It was a good feeling having completed my in-person presentation this past week at the City of Brea’s Chamber of Commerce (my hometown) weekly luncheon . After going through the process of securing a forum and compiling research for delivering my presentation, submitting an outline to the Chamber’s Events Coordinator – which was mostly rejected as she wanted me to focus on water conservation and rebates for businesses, it ultimately was an enlightening experience.
I have given a good number of presentations in the past, yet I did have some pre-event nerves that built as the event drew closer. A few days before the event, I put together a handout for the Chamber members, which consisted of two pages, one visually highlighting the seriousness of the drought and offering ways for businesses/residents to conserve water and make their businesses/households more water efficient. I also included useful websites and options for converting their landscaping from water-thirsty turf to more California-friendly (drought tolerant) landscaping. The second page consisted of a short 2-question questionnaire asking for their feedback on my presentation.
My nerves were quickly eased when I arrived as I was quickly greeted by “Norma” a Chamber member that is a sales manager for a locally publicized magazine that focuses on introducing the area’s residents to the offerings of local businesses. After we both introduced ourselves she asked me to fill out a Bio Sheet giving her some information so that she could introduce me to the Chamber just prior to me speaking. She also escorted me around the room, introducing me to several other members, initiating a conversation with many, ensuring she included me – this certainly made getting acquainted with everyone much easier. During lunch we sat together and got further acquainted with each other. Striking a conversation with a catering business owner and golf course manager.
I managed to steer the conversation towards mandatory water restrictions and they all quickly became intrigued, probing me with questions on why? how? what for? I was prepared for all of these questions not only because of my extensive research, but because over the past few weeks I have been striking similar conversations with family, friends, and acquaintances at such places as social gatherings, soccer matches in the park, and breakfast at the counter of a local diner. I usually start the conversations by bringing up the drought or the new restrictions asking what they think about it, and what they are personally doing about it. This, to me, has been the best part of this entire project – spreading the word about how important it is to ensure the sustainability of fresh water for the state.
As we finished our lunch and conversation, Norma presented me to the Chamber, sharing my Bio with everyone. I then stood, moving to the front of the dining area and delivered my approximately 10 minute presentation. I was at ease, drawing in my audience by making it more personal, mentioning their particular businesses and how the new policies, state and local could impact them – this was made easier by getting acquainted with so many at the beginning of the luncheon. I made sure to deliver the message that supporting the policies would be a positive for them as business owners/residents of Brea, highlighting the reasons for conserving water and improving efficiencies – such as upgrading water consuming equipment and process improvements that involved water use. Another point I made was to recommend that they educate their employees, working towards building a water conserving culture within the workplace. I also made sure the room understood that applying for the various rebates offered by the water district was key to making their return on investment (ROI) easier on their bottom line.
In closing my presentation, I thanked the Chamber for allowing me to speak and opened the floor for questions, which i received four different questions that I was comfortable in answering and was sure my response was well received. After my presentation, the members mingled some more, and a few thanked me for speaking. Some even approached asking more questions, evolving into more conversation about the policies.
I received a thank you email a day later from the Chamber’s Events Coordinator, which mentioned that she was pleased that my presentation was so beneficial to its members. It honestly felt good to know that what I had to say seemed to benefit the Chamber.