Your Public Speaking Security Matters at the Conference

Some years ago we noted the near disaster of a lost wedding speech. In fact the father of the bride, Alex Stonys, managed to lose his speech twice before his daughter's wedding. Remarkable, and probably some form of record. However, this week we were treated to the spectacle of a conference speaker losing her purse at the speaking venue. Now, you'd imagine that public speaking security might be high at a Police Superintendents conference. But, apparently it's not.

The conference speaker was the United Kingdom government Policing Minister, Diana Johnson. So, it really was the perfect mix. A Policing minister, a police officers conference and a theft. Remarkable, and probably some form of record.

Diana was scheduled to speak at a Police Superintendent's Association conference at the Chelsford Grange hotel, near Kenilworth. It's not exactly the crime hot spot of the country, even when it's not crawling with senior police officers. Fortunately conference etiquette has rebounded after early 2020 and it appeared to be a bustling conference.

Still, our plucky speaker managed to keep possession of her speech and apparently she gave a good account of herself, prior to the theft of her purse. And the subject matter for her speech? 

The epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting

Clearly there's a lot of embarrassment about this incident. And quite right too. So, we don't know how the Minister lost her purse from her handbag after she gave her speech. Though, they tell us the item was lifted between 1100 and 1115.

Public Speaking Security Restored in Warwickshire

But we do know that Warwickshire Police's finest have nabbed a 56-year old suspect who's now been released on bail. This is impressive stuff as the Warwickshire force typically solves only 3% of burglaries on its patch.

Now the likelihood of you losing your purse, wallet or briefcase whilst you're at your conference venue is probably no higher than losing them at any other locality. However, you really don't want to lose your speech.

That's because there's always someone who loses their speech, mislays their speech or ends up with the wrong presentation.

A few years ago Victoria Hammah, Deputy Communication Minister in the Ghana Government managed to lose her speech whilst on the podium. She spluttered and asked a question or two of her aides in the front row, before she gave the rest of her address with notes and from memory. For a speech on the broad subject of communications, this was impressive.

Can it get worse? Well, yes it can. Because at the United Nations Security Council, India's External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna, spoke for a few minutes before he and his team realised that he was using someone else's speech. After a brief delay he got back on track.

It Pays to Keep Your Speech Secure

The late President Mugabe, at 91 years old, also suffered a lost speech. On that occasion, at the ZANU-PF conference in Victoria Falls, the Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa saved the day.

So, when it's your turn to give your conference speech it really does pay to an eye on your own speech.

When you're in the market for public speaking tips and other tips for speakers, then you'll find plenty of tips and advice here at Time to Market. And with more than 100 top tips, videos and podcasts there really is something for every speaking opportunity. Plus, when you're ready to master the public speaking basics, you're welcome to enroll on a public speaking course,