How to Introduce a Speaker

Introducing the keynote speaker at a banquet, luncheon, or conference is easy if you follow a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Speaker's Resume'

Instructions

1. When asked to introduce a speaker at a luncheon, banquet, or other conference, most people ask the speaker for his or her resume, and then read the whole thing. That's boring and takes way too long. If you are introducing the speaker, it is your job to "set the stage." The following formula makes for easy, flattering, and useful introductions for just about any speaker. All you need to get started is a copy of the speaker's resume.

2. 1. Tell us something "Wow" about this person, probably their major accomplishment from their resume: "Ron Davis was mayor for two terms during the 1980's."

3. 2. Tell us what qualifies this person to speak to us today. Example: At a conference for parents of children with autism you should explain "Jennie McCarthy may be best known as an actress and model, but she is also the mother of a child with autism."

4. 3. Tell us something warm, personal, or funny about this person that will make the audience want to like them: "When he's not practicing criminal law, he is a skilled woodworker who has won many awards for his original designs."

   * Your introduction will probably be longer than three sentences, but it's possible to do a good job with just that.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep it short - because nobody came to hear you. You want them to look forward to hearing the speaker.

• Tell your audience who this person is

• Tell them why it's worth their time to listen

• Introduced them to the speaker's personal side so they'll be predisposed to listen

• If you think your audience needs a more comprehensive biography, consider including that in a program or advance publicity for the meeting.

• Don't tell a joke in your introduction. That can backfire and make you AND the speaker look foolish.