to slow down or repeat a word or sentence for clarification. However, remember that the interpreter is a few words behind the speaker. Give the interpreter time to finish so that the deaf or deaf-blind person can ask questions or join the discussion.

4. If a deaf person asks a question, speak directly to the individual, not the interpreter, when using the interpreter to communicate with a deaf person. For example, say "Do you have anything you would like to add?" rather than "Does he/she have anything to add?"

5. Allow extra time when referring to a visual aid or handout or when pointing out the location of materials because the listener must look, then return attention to the speaker/interpreter for further information.

6. Permit only one person to speak at a time during group discussions. It is difficult for an interpreter to follow several people speaking at once. Ask for a brief pause between speakers to permit the interpreter to finish before the next speaker starts. It can be helpful to ask people to raise their hands and wait to speak after they have been recognized. Also, if a deaf-blind individual is at the meeting or event, it is appropriate etiquette for effective communication for each participant to state her or his name before speaking so the deaf individual knows who is talking.