Presentation Tips: Design Panels & Symposium Style Shows

  • PFCI_logo_V_2011_small3“When you are at a loss for words (Rare, but it happens!) use the opportunity to thank the sponsors.” – Wanda Brady AIFD PFCI
  • “For Symposium style shows, seek continuity and common themes in the work. Encourage the audience to look for the inspiration behind the designs and get inside the designer’s mind.” – Kirk Pamper AAF AIFD PFCI
  • “Involve the designers on the panel with the commentary. Call them to the microphone and have them share a story or answer a question. People love to hear from the panel.” – Jason McCollum AIFD PFCI
  • “During commentating, drink only room temperature water. This is best for your vocal cords and throat. Stay clear of milk, carbonated soft drinks, coffee and alcohol.” – Ardith Beveridge AAF AIFD PFCI
  • “Pacing the timing of a panel show is sometimes difficult. Count the number of completed designs before going on stage. Make a mental note of who is producing what. At breaks check on how many are left. This avoids the crunch at the end.” – Kevin Ylvisaker AAF AIFD PFCI
  • “Contact the designers on your panel by phone or introduce yourself by letter. Make some effort to contact them before the show weekend. It helps to speed up rapport on site.” – Richard Milteer AAF AIFD PFCI
  • “If you are the designer and the commentator, present the work with the same enthusiasm as you would if your best friend made the work. Never skimp on detailing how it was created for the audience – just because you created it.” – Joey Schwanke AAF AIFD PFCI
  • “Lead the designers on a panel to create designs in a few specific categories by suggesting they each do their own interpretation of a cash and carry design, a bud vase or wedding bouquet. – Frankie Shelton AAF AIFD PFCI
  • “Use Post-it notes to number the arrangements as they should come out on stage. You can switch the notes easily if you change your mind and even use them as index cards during the presentation.” – Rich Salvaggio AAF AIFD PFCI
  • “Use demonstrations to change the pace of the program and clarify your words. Show them a simple technique – really how-to do it. They’ll never forget.” – Arliss Zimmerman PFCI
  • “Remove ‘I’ from your commentating vocabulary. It’s better to use phrases like, ‘The foam is placed in the container’ – rather than ‘I placed the foam in the container.'” – Alan Parkhurst AIFD PFCI
  • “Find something important and worthy of mentioning in every arrangement. Make the designs and the designers the stars of the shows.” – Lynn Lary McLean AAF AIFD PFCI
  • Lights! Camera! Action!: Notes for Presenting a Stage Program” by Rich Salvaggio, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, CAFA

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