Have a main overall theme (thesis) for the entire group presentation, as well as a main point (thesis) for each section of the presentation.

"We're here today to discuss how blood donation saves lives."

"This seminar will provide you with the financial information you need to become independently wealthy and live the life you've always dreamed of."

Divide the entire program up into section to help the audience digest the information. Grouped sections help increase retention and interest.

"This seminar will cover three main areas: First we'll discuss problems with low blood reserves, next we'll learn why people aren't donating, and finally, we'll discuss simple solutions."

"This three-day workshop will present new medical products now available to help cancer patients become survivors. Today, we will review the benefits and drawbacks of current products, tomorrow, we'll discuss the most recently approved products, and finally, on Wednesday, we'll talk about future products in development."

Select a lead presenter to open and close the presentation, handle announcements, and speaker introductions. For long presentations which require breaks, the lead presenter may also link one section to another.

Encourage presenters to keep lecturing to a minimum when seminars run over many hours or days. Try to work in "fun" and interactive activities to increase learning and interest. It's difficult to stay attentive at boring, lecture-filled seminars.

Group presentations are usually long and may run over several days. Be sure to include lots of scheduled breaks to let audience members move around and get their blood flowing so they stay alert and attentive. Don't keep the audience sitting for more than about 90 minutes at a time.

Create clear transitions between speakers and sections to give the seminar cohesiveness. Don't leave it up to the audience to figure out how to the speeches fit together. Tell them.

Give candy or small prizes to reward audience members for learning. Adults don't get gold stars and smiley faces for learning as kids do. You may be shocked at how attentive people can be when there is a chance to win something.

Group presentations can be fun since all the focus isn't on one presenter. Help each other out and have fun!

Kristin Carey, Copyright 2007. Kristin Carey is an award-winning professional speaker and consultant who brings nearly a dozen years of marketing communications experience to her company: Orange Tree Training & Speaking Group. Based just outside of Philadelphia, Carey works with all levels of corporate management - from CEO's to sales associates - and provides one-on-one counsel to entrepreneurs, business leaders and other professionals. Visit her site and sign up for her "Juicy Bits and Pieces" Ezine at www.ottsg.com