The CES will be holding its first virtual conference in May 2021. With over 300 presenters and 150 presentations, effective virtual delivery will be critical to delegates’ professional development. For many presenters, this may be your first time presenting virtually. You are not alone! C2021 is committed to providing guidance and support to presenters to help them transition to successful online delivery and will be in touch with all presenters in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you want to get a head start on designing a great virtual presentation, read on!

1. Make your voice heard. Choose a quiet area and make sure your sound emits clearly. Test your microphone and audio in advance. Your voice is the most important part of conveying your message online – more than the image of yourself and more than your presentation visual. If you are not heard… you will not be heard!
2. Connect with your audience. Speak slowly and clearly to ensure you are well understood. And similar to an in-person presentation, present with energy and animation. Engage your viewers by using the words “you” and “us” to make them feel you are talking directly to them.
3. Be visually clear. Your visual support has to take into consideration that it will be displayed in a small window on computer screens of various sizes. Use large fonts, few words, and very simple images.
4. Lighten up. If you are going to turn your camera on, ensure the right lighting. You will need to lighten your face by using multiple light sources from different angles. Experiment with moving lamps and your camera.
5. Be center stage. Place your webcam at eye-level and ensure you are looking directly into the camera while speaking. Set up proper camera framing: the top of your head should almost touch the top frame and you should be centered in the frame.
6. Dress for success! During your virtual event, choose an attire that you would wear if you were attending an in-person conference. Favor plain-colored clothes as patterns and stripes may not display well on remote sites. Also, avoid wearing white, red, or a color similar to your background.
7. Choose a simple background. For when you display yourself on camera, avoid clutter and anything that can be distracting. Select your presentation spot carefully to pick a background that aligns with your message. Avoid moving backgrounds.

Stay tuned for more detailed guidance and support to presenters from C2021!