ABSTRACT: Communication, leadership and public speaking are often ignored elements of being an effective planning professional. Dynamic presentations that are concise and easy to understand are critical in conveying to the public the complex issues professional planners address on a daily basis.

Public speaking is an art and is just as important as making sure the equipment works and all the slides are in order. It does not matter if your materials look great, or you have lots of pretty maps, how you speak can make all the difference. People know when you’re sweating. This session provides tips on how to curb your nervousness and fears of speaking in public. Preparing for and conducting meetings as well as dealing with difficult people or situations are also addressed. Participants will learn from seasoned professionals how to speak off the cuff, perform under pressure, eliminate bad habits and nervous tics, use body language and vocal variety effectively along with other skills that accomplished public speakers use to get their message across.

It is not enough to know your subject matter. An effective planner is comfortable speaking in public and understands that the ability to speak effectively is just as important as knowing the intricacies of comprehensive planning and policy analysis.

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Effective Presentations: Beyond Powerpoint

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Author and Copyright Information

Copyright 2002 by author

Laura M. Minns, AICP
Ms. Minns is a Senior Planner with the firm of Herbert.Halback, Inc. (HHI), a Landscape Architecture, Planning, and Graphic Design firm headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Ms. Minns has 13 years of professional planning experience in both the public and private sector. For the last 3 years, Ms. Minns has been actively involved in Toastmasters International serving as Vice President of Education and President of Osceola Toastmasters Club 1841. She has achieved Competent Toastmaster and Competent Leader designations from Toastmasters International. Under her leadership Club 1841 achieved President’s Distinguished Club status, the highest achievement for a Club a given year.

Ginger Corless, AICP, CPRP
Ms. Corless is the President of HHI, a Landscape Architecture, Planning, and Graphic Design firm in Orlando, Florida. Ms. Corless has over 20 years of professional experience in planning, recreation and landscape architecture. She is certified in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and is well know throughout Florida as a leader in recreation planning, community involvement, facilitation, and redevelopment. She has been with the firm of HHI since 1991 and is the former Planning and Development Supervisor for Orange County, Florida.

Michael J. Lauer, AICP
Mr. Lauer is a Principal at Planning Works a land use planning consulting firm based out of Kansas City, Kansas. Prior to founding Planning Works, Mr. Lauer was the Director of Planning for Freilich, Leitner and Carlisle, a national planning and law firm that pioneered numerous growth management strategies. Mr. Lauer has a national practice helping clients analyze and resolve planning and development issues through an emphasis on partnerships. As a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences Mr. Lauer is effective at clearly conveying complex concepts to citizens and building consensus between disparate groups.