subject: Running A Public Speaking Retreat Over A Weekend [print this page] It's impossible to imagine why it's quite so difficult to find a public speaking retreat in the UK.
The most important thing when planning a retreat is the venue. The venue has got to be right. A busy hotel in the middle of town, hundreds of guests and noisy distractions will not create the correct ambiance for your students. Roads create traffic and monstrous noise, all of those frustrated motorists in a rush to get somewhere.
So we need a venue which is secluded, small and out of town, ideally in rolling countryside. Access by bus, train and car is important and ideally not too far away form a big city or town. The choice of venue will make or break your event. So being away from it all, surrounded by greenery has a profoundly calming effect. You want to create a reflective and calm environment for your class and they'll appreciate that effort.
The main auditorium where you'll be working should be light, airy and spacious. Lots of group activities are suitable for a chairs and desk setup, but the group will also require to utilise the open space. Arrange in advance the student numbers and requirements, a detailed room set up is invaluable.
In a perfect world, the venue will also provide suitably priced accommodation. This must be checked for appropriateness before you start advertising the event. If the venue doesn't have enough appropriate accommodation then think agai and ask the question, is this an ideal venue? Alternatively, you will have to visit and assess all the local hotels and B&Bs and ensure that they are going to be of the required standard for you guests.
This activity is time intensive but an intefral part of the marketing strategy. Providing your students will essential information will warm them to you. However, as part of good customer service, if you do all of the preparatory work on behalf of your guests, it will help them come to the conclusion that you're a serious business and that you care for their needs.
There is also the opportunity to identify a number of different types of accommodation at different budgets. Giving students good options to choose from is the best way of demonstrating that you care.
The next consideration is food. It's not just an army that marches on its stomach. When arrangements are going well, you can expect the venue to produce fresh quality food in house, as well as cater for special dietary requirements. If the accommodation is on site, it's great if the students can eat together as it is part of the shared experience. If the venue doesn't serve evening food, it's useful to find a local pub or inexpensive restaurant where the students can dine and commune together. A major strength of the weekend is to bond the group together in a cohesive and supportive way.
The group dynamic is all important in this type of course. The planning of the weekend and acquiring the ideal venue will almost guarantee a quality learning experience. Good luck!
