I attend many conferences, both as a speaker and the audience. In general I find of great value, along with reading, they are the best way I know to keep my mind sharp in a fast-moving field.
Usual, of course, speakers at the conference to field questions from the audience after their presentations. From my experience, these questions usually fall into one of three categories:
The question genuine. These are often related to the specific circumstances of a member of the audience: “What do you mean in my company” If several members of the public is asking the same question, he probably has not done well.
The I-know-more-about-that-you question. Usually comes from someone who feels aggrieved that they were on stage instead, and references often esoteric theory which takes place the main points of the speaker. These questions can be important if a speaker woefully unprepared, but most are just plain rude.
The question is not. These begin “Not really a question, more of a commentary”, continue for several minutes, and contain the minimum information.
As you can see, it seems of little value in most onstage Q & A, and see it more as a ritual of a positive addition to a conference. To test this hypothesis, we removed dConstruct Q & A in 2010. We save enough time to add extra speakers to the lineup, and received no negative feedback.
I think it’s important for a speaker talk to your audience after a session – but there must be a better way. So I created a small campaign – Sorry, no questions, the speakers who prefer an alternative to the awkwardness on stage Q & A The idea is simple: an agent must decline on stage questions, and point to the URL of the campaign for an explanation. Instead, she should tell your audience where they can find to talk in person, preferably immediately after. Then you can really hear and discuss issues without the pressures in the soundbites reward scenario of vision.
Sorry, no questions is now my preferred policy for public speaking. If it’s something you like to join, please join and spread the word. If not for you, that’s fine. I will do my part to do only meaningful questions.