Comments on: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium

By: donna papacosta

donna papacosta — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:46:43 +0000

Bob beat me to the punch. I was going to say that it's a good thing you were wearing pants (I presume).
I have heard many people mis-use "lectern" and "podium." I guess we have to watch out for the word "clear" too! Thanks for sharing, Tod.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:56:44 +0000

And… what was it like to be at a clear lectern?

By: stageguy

stageguy — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:23:17 +0000

Misuse of the word 'podium' is very common in the presentation/entertainment industry. Best to avoid using the term altogether, and call it a 'platform', 'riser', 'rostrum', or 'dais' instead.

By: George

George — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:20:03 +0000

Funny, Tod, but you have to master the lingo of the client, not yours, when presenting the requirements.
I thought of hydro-power and asked for "live power" (in-traductible, as opposed to generators) before a remote wedding in Transylvania, and I was given the toughest bodyguard in the county.

By: Barb Lindner Coates

Barb Lindner Coates — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:16:32 +0000

I had just completed a survey sent out by IABC Vancouver regarding suggestions for future events – and recommended you as a guest speaker. Went to your website to see what you've been up to lately and read
this story. Have since forwarded it to the Events committee and various other colleagues in the world of communications. Will be interesting to see how long it takes for this joke to circulate.

By: handwashcold

handwashcold — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:29:56 +0000

That's great! omg…still giggling…

By: Bob Goyetche

Bob Goyetche — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:20:01 +0000

too funny – but yet another thing to convince you it's right to present wearing pants.

By: Darren

Darren — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:07:47 +0000

I was giving a talk in Winnipeg last winter at Red River College. The lecture hall was underground (like much of the campus I gather). About five minutes into my talk, I heard this odd spattering sound from the corner of the stage. I look over and water is not dripping, but pouring onto the stage from the ceiling.

I put a garbage basket underneath it and, in about five minutes, it stopped. But still, very odd.