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AGENDA

One day full of learning with highly curated content that will help you communicate effectively in the new hybrid world!

Storytelling + Public Speaking
Slide Design + Presentation Tools
All

ONE DAY, TWO TRACKS ➔

Registration + Coffee ☕️

In-person attendees can register while enjoying a warm cup of coffee inside the Sofia Event Center lobby. Online attendees at home can use the time to check their platform credentials and join us on Hopin.

SEC lobby 

9:00 EEST

Grand Opening

Boris will officially kickoff the conference with a few words on what to expect from the day ahead. Spoiler alert: prepare for an audio visual treat.

Boris Hristov

Founder of 356labs and Present to Succeed Conference

Beta Room / Online

09:45 EEST

Empathizing With Your Audience

The audience. The most important ingredient of any presentation.  Most speakers tend to view their audience as one entity. A group of people with the same wants and needs. We forget that all these individuals have different learning styles, different beliefs and different reference points.     During this talk, you’ll learn how to make sure that everyone in your audience feels seen. The result? Your audience feels connected to you, your topic and each other.     Understanding and empathizing with your audience is a crucial skill for anyone who speaks in public. After this session, it won’t matter if you speak to 1 or to 1000. You’ll know how to get every single person on the edge of their seat.

MARGREET JACOBS

Founder of StageHeroes, Trainer and Presentation Coach

Beta Room / Online

10:05 EEST

Storytelling + Public Speaking Track Intro

This is your introduction to the Storytelling Track + Public Speaking Track. It's going to be wild, we hope you got your coffee!

Boris Hristov & Minna Taylor

Founder of 356labs and Present to Succeed Conference / Confidence & Public Speaking Coach, Founder of Energize Your Voice

Beta Room / Online

10:00 EEST

Slide Design + Presentation Tools Track Intro

This is your introduction to the Slide Design + Presentation Tool Track. It's going to be wild, we hope you got your coffee!

Iva Nachkova & Ash Pemberton

Founder of 356labs and Present to Succeed / Founder of Overnight Design

Alpha Room / Online

10:00 EEST

Designing With Purpose: Adapting Your Slides for Hybrid Presentations

In this talk, you will see and learn that the new world of hybrid presenting comes with its own specifics that you need to take into consideration when building up your slides. So, what do you need to rethink in the process of designing your presentations when your audience is also online and how the virtual component changes your slide design? This session is the one to tell you everything you need to know!

DAMON NOFAR

Founder and Creative Director of Presentation Agency Slides

Alpha Room / Online

10:05 EEST

Telling a Story in an Engaging Way: The Things to Know

In Rhetoric, Aristotle named 3 modes of persuasion that are still relevant today: logos, pathos and ethos. Logos is about sound reasoning, pathos is about engaging emotions, and ethos… what the heck’s “ethos”? Ethos refers to the speakers’ moral character, virtues, values and principles. It’s the cornerstone of one’s charisma. It is time for us take the strategic approach to ethos.

ALEXEI KAPTEREV

Presentation Skills Consultant and Trainer, Speechwriter

Beta Room / Online

10:55 EEST

Design Inspiration & Moodboards: Where to Start With the Design of Your Slides?

In this session you will learn how to confront one of the most challenging parts of presentation design - knowing where to start. The secret is: preparation work! Learn how to gather inspiration, create a moodboard and translate it into a beautiful slide design. Or how to work with the existing brand guidelines. In both cases 90% of design work happens before you even open your presentation software.

KATYA KOVALENKO

Presentation & Data Designer and Teacher

Alpha Room / Online

10:55 EEST

PowerPoint Beyond Its Limits

In this session you will learn how empower® allows you to redefine the limits of PowerPoint. The world's most popular PowerPoint add-in unleashes new possibilities for creating stunning presentations.    Ever wondered why you can't find the latest slides as easily as you can find information on Google? Now you can. Company-wide, across SharePoint and Teams.  Tired of manually converting slides to the latest template? Stop. Convert slides with a single click.  Does tedious formatting take up most of your time? What a waste! Create great-looking slides with the most powerful Swiss army knife.  Yes, this is a product pitch, but it will blow your mind and you will also get our forever free empower® edition. So join us as we break the boundaries of PowerPoint!

