Wednesday 21 November 2012

Cut Cut Cut the Clattering Coffee Cups

One of my pet hates is being at an event and really wanting to focus and learn from the speaker who is presenting but then being caught up in the medley of noise that comes from coffee cups or food being cleared away.

The noise is a distraction and puts pressure on the speaker and affects the participants in the room. Somehow the moving of coffee cups, saucers and spoons creates a life all of its own. 

Usually I wouldn’t notice as much but at an event to me the distracting sound becomes even more pronounced. I have no idea really why it is allowed to happen? The event planner can clearly state as many do that certain things can or cannot happen and most venues or caterers work accordingly so all should be well. But, sometimes it just doesn’t happen.

Only recently I was at a charity fundraising dinner; the coffee had been served, the key speaker was talking about her experiences of people and their moments of personal anguish, the audience were captivated as they were on the emotional journey and just as the speaker was reaching the pinnacle of her speech along came the people to clear away the coffee cups. The noise affected both the speaker and some of the audience and I was left wondering why it had been allowed to happen?

Imagine that you are reaching the breath-taking finale of your favourite film and in the background you hear some noise that distracts you. Well it would be annoying (to put it mildly) and on a film production you can be sure that the Director would have called CUT!! so why don’t event planners do the same? Yes the events are not films but they are still productions and should be treated with the same professionalism as any great film producer will bring to bear.

A clattering coffee cup certainly has no place at any event and even more so when a hybrid event is being produced. Just think how quickly your remote audience will turn off if all they can hear is the clinking together of cups and cutlery?

It is essential that the catering staff understand that there are only certain times when they can deliver the food and drinks to ensure that they don’t appear as extras in your event.

Attention to detail is key to producing professional events and if you believe that your event is about to be affected by the clatter of coffee cups you should shout "CUT" very loudly. 

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