This document provides several suggestions for ending a presentation or panel at a business conference on time. Some suggestions include having a visible time element like a countdown clock; using known rituals when time is up, such as presenting the speakers with flowers; interrupting the speakers by handing them an award or certificate; playing a prerecorded video message from a leader; or having the audience participate by doing something in response to a signal from the moderator. The purpose of establishing clear closing rituals or cues is to respect time limits, engage the audience, and create a positive experience for all involved in the conference program.

1. CLOSING !
A PLENARY
Ways to end a presentation or panel during a business
conference in time.
Collected by Anja Kantowsky "

2. Why bother on ways to close a plenary?
NEEDS BENEFITS
Presenters at
business
conferences
are often not
so experienced
Hierarchy:Hard to stop aleader withpoor time
keeping
Audience
needs
appealing flow
in order to
engage
Good timekeeping caters
for a goodoverallexperience of
the program
Releases
conference
team /
moderator
Needs to besmart &
appreciative -not rude
Creates a good
spirit if done
properly

3. Have a time-element as
back-drop element
screened visible for
everybody.
Could be connected to
overall conference topic
or classic devices like a
count-down or a hourglass
Visible time element
Needs to be not
too distracting
Works only ifvisible for all
Could be a
conversation
starter

4. Use known rituals to
thank presenter(s)/
panelists like a flower
bouquet or present.
As soon as present is
within sight of presenters
and audience, everybody
will understand that it has
come to an end.
Ritual
Needs to be
“learned” –
done in all
sessions
Needs to be
iconic (e.g. with
ribbon)

5. Hand over an award,
certificate or any other
accolade to interrupt
presenter and come to an
end.
Finish
Ideally handed
over from top
management
Presenters need
to know
beforehand

6. Introduce/do something
completely different from
the running presentation.
Interruption
Needs to be
smart & funny

7. A variation of the
interruption: "
Arrange a video message
or call from a leader for
the end of the
presentation.
You don’t let an important
person wait so presenters
have to finish in time.
Call from a leader
Can be pre-
recorded but
don’t tell
them ;-)

8. During the moderation,
educate the audience to do
something on a given sign.
Use them to end the
session.
Use the audience
Needs a strong
moderator
Great forengagementand overallattention

9. About this document
>12 years
experience
facilitating
conferences
>20 years
professional
experience
Passionate
for people
& working
together
Bad
conferences
are a drag
Improving
is easy and
fun! Good
practice
-> results
-> ☺
Collection of
practices to
end a plenary
in time
Complete
Scientific