Designing your presentation

  • PowerPoint (PPT) will be supported. If you wish to use another program such as Prezi or Keynote, or will be bringing a Mac, please advise the Leishman Associates team so the information can be passed on to the venue’s audio-visual team.
  • Presentation slides should be in the widescreen format of 16:9.
  • There is no requirement to use the event branded template PPT slide.
  • If you have audio and/or video in your presentation, please ensure you have the files saved separately as embedding the media does not always include them in the PowerPoint file. This will allow the technical team to re-embed and/or change the format of the video onsite if needed.
  • If you are using custom fonts not found in the standard system fonts, please use the “Embed fonts in file” feature found in Save As/tools/save options. This will ensure that your fonts travel with the PowerPoint file when saved.
  • Please ensure the contents of your presentation including photos, data, graphs etc. are generated by you, referenced or the appropriate owner has granted you permission to include their work for educational purposes.

Audio Visual Inclusions

You must bring a USB and upload your presentation at least 2-3 hours prior to your scheduled talk. See the team at the registration desk for assistance.

Each session room will be equipped with the following:

  • Data projector
  • Screen
  • Microphone
  • Lectern
  • Laser pointer
  • Laptop
  • Wi-Fi access (throughout the conference venue)

TED's secret to great public speaking

Tips for Delivering an Effective Presentation

Manage Your Time Well

Tailor your presentation to fit the allotted time. Speeding up because you’re running out of time won’t benefit your audience. Keep an eye on the clock and allow time for questions and interaction.

Rehearse

Practice, practice, and practice some more! Rehearsing will boost your confidence, allowing you to speak more fluently and avoid fillers like “um” or “erm.” Consider having a trusted colleague listen to your presentation and provide constructive feedback.

Avoid Reading

Reading directly from notes or PowerPoint slides is ineffective and disengaging. Written and spoken language are different; your audience will connect better if you narrate, provide examples, and explain your topic conversationally. One of the most common complaints about event presentations is speakers reading their paper instead of engaging the audience. So, make sure you speak directly to them.

Engage Your Audience

Connect with your audience by making eye contact and speaking directly to them, not to your slides. Use clear voice projection and positive body language to convey confidence. Pausing strategically and slowing down when nervous can also enhance your delivery.

Focus on Key Content

Identify the three main points of your presentation and centre your talk around these. Avoid overloading your audience with too much information; sticking to a few key messages helps them retain what’s most important.

Structure Your Presentation

Follow a clear structure: tell your audience what you’ll cover, present your content, and then summarise what you’ve discussed. Start with a compelling introduction that grabs attention and establishes your credibility. In the main body, present your methods, data, findings, and their implications, but avoid overwhelming the audience with excessive details. Conclude with a strong summary that reinforces your key points and leaves a lasting impression.

Use Visual Aids Effectively

Visual aids should support your speech, not replace it. Slides that are irrelevant or overcrowded can distract from your message. Good visuals are concise, relevant, and consistent in style and colour. Avoid slides with too much text, complex graphs, or decorative elements that don’t serve your message. Remember, people struggle to read and listen at the same time, so keep it simple.

And don’t forget: Use spell check!