STEPHAN KUHNERT

Managing Director at empower® 

 Online

11:15 EEST

6 Steps to Branded PowerPoint Perfection

Learn the 6 steps to branded PowerPoint perfection. A special case study from Ash Pemberton, Founder of Overnight Design.

ASH PEMBERTON

Founder of Overnight Design

Hralupa Expo Booth

11:15 EEST

Coffee Break & Session ☕️

Reload, refresh, network and get ready for what's coming or you can grab a coffee.

SEC lobby 

11:15 EEST

How to Use Storytelling to Make Complex Subjects Easy to Understand 

If your audience can’t understand your ideas, they can’t take action on them. The solution is not to talk more, give more information, explain more - it’s to do it better. The way to do that? Storytelling.     In this session we’ll look at how to use stories and storytelling techniques to make your messages clearer, more memorable and more persuasive.

FRANCISCO MAHFUZ

Keynote Speaker and Storytelling Expert  

Beta Room / Online

11:35 EEST

Designing Interactive Presentations That Drive Conversations

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a presentation; A big podium? or a small crampy office? The majority of presentations take place in those small crampy offices. Presenting new initiatives to our managers, getting investors on board or pitching to potential clients. For these smaller settings, making a connection is crucial. Your goal is not to share information, but to come to a mutual understanding. We design 'conversational presentations'. Interactive presentations that allow a presenter to skip chapters or dive deeper into topics that are relevant to the audience. This way, for any audience the presentation will feel like a custom experience. And the great thing is, all of this can be achieved in various presentation tools, including PowerPoint! In this session we discuss how to structure, create and deliver a presentation, driven by the conversation with your audience.

FRAUKE HAVINGA

Creative Lead at Mr. Prezident

Alpha Room / Online

11:35 EEST

Data Story: How to Make Your Data Sexy

Data is gold. But who wants to buy data? Boring slides followed by boring slides. KPI one, KPI two, KPI zzzzzz. Stop! You can change the game. You can turn your data into the most sought after playmaker of your business. How? By adding emotion to your data. And how do you do that? Well...

FLORIAN MUECK

World-Renowned Charisma and Rhetoric Expert

Beta Room / Online

12:00 EEST

How to Effectively Use Fonts in a Presentation

The world of fonts does not end on Montserrat, Calibri, and Times New Roman. Though it might be very scary to experiment with them. Especially in a business setting. No one wants to show up with slides that look like a kid did them, and not even a talented kid, like a below-average kid. We feel you!  In this session, Ihor will teach you how to comfortably choose fonts, pair fonts, and use fonts to make your slides both effective and gorgeous.

IHOR HULYAHRODSKYY

Founder and CEO of Presentation Agency Ochi Design

Alpha Room / Online

12:00 EEST

Lunch & Networking 🥪

We arranged for the best catering in town and we promise there will be no long lines either! So get your good food and run straight to the numerous networking оpportunities with fellow presentation experts or enthusiasts and people from all over the business and literal world!

SEC lobby 

12:30 EEST

Humor in Business Presentations. Why (not)? How (not to)? 

Using humor in a speech can have BOTH positive and negative effects. It can help you connect WITH YOUR AUDIENCE, but it can also alienate you. During my presentation, we will talk about the benefits and risks of humor, HOW TO TELL WHAT'S appropriate and about some techniques you can use in your next presentation.

PETER HAJDU

Public Speaking Trainer, Moderator, TEDx Speaker 

Beta Room / Online

13:45 EEST

Spice Up Your Charts and Tables With Easy-to-Make Design Solutions

The redesign process of charts and tables in PowerPoint requires a lot of time and creative energy. So it's great to know design solutions that you can easily apply in PowerPoint to make your charts and tables more effective and visually appealing. In this session, we'll review how to spice up your charts and tables with design solutions for better impact. We'll apply simple step-by-step techniques and review many examples of visualizations that non-designers can use. We'll also check other examples of data visualization forms, like maps and timelines.

