Ignite Talk Invitation for 2016 Alumni Fete

Hello Mapp Alumni!

We are now accepting applications for Ignite Talks for the October 21, 2016 MAPP Alumni Fete in Philadelphia.

What is an Ignite talk?

An Ignite talk is 5 minutes long. Each speaker creates a Powerpoint deck of 20 slides that is automated to move forward to the next slide every 15 seconds. According to Scott Berkun, author of How to Give a Great Ignite Talk:

"Having slides that automate seems mad, and in a way it is, but the surprise is that for most speakers it forces them to be far more concise and thoughtful than they would in any other format.”

Why Ignite Talks?

Ignite Talks are a great way to create a precise message to share your inspiration and experiences with MAPP Alumni.  

How will we use the Ignite Format?

We invite you to think about what you'd share if you had the full attention of MAPP Alumni for 5 minutes.

For the most part, previous Ignite Talks have focused on how people are bringing Positive Psychology to their respective areas of work. In keeping with this years theme, Celebrate!, we are looking for Ignite Talks that focus on how you celebrate MAPP in everyday life. 

Can you tell a story of how practicing gratitude has had a significant impact on you? 

How about a story that illustrates how you use PP to balance your work and personal life? 

How do you use PP as a parent? At family gatherings? 

How have you used PP to overcome a challenge? Tell your story and inspire an audience of your peers!

During this year's Fete, we will have two sessions of Ignite Talks, each with openings for 5 speakers to share their stories.

How can you get a slot?

We have limited space for the Ignite Talks, so express your interest today by emailing mappalumnifete@gmail.com.  Include the following information and a brief summary for your proposed talk.  Applications are due by September 9, 2016.

Please include: 

NAME:

MAPP YEAR:

TITLE:

TOPIC:

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:

How do you prepare to speak?

We will let speakers know who has been selected by September 23rd so you will have plenty of time to prepare and practice. 

1. Prepare your slides:  Download this automated powerpoint template.  We ask speakers to send us the prepared slides before the Fete so that we can have them all on one computer ready to roll. With 5 minute talks, we can't spend 5 minutes switching speakers. 
   
   
2. Consider these helpful tips as you prepare: Use evocative pictures to illustrate your points. Avoid data that needs explaining if possible. Hack the system by duplicating a slide if you need more than 15 seconds for a particular point.  Read Scott Berkun's full article about giving a great Ignite talk. Breathe. When you stand up to speak, enjoy the excitement.
   
   
3. Check out some examples. Here are links to the 15 recordings of 2014 Ignite Talks. Kathryn Britton is the first speaker. She talks about mistakes she made as a newly minted MAPP graduate. Her talk is great example of using slides effectively and keeping within the 15 second time frame. The last speaker, Shannon Polly, even followed bullet 8 in Scott Berkun's list: she hacked the format. She also gives and models some good advice about giving talks. "Once upon a time..."
   
   Here are more examples from 2015:  those open to the public and those restricted to other MAPPsters.  Here are some examples from non-MAPP Ignite events: 
   
   • Bethany Marzewski's Ignite talk: Getting Past Hello… How to Talk to Anyone (Velocity NY 2014)
   • Monica Guzman on Being an Awesome News Commenter, EP 9
   • Steve Souders, The Illusion of Speed (Velocity 2013)
   • MeiMei Fox, Shut the F*** Up
4. Practice! From Scott Berkun again:
   
   "300 seconds is easy to practice. You can practice 10 times in an hour. Do it (The average Ignite speaker practices 5 times). 300 seconds equals 10 television commercials – you can make great points in a short time if you refine your thoughts. The entire Sermon on the Mount can be read in about 5 minutes and The Gettysburg Address takes about 2 and a half minutes." 

Do you have more questions?

Please feel free to email Lee K. Bohlen with any questions, concerns, clarifications or to set up a time to chat!

I am looking forward to hearing from you,

Lee K. Bohlen MAPP 2008