10 good things to know before presenting at a Boye conference

When you present at a Boye & Co peer group meeting, you are joining a conversation between peers.

At a Boye conference, you are not just delivering a presentation. You are helping create the conversations, ideas, and connections that people remember long after the event ends.

Our conferences are built around learning, openness, and thoughtful discussions between peers. Whether you are a seasoned keynote speaker or joining us for the first time, these ten friendly guidelines are here to help you prepare and feel comfortable.

1. Speak with the room, not at the room

The best Boye sessions feel like a shared exploration, not a one-way performance.

You do not need to sound like a corporate keynote speaker.
You do not need to have a perfect narrative.
You do not need all the answers.

What works especially well is:

  • sharing what you are currently learning

  • being honest about tensions and trade-offs

  • bringing people into your thinking

People come to Boye conferences to learn from real experience and thoughtful reflection, not polished marketing language.

2. Be human

We want speakers to sound like themselves.

You can:

  • show enthusiasm

  • admit uncertainty

  • use humour

  • tell stories

  • think out loud a little

Warmth and authenticity matter more than sounding “professional.”

The most memorable sessions are often the ones where the audience feels they got to know the person behind the slides.

3. Focus on insight, not promotion

Boye conferences are intentionally low on sales pitches and high on useful conversations.

Please avoid:

  • product demos disguised as talks

  • overly commercial messaging

  • long company introductions

  • marketing-heavy slides

Instead, focus on:

  • lessons learned

  • practical experience

  • changing perspectives

  • what surprised you

  • what others can take away

A little context about your organisation is helpful. A sales presentation is not.

4. Real stories beat abstract frameworks

Concrete examples almost always land better than generic models.

Help the audience understand:

  • what situation you were facing

  • what decisions had to be made

  • what worked

  • what did not

  • what changed afterwards

Complexity is welcome.
Messy realities are welcome.
That is where the interesting conversations usually begin.

5. Keep slides simple

You do not need many slides.

If you use slides:

  • keep them readable

  • avoid dense text

  • use visuals and examples where possible

  • aim for one key idea per slide

People should listen to you, not spend the session reading paragraphs on a screen.

And yes: slides are optional. If do create slides or any other material, we are always happy to share it afterwards and make them publicly available. Sharing is caring

6. Leave room for conversation

A Boye session is not only about delivering content. It is about opening up discussion.

You are very welcome to:

  • ask questions during the session

  • invite reactions

  • test ideas with the audience

  • pause for discussion

  • explore unexpected directions

Sometimes the most valuable moments happen slightly off-script.

7. Timing matters, but flexibility matters too

Conference sessions are live conversations, and energy in the room matters more than perfectly matching every slide.

At the same time, going significantly over time is really difficult for the overall conference flow, other speakers, and the audience experience. Finishing on time is one of the simplest and most appreciated things a speaker can do.

A few practical suggestions:

  • rehearse enough to know your pacing

  • prioritise your key points

  • design your session so parts can be shortened if needed

  • leave breathing room for interaction and questions

A good rule of thumb is the 80/20 rule:

  • if you have a 40-minute session, do not plan 40 minutes of slides

  • aim for roughly 30 minutes of prepared material

  • leave plenty of room for Q&A, discussion, and unexpected but valuable conversation

Our moderators will help steer timing or open discussion. That is part of creating a good experience for the full room.

8. We are happy to help you prepare

You are not on your own.

We are very happy to:

  • review outlines or draft slides

  • discuss structure and focus

  • help shape the session flow

  • provide practical conference guidance

  • think through audience fit and timing

This is collaborative support, not evaluation.

We want you to feel confident and enjoy the experience.

9. The hallway conversations matter too

Some of the best moments at Boye conferences happen outside the session rooms.

We really encourage speakers to be part of the full conference experience, not just the session itself. We try hard to avoid “hit-and-run” speaking, where someone arrives shortly before their talk and leaves immediately afterwards.

Please stay curious and approachable:

  • join conversations during breaks

  • continue discussions after your session

  • attend other talks when possible

  • connect with people socially

The value of a Boye conference comes as much from the shared conversations and relationships as from the presentations themselves.

10. Bring something real

That is ultimately the most important guideline.

Bring:

  • a real challenge

  • a real observation

  • a real shift in perspective

  • a real question

  • a real experience

You do not need to impress people.

You just need to contribute something thoughtful and honest to the shared conversation.

That is what Boye conferences are about.

In short: ten good things to keep in mind

Come as you are.
Bring something real.
Use the room as a thinking partner.

That is what Boye conferences are for.