While a “speaking rider” seems a bit pretentious, over the last ten years I’ve given a few hundred presentations to groups really small and really big. During that time, I’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t. I’ve also discovered that more than half the time, the technical team on-site had no idea whatsoever what was needed.

To get the most out of your event and to keep me from going nuts as I experience the same pitfalls over and over, I’ve put together this list of requirements and suggestions.  I ask that the person responsible for the event actively confirm that you’ll make these things happen. Here it is, in the third person, for your team:

• John uses a MacBook Pro laptop running Keynote software. He has his own computer and his own VGA adapter, so a standard VGA cable works just fine. His presentation does not run on any other computer but his.
• Sound out is required.  The bigger the sound, the better.  If this is a concern for some reason, contact me.
• AC power should be within six feet of the computer.
• For any group more than 25 people, John needs a wireless lavaliere microphone. To be specific, a clip-on tie microphone, not an earpiece, with a belt pack.  John sucks with a wired microphone, a handheld microphone or a podium microphone. Please be sure that you’ve tested it on all areas of the stage for volume and for feedback.
• Some large audiences are best served using split screens, projecting an image of the speaker on several large screens. This works well, however, you MUST have it set up so that least one screen the audience sees carries nothing but John’s slides, while one or more carry the image of John speaking. To be specific, this means that if you have a large group, you should have at least two screens, and at least one of the screens should have just the slides from John’s computer and at least one of the screens should have John’s image. It is not acceptable to switch back and forth on one screen. You’re just going to have to trust us on this.  John has many slides that he clicks through (pictures, not words) and despite the assertions and promises of those that have meant well, you just don’t have enough time to practice this and get it right. So please guarantee that the screens will be set up as described.
• John’s laptop is controlled by a remote control that he brings with him. The laptop must be set up within 20 feet of the most distant point where he will be standing. It usually works best to have it on a cocktail table so it can also work as a confidence monitor.
• John cannot present his laptop to you the night before for setup and safekeeping, nor can he surrender it you the day of the event. It stays in his possession-all his work is there.  He is more than willing to work with your team on a tech check, preferably thirty minutes before he goes on stage.
• If your booking involves an overnight stay, please be sure to find a hotel that’s either at the venue or closer to the airport than the venue itself, and book a non-smoking room.
• Whenever possible, make the room at the event too small, not too big. This is often overlooked and it makes a huge difference. It’s also a good idea to dispense with round tables and pack people in together-at least for the speech itself.
• John’s slides are not available for download, or for publishing as notes or a handout.  Seriously though, most of the time they make absolutely no sense out of context from what he’s talking about in the moment.
• If you’d like to interact with John before the event, email is actually quicker and more effective than a conference call. John can be reached at ijohnpederson@gmail.com.