Welcome to our Speaker Information Guide
The Cape Cod Technology Council produces informational events throughout the year. They fall into two primary categories – our First Friday series and our Coffee Q&A series, which are described in detail below.
We depend upon those with expertise in their technical field to serve as speakers and help inform our membership on a wide variety of tech topics.
If you are interested in presenting and have a topic you would like to propose, please follow this guide and fill in the Speaker Request Form at the bottom of this page.
Event Types
First Friday Speaker Series
Before the pandemic, this was our signature breakfast series, and we now offer it as a virtual event. It features experts on topical technology issues with broad national and global impact. This event occurs on the First Friday of every month (and occasionally on a different date if there are holiday conflicts) from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
The format is a formal presentation with a moderator which we will assign to each speaker. The typical process is the speaker prepares a slide deck and sends to the moderator, and sometime the week before the presentation they discuss how they will make the presentation. The moderator’s role is to help keep the presentation interactive and take some of the pressure off the speaker. Generally the speaker does all the presenting with the moderator asking planned questions at intervals. The moderator also helps field questions from the audience.
Presentations should be between 30 and 40 minutes long, with the remainder of the hour left for audience questions.
These are open to the public for a nominal charge that is discounted for members.
Coffee Q&A Speaker Series
Our more informal Coffee Q&A sessions happen on most non-First Fridays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, virtually for the time being. These events are an opportunity for our members and local organizations with whom we feel aligned to showcase their businesses, projects and interests. The topics should still be focused on technology and speakers should also relate their topic back to the Cape and our immediate region.
The format is an informal interview between the speaker and the moderator. The moderator will send the speaker a list of questions in advance to be used as a guideline for the discussion. The interview will last 30 to 40 minutes with the remainder of the hour left for audience questions.
These events are free and open to the public.
Audience
Our membership is an eclectic mix which includes tech professionals but also includes individuals with a general interest in technology as well as businesses and other organizations who use technology even though it may not be their primary product or service. Therefore presentations should be tailored to more to a general audience than to tech professionals.
Our members want the sessions to be educational, informative, up-to-date and relevant. Although speakers are welcome to give a short (less than two minutes) plug for their product or service, the presentation should not be a sales pitch and should be primarily educational.
Promotion
We will promote your even through our mailing list, website, social media channels and strategic partnerships. We will need some biographical information and a recent photo, which you can add in the form below. We will need this information at least three weeks before the event.
Recording
The events are conducted on Zoom and are recorded. The recordings are available on our website, our social media channels, and may be shown on public access television. If you have concerns about being recorded please let us know in advance.
Materials
After the event we post on our website any materials you present, such as PowerPoint slides, so that our members can access them. A digital copy of the materials in advance is appreciated. We will assume that the Technology Council has permission to post your materials unless you instruct us otherwise in writing.
Propose a Topic
If you would like to propose a topic please complete the form below. A member of our Program Committee will reach out to discuss it with you.