After more than a decade of presenting and running workshops at over 500 conferences across 40 countries, I’ve seen it all from multimillion-dollar productions that fell flat to small, purpose-driven offsites that created lasting impact.
Whether you’re planning a national sales kickoff or a company retreat, the difference between a memorable conference and a forgettable one often comes down to leadership.
That’s why this first tip in my Conference Hacks series focuses on the single most important ingredient for success: how your senior leader opens the event.
Conference Hack #1: Lead from the front
It’s critical that the opening session be led by the senior leader, who rallies their team and sets the inspiration and context for:
- i) why they are present for the meeting, and
- ii) reminding them why they exist as an organisation.
This is not the time to delegate or outsource. No corporate video, professional MC, or slick entertainment can replace the impact of a leader speaking authentically and directly to their people.
When leaders speak from the heart, not the script, they immediately build connection and trust. That’s what sets the tone for the rest of the event, not a PowerPoint deck or a perfectly timed cue.
Set the Tone With Energy and Authenticity
At one large tech company’s kickoff in Bangkok, the senior leader made a powerful point, literally. Instead of opening his laptop, he threw it off the stage and launched into a passionate message about purpose, resilience, and performance. It was raw, real, and unforgettable. It set the tone for a two-day experience that every delegate still talks about.
You don’t have to toss your laptop to make an impact, but the principle stands: ditch the slides, speak from conviction, and connect with your team.
Repetition Isn’t Boring
Leaders often hesitate to repeat key messages, fearing they’ll sound redundant. But in reality, repetition is how vision sticks.
Think of yourself as your organisation’s Chief Reminding Officer. Research shows that employees need to hear a message at least seven times before it truly sinks in. So if you’re tired of saying it, you’re probably just starting to be heard.
Lead by Example
After the opening keynote, stay present. Sit front and centre, phones away, engaged and focused on your people. Your attention signals what matters.
I once ran a session in the Hunter Valley where the billionaire founder stayed in the front row the entire time — attentive, curious, and completely invested. The result? Not a single phone was picked up by anyone in the room.
That’s leadership.
Busyness is a form of laziness. It means your priorities are unclear. If your team’s engagement matters, make it your priority. If it doesn’t, reconsider the investment. Don’t run an offsite for the sake of optics.
The Takeaway
The opening session sets the tone for everything that follows. When senior leaders show up with presence, purpose, and passion, the team follows suit.
Lead from the front — and your conference will do more than inform. It will inspire.
Next week’s blog: Conference Hack #2 – Hide your bits….
