When someone invites me to be the lecturer at their conference, they usually get a list of questions from me first. Questions that help me prepare myself for the lecture and to create the unique experience for the audience.
At first, these questions cause panic and fear among the organizers, but they soon realize these questions can help them prepare themselves better for the organization of the conference.
Every time I prepare slides for a new conference or workshop, the first question I ask the organizer is whether there is a presentation template available – ideally a PowerPoint template that includes the essential elements aligned with the conference’s visual identity.
Why do I ask that? Because when my slides match the conference colors, the audience often thinks I’ve put in extra effort – even though I’ve simply swapped the standard template with one in the event’s colors! This little trick can make a big difference because everything on stage appears cohesive, without the discord that would distract the audience.
What else do I need to know?
Besides the template, it’s useful to obtain information about the design, such as:
- Logos and design elements – so I can incorporate them into my slides, even if there’s no official template.
- Basic graphic elements of the conference – such as images or colors that correspond to the visual identity of the event.
Of course, some brands stick to their brand colors in presentations, which is completely understandable. However, I personally believe the least we can do is to place the conference logo in the footer of our slides. It’s a simple gesture that shows respect for the organizer.
What if the organizer has no materials or doesn’t respond to the request?
Honestly, most organizers do not prepare a PowerPoint (or any other) template – at best, I receive some image or a visual ad that I can “use as I wish.” I can count on one hand the number of times I have actually received a complete template with different types of slides, space for my content, and colors that match the conference venue.
Organizers don’t think about templates because they believe it’s enough to prepare an introductory slide with the title and our image. However, such an approach, without design information, can lead to visual dissonance on stage, especially if speakers use bright colors that do not match the colors in the venue. In these cases, the audience may even feel uncomfortable watching someone’s slides, which certainly does not contribute to the overall experience of the conference.
How do I handle this?
To avoid the aforementioned situation, if I don’t receive a template from the organizer, I usually visit the conference website to look for:
- The conference logo, preferably in .PNG format, which I can easily insert into the footer.
- If they have a good background image, I can use it as a backdrop for my slides.
What does my slide look like when I only have the logo and the website background? You can see an example of my slide’s appearance in the cover photo, which I adapted to the event’s colors and logo, even though an official template was not available. That small adjustment made the presentation visually more cohesive!
Overall, if organizers want to better connect speakers and the audience with the visual identity of the event, I recommend providing a template – speakers will definitely appreciate it!
Take a look at other questions for conference organizers, which help me prepare myself for the audience.
Also, if you want me to help you organize your event or to hire some great speakers, do no hesitate to contact me 🙂