OLENA ZUBOVA

COO at Reprezent Presentation Design Company 

Alpha Room / Online

13:45 EEST

Panel: Hybrid Meetings & Hybrid Presenting: The New Reality

Want it or not, hybrid meetings and presentations are here to stay. What's different? How can you adapt? What are the best practices around preparing and delivering effective hybrid presentations? We’re joining forces with Bosch, KPMG ITS and Flutter executives to discuss what they do to keep their organisations relevant and be among the top performers on the market.

BORIS HRISTOV, SVETOSLAV SPASOV, DOROTEYA MINCHEVA, SINISHA DJUKIC

Beta Room / Online

14:20 EEST

Panel: Engaging and Designing for a Hybrid Audience

When the whole world switched to hybrid, the change didn't come alone. Along came various new tools and technologies that enabled business people to do their job in the best way possible. So, what are those new tools? Let's sit down with people from top brands like LEGO and Slido to answer some of the most relevant questions: what's available for us and what are the tips & tricks everyone can use the next time they are working on an important presentation.

IVA NACHKOVA, LUCA BRUSCHI, JASON PAUL

Alpha Room / Online

14:20 EEST

10 Step Process for Developing and Delivering More Effective Presentations

Join Cliff Kennedy, creator of the Communication Success: Beginnings, for a discussion about the 10 step process for developing and delivering more effective presentations. For online attendees only.

CLIFF KENNEDY

Communication Success Coach at Kennedy Speech Communications

 Online

14:45 EEST

Coffee Break ☕️

For everybody in Sofia Event Center, enjoy the coffee, refresh and get ready for the next sessions.

SEC lobby 

14:45 EEST

How to Nail Your Hybrid Presentation

In a hybrid environment your job as a speaker is undoubtedly harder, as you have to connect with two audiences with different needs and ways of understanding at the same time. But it is not a mission impossible. Join us for 10 tips to become more inclusive, energetic and successful as if everyone were in the same room.

ORSOLYA NEMES

Founder and Lead Trainer of Spark Presentation

Beta Room / Online

14:55 EEST

AI? How to Create Your Slides as Efficiently as Possible, by Using the Right Tips, Tricks and (AI) Technology

We all know great presentations take a lot of time to prepare. Unfortunately we have less and less time in today's high-paced world. Luckily, building winning slide decks can be easy and simple, as long as you know the right steps to take and the right software to use. This session will provide you with all the tips, tricks and technology to create winning presentations in no time, by showcasing proven templates and the latest (AI) presentation software available.

ROBIN DOHMEN

Founder & Co-CEO at OWOW Digital Agency 

Alpha Room / Online

14:55 EEST

Add-ins to Transform PowerPoint’s Capabilities and Boost Productivity

PowerPoint is pretty much a universal tool, however it can be frustrating to spend many hours creating content. You can change that by utilising add-ins for PowerPoint – magical tools that give you superhuman abilities to get stuff done at light speed, or even complete tasks you couldn’t do before. Come along to this session covering some of the best PowerPoint add-ins out there, to boost your productivity, find fabulous graphics, and see tools that ensure your presentations are always on-brand. What’s more, these are usually complete free, so what’s not to love? Steps to take: 1. Attend this session. 2. Become a PowerPoint Legend.

LUCY WYATT

Managing Design Consultant at BrightCarbon Presentation Agency

Alpha Room / Online

15:20 EEST

Your Responsibilities as a Hybrid Presenter

Hybrid presenting is not particularly new (who remembers conference calls?), but today’s version is completely different, with new challenges, new opportunities, and new responsibilities. Join Cliff Kennedy for a discussion of the five key focus areas for a hybrid presenter, from using the technology to create audience connecting experiences, to developing messages that engage, align, and inspire. You’ll never look at a hybrid presentation the same way again. Change your perspective. Change your expectations. Change your results.

CLIFF KENNEDY

Communication Success Coach at Kennedy Speech Communications

Beta Room / Online

15:45 EEST

Evolving PowerPoint by Еmbracing AI

Just the last few months have brought so much innovation in the world of technologies and when so much is happening, the way we communicate and tell our stories can’t stay still. It needs to evolve too. Come join this session and see how Microsoft is thinking about the never changing world of Artificial Intelligence and be one of the first to see unrelease features that will completely transform the way you prepare, design and deliver your presentations.

