Guidelines for Speakers

📝Introduction

Welcome, esteemed speakers, to Devfest Bamenda x Bambili 2023! We are thrilled to have you as part of our event, and we can't wait to witness your knowledge, expertise, and captivating presentations.
As you prepare to submit your proposals on the Sessionize platform, we want to provide you with some fun and engaging guidelines to help you make the most of your speaking opportunity.

🏬 Speaker Sections on the Sessionize

When filling out the Sessionize speaker submission form, make sure to provide detailed and accurate information in the following sections:

Session Details
Session title: Give your session topic. Keep it short, simple and straight to the point.

Description: Describe your topic or session in a compelling and concise manner. Be sure to highlight the key takeaways and the value it will bring to the audience.

Type of Session: You can include either a talk, workshop or other sessions to cater to different learning styles of our Devfest audience. Here are some suggested session types along with a short description and recommended duration:

1. Keynote Talk:
    A keynote talk is a high-level presentation delivered by an industry expert or a thought leader. It sets the tone for the event, highlights key themes, and provides valuable insights or inspiration.  Duration: 10 minutes to 15 hour.
2. Technical Talk:
   A technical talk focuses on a specific topic or Google technology within the field of software development. It can cover concepts, best practices, case studies, or emerging trends. Duration: 15 minutes to 25 minutes.
3. Workshop:
   A workshop is a hands-on session where participants actively engage in practical exercises or coding activities. Workshops are designed to provide a deeper understanding of a particular technology, framework, or skill. Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
4. Demo or Live Coding Session:
   A demo or live coding session showcases a particular technology or tool in action. The presenter demonstrates the features, functionalities, and practical use cases, often accompanied by real-time coding examples.  Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Birds of a Feather (BoF) Session: BoF sessions provide an opportunity for attendees with similar interests to gather and discuss a specific topic in an informal and interactive setting. Participants can exchange ideas, share experiences, and network with like-minded individuals. Kahoot and other games fall in this category. Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Note:
The durations above are simply guidelines, and can be adjusted based on our number of speakers and time frame for our DevFest event. 

Speaker
Speaker name:
Provide your legal name which will be used before, during and after the event.

Speaker tagline:
It could be your personal or company tagline, which will be attached to your name.

Email:
Provide a working email which organizers can use to contact you for important information.

Speaker Biography:
Craft a short and engaging biography that reflects your expertise and captures the attention of potential attendees.

Speaker Photo:
Provide a professional, clear photo of yourself, preferably square, in the formats of JPG or PNG.

Links:
Provide your social media links (Twitter, LinkedIn, Blog, Personal or Company website).

Other Details:
Provide your company name, your job title and add email addresses of Co-speakers if there will be any. These other details are strictly optional.

Agree to the terms of service, and submit your session by filling out the Call for Speakers form Here. Great, Expect to hear from us after the call closes. 

🔖 Submitting a great proposal topic:

To stand out among the proposals, consider the following tips:

• Choose a unique and exciting topic that aligns with the theme of the event. Start with the What (What you will be talking about), Why (Why you think the topic is of relevance), How (How you intend to get your point across to the audience and lastly, WHO(Who your audience is, or who will benefit from your talk). Check out some proposed topics on the event page.
• Clearly articulate the problem your session will address and how it will benefit the attendees.
• Share your personal insights, experiences, and practical examples to make your proposal more compelling.
• Emphasize the value and practicality of your session to demonstrate its relevance to the audience.

💯 Making an Awesome PowerPoint Presentation:

A visually appealing and engaging presentation can enhance your session. Here are some tips:

• Keep your slides visually appealing and uncluttered, using the Google Devfest guidelines, which will be provided to you.
• Use captivating images, graphics, and diagrams to support your content.
• Incorporate storytelling techniques to make your presentation more memorable and relatable.
• Practice effective slide transitions and animations to create a seamless flow.
• Use memes and emojis for a fun and engaging audience

🗣️ Tips on presentation on stage:

To deliver a captivating and impactful presentation, consider the following suggestions:

• Practice your presentation thoroughly to ensure a confident and smooth delivery.
• Maintain good eye contact with the audience to establish a connection.
• Use body language and gestures to convey enthusiasm and engage the audience.
• Speak clearly and at an appropriate pace, allowing for pauses and emphasis when needed.

👏 Mastering Public Speaking and Tackling Audience Questions:

Public speaking can be daunting, but with these tips, you'll shine on stage:

• Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques to calm nerves before going on stage.
• Engage with the audience by asking questions, encouraging participation, and creating a conversational atmosphere.
• Be prepared to answer audience questions confidently and concisely. If you don't know the answer, offer to follow up later.

🔗 Post-event tips:

After presenting your topic, make the most of your experience with these suggestions:

• Document your presentation for future reference or sharing with others, and do share the link with the organizers.
• Post about your session on social media using our event hashtags to expand your reach and engage with attendees, and we will interact with your post.
• Reach out to attendees who expressed interest in your topic, connecting and building valuable professional relationships.

📍 Conclusion:

We are thrilled to have you as a speaker at Devfest Bamenda x Bambili 2023, and we believe that your expertise and engaging presentations will make a lasting impact on our attendees. Follow these guidelines, embrace the opportunity to share your knowledge, and enjoy the rewarding experience of inspiring and educating others. We can't wait to witness your brilliance on stage!