How can you handle interruptions during a conference presentation?

1 Plan ahead

The first step to handle interruptions is to anticipate them. Before you go to the conference, research your audience, the topic, and the format of the session. Find out who are the experts, the skeptics, and the potential allies in your field. Think of the most common or challenging questions that you might face and prepare clear and concise answers. Also, decide how much time you want to allocate for questions and when you want to take them: at the end, after each section, or throughout the presentation.

2 Acknowledge and address

The second step to handle interruptions is to acknowledge and address them. When someone interrupts you, don't ignore them or get defensive. Instead, thank them for their interest, repeat or rephrase their question or comment, and answer briefly and respectfully. If the interruption is relevant and constructive, you can use it to reinforce your main points or to clarify something. If the interruption is irrelevant or hostile, you can politely redirect the conversation back to your topic or defer the answer to a later time.

3 Control the pace

The third step to handle interruptions is to control the pace of your presentation. Interruptions can disrupt your flow and make you lose track of time. To avoid this, you need to monitor your progress and adjust your speed accordingly. If you have a timer, use it to check how much time you have left and how much you need to cover. If you don't have a timer, use cues from the moderator, the audience, or the slides. If you are running out of time, you can skip or summarize some parts of your presentation or ask the audience to hold their questions until the end.

4 Engage the audience

The fourth step to handle interruptions is to engage the audience. Interruptions can also be an opportunity to interact with your listeners and to get feedback on your presentation. You can use questions, polls, quizzes, or anecdotes to stimulate their curiosity and involvement. You can also invite them to share their opinions, experiences, or suggestions on your topic. By engaging the audience, you can create a rapport, a dialogue, and a sense of collaboration.