SHAWN VILLARON

Vice President of Product for PowerPoint

Alpha Room / Online

15:45 EEST

How to Design Amazing Brand Templates

How to design amazing brand templates that will: 1. Wow you audience 2. Boost presenter confidence 3. Increase conversion rates 4. Save hours of design time.

ASH PEMBERTON

Founder of Overnight Design

 Online

16:10 EEST

Project Confidence and Influence Through Your Body Language

Conquer the mind and the heart of your audience with the language of emotions: The body language. In this speech you will learn the facial expressions of enthusiasm, the posture of competence and the gestures of trust.

STEFAN VERRA

Body Language Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author and Guest Lecturer

Beta Room / Online

15:20 EEST

Coffee Break ☕️

People in the venue, you can reload, refresh, network and get ready for what's coming next.

SEC lobby 

16:10 EEST

Public Speaking Nerves?

Turn Them Into Nerves of Steel

Public speaking. The mere thought of it can set hearts pounding! Yet being able to speak well in public is a critical and much-desired skill. In this session, John will share practical strategies to help you harness those nerves and make them work to your advantage.

JOHN ZIMMER

Public Speaking Coach, Presentation Skills Trainer, TEDx Speaker 

Beta Room / Online

16:30 EEST

Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: Engage Your Hybrid Audience Like a Pro!

Are you looking for effective techniques to include both your online and in-person meeting participants equally? In this session we will provide you with practical tips to help you connect with hybrid audiences and keep them engaged throughout your presentation. Jason will show you some best practices using Slido and other tools so you can take your audience engagement skills to new heights and ensure that both audiences feel equally included!

JASON PAUL

Customer Care Specialist for Slido & Cisco

Alpha Room / Online

16:30 EEST

Develop Your Powerful Voice to Engage and Inspire the Audience 

As a speaker, you may have worked on your speech structure, content and humor, but not much attention was given to your voice. Does your voice work for you in engaging, motivating and inspiring your audience? It’s not only what you say, but how you say it. As a speaker who wants to make an impact, you cannot overlook this powerful tool, your voice. This session will help you speak with a voice that paints pictures in your audience’s mind and that touches the audience’s heart.

CYNTHIA ZHAI

Voice Coach, Professional Speaker and Best-Selling Author

Beta Room / Online

17:05 EEST

How to Design a Presentation Using the Magic of Lego Bricks

Have you ever got stuck in the presentation design process? Have you ever felt you have run out of ideas? Then, this session is for you! You will learn how to effectively bring your creativity to the next level using imagination, fun and LEGO bricks.

LUCA BRUSCHI

Competency Lead at The LEGO Group and Public Speaker

Alpha Room / Online

17:05 EEST

Ask Them Anything: Storytelling & Public Speaking Edition

Our seasoned speakers are here to answer all your burning questions on storytelling and public speaking skills. If you’re feeling anxious before a presentation or are struggling to find a good ice-breaking technique for that high-stake pitch, you’ll leave this Q&A session more confident and prepared to face whatever comes your way.

MINNA TAYLOR, FLORIAN MUECK, CLIFF KENNEDY, CYNTHIA ZHAI, MARGREET JACOBS

Beta Room / Online

17:40 EEST

Ask Them Anything: Slide Design & Presentation Tools Edition

Pick the brains of our expert speakers to unlock the secrets of hybrid presentation design. Don’t be shy! Bring all your questions and get some top-notch advice on anything from charts and fonts to using AI in slides design. The people on that stage have just the expertise to demystify it all.

ASH PEMBERTON, DAMON NOFAR, LUCY WYATT, OLENA ZUBOVA, JASON PAUL

Alpha Room / Online

17:40 EEST

Conference Closing

Time to say our goodbyes and go through what we have learned and our favorite moments of the day! Don't forget that we are known to have a tradition and share very exciting news at the end of our events, so don't miss this one!

BORIS HRISTOV & IVA NACHKOVA

Founders of Presentation Agency 356labs and Present to Succeed Conference

Beta Room / Online

18:10 EEST

Cocktail Party 🍸

A drink well deserved after a day full of golden info and tips. Join us and the speakers, we would love to chat and get your thoughts on the event and our industry! Or just chat about whatever.

SEC lobby 

18:15 EEST

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