Interview
How to shake it up on stage for maximum effect
PAUL COLSTON TALKS TO INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTER , PRESENTER , EVENTS HOST AND MC , PAUL COIA WHO IMPARTS A WEALTH OF STORIES , EXPERIENCE AND TIPS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING
How did you first get involved in the corporate events world ? Was it a natural step from your TV and radio work and how are those skills transferable ? I was presenting the Holiday Show on BBC1 in the UK and Thomas Cook asked if I ’ d like to host its conference in Athens . I jumped at it but had to learn quickly .
My agent started putting me forward for more . I may not have been experienced in the world of conferences , but I was cheap ! What ’ s not to like ?
Being on stage at a conference is similar to radio and TV presenting . You ’ re trying to inform and entertain , to
Paul Coia get the best out of your guests , sticking to time , remaining focussed , and always mindful of the audience . You also have to be diplomatic . I ’ ve lost count of the number of times as host I ’ ve been asked to get motivational speakers or performers off stage when they ’ re dying on their feet .
One guy bet me £ 100 he would end his motivational presentation by getting a standing ovation . He was awful , and after ten minutes I was asked to get him off , except when he saw me hovering at the side of the stage and knew the game was up , he told the audience that he was going home to his five-year-old grandson who would be missing him , so he asked for an ovation for his lonely , grandson , got it , and walked out through a cheering crowd .
Give us an idea of the range of events you have worked on and how you approach some of the challenges involved . I ’ ve worked on events with 100 in the audience through to 50,000 ( opening of
“ The execs all stood giving their presentations with their palms joined together like choirboys . So unnatural . Their last coach had advised them to do it to stop overgesticulating . Nonsense .” the Special Olympics in a stadium when Prince Philip was delayed . I was sent out to entertain the crowd for an hour and it ’ s amazing what panic can teach you .)
I ’ ve hosted standard conferences , multi continent satellite link ups , product launches , annual results to shareholders and more . One of my favourites was doing a weeklong Breakfast show to all the hotels in Hawaii for Oracle delegates at their global conference . I also had to introduce the entertainment on the last night . Unfortunately , this famous rock star had been arrested for tax fraud at the last minute , so they hastily flew another act in from Los Angeles and I was sent out to fill until they were ready . That was difficult as many in the audience didn ’ t have English as a first language . I got them singing Beatles songs in all their different languages .
All events bring unique challenges , but all demand the same preparation . I do deep research on the company , its history , objectives and challenges . Sometimes the organisers are too close to the company ’ s current problems to have clarity , so I try to always show them how to bring out the positivity and possibilities that will energise their colleagues .
Can anyone learn these skills ? I simply try to pass on the short-cuts or tips I ’ ve learned in my broadcasting career . Speakers have to be themselves to be seen as authentic , so my job is to get rid of any worries or blocks that are preventing them from being natural .
I coached executives for a global car launch . Millions were spent on it with orchestras and barges on the Thames . In rehearsals the execs all stood giving their presentations with their palms joined together like choirboys . So unnatural . Their last presentation coach had advised them to do it to stop over-gesticulating . Nonsense . When did you last walk into an office or canteen to be faced by your colleagues
42 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 129