ConferenceConference

J.Shirmentogoo J.Shirmentogoo

Phasing effects

Direct sound and reflect sound combine and interfere

Generates comb filtering effect, deterimental to audio

Also shows up with multiple microphones

Phasing & Multiple Microphones If multiple mics on

at the same time, use the 3:1 rule:

Separate mics at 3x the distance from talkers

Comb effects aren’t noticable

(With automixing, this shouldn’t be an issue)

PZM Microphones

Omnidirectional microphone capsule pointed down at a surface

Results in hemispherical pickup pattern

Works best on large flat surface (Middle of conference table)

Conference table placement PZM microphone in center Beware environmental noise

Lecterns

PCC works great on a lectern Don’t hide it inside!

Audience microphones

Hanging microphones useful

(Upstairs node has Audio-Technica AT853-a)

Need to carefully lay out for good coverage

The Structure of a MeetingThe Structure of a Meeting

One of the most common One of the most common requirements of business English is requirements of business English is holding meetings in English. The holding meetings in English. The following sections provide useful following sections provide useful language and phrases for language and phrases for conducting meetings and making conducting meetings and making contributions to a meeting. contributions to a meeting.

Meetings generally follow a more or Meetings generally follow a more or less similar structure and can be less similar structure and can be divided into the following parts:divided into the following parts:

••I - IntroductionsI - Introductions

Opening the MeetingOpening the MeetingWelcoming and Introducing Welcoming and Introducing ParticipantsParticipantsStating the Principal Objectives Stating the Principal Objectives of a Meetingof a MeetingGiving Apologies for Someone Giving Apologies for Someone Who is AbsentWho is Absent

II - Reviewing Past II - Reviewing Past BusinessBusiness

Reading the Minutes of the Reading the Minutes of the Last MeetingLast MeetingDealing with Recent Dealing with Recent DevelopmentsDevelopments

III - Beginning the MeetingIII - Beginning the Meeting

Introducing the AgendaIntroducing the AgendaAllocating Roles (secretary, Allocating Roles (secretary, participants)participants)Agreeing on the Ground Agreeing on the Ground Rules for the Meeting Rules for the Meeting

IV - Discussing ItemsIV - Discussing Items

Introducing the First Item on Introducing the First Item on the Agendathe AgendaClosing an ItemClosing an ItemNext ItemNext ItemGiving Control to the Next Giving Control to the Next ParticipantParticipant

V - Finishing the MeetingV - Finishing the Meeting

SummarizingSummarizingFinishing UpFinishing UpSuggesting and Agreeing on Suggesting and Agreeing on Time, Date and Place for the Time, Date and Place for the Next MeetingNext MeetingThanking Participants for Thanking Participants for AttendingAttendingClosing the MeetingClosing the Meeting

Opening the MeetingOpening the Meeting

Good morning/afternoon, Good morning/afternoon, everyone.everyone.If we are all here, let'sIf we are all here, let's. . . get started . . . get started

start the meeting.start the meeting.

. . . start. . . . start.

Welcoming and Welcoming and Introducing ParticipantsIntroducing Participants Please join me in welcoming Please join me in welcoming

(name of participant)(name of participant)We're pleased to welcome We're pleased to welcome (name of participant)(name of participant)It's a pleasure to welcome It's a pleasure to welcome (name of participant)(name of participant)I'd like to introduce (name of I'd like to introduce (name of participant)participant)I don't think you've met (name I don't think you've met (name of participant)of participant)

Stating the Principal Stating the Principal Objectives of a MeetingObjectives of a Meeting

We're here today toWe're here today toOur aim is to ...Our aim is to ...I've called this meeting in I've called this meeting in order to ...order to ...By the end of this By the end of this meeting, I'd like to meeting, I'd like to have ... have ...

Giving Apologies for Giving Apologies for Someone Who is AbsentSomeone Who is Absent

I'm afraid.., (name of I'm afraid.., (name of participant) can't be with us participant) can't be with us today. She is in...today. She is in...I have received apologies for I have received apologies for the absence of (name of the absence of (name of participant), who is in participant), who is in (place). (place).

Reading the Minutes of Reading the Minutes of the Last Meetingthe Last Meeting

First let's go over the report First let's go over the report from the last meeting, which from the last meeting, which was held on (date)was held on (date)Here are the minutes from Here are the minutes from our last meeting, which was our last meeting, which was on (date) on (date)

Moving ForwardMoving Forward

So, if there is nothing else we So, if there is nothing else we need to discuss, let's move on need to discuss, let's move on to today's agenda.to today's agenda.Shall we get down to Shall we get down to business?business?Is there any other business?Is there any other business?If there are no further If there are no further developments, I'd like to move developments, I'd like to move on to today's topic on to today's topic

Introducing the AgendaIntroducing the Agenda

Have you all received a copy of Have you all received a copy of the agenda?the agenda?There are three items on the There are three items on the agenda. First,agenda. First,Shall we take the points in this Shall we take the points in this order?order?If you don't mind, I'd like to ... go If you don't mind, I'd like to ... go in order (OR)in order (OR)skip item 1 and move on to item skip item 1 and move on to item 33I suggest we take item 2 last. I suggest we take item 2 last.

Allocating Roles Allocating Roles (secretary, participants)(secretary, participants)

(name of participant) has (name of participant) has agreed to take the minutes.agreed to take the minutes.(name of participant) has (name of participant) has kindly agreed to give us a kindly agreed to give us a report on this matter.report on this matter.

(name of participant) will (name of participant) will lead point 1, (name of lead point 1, (name of participant) point 2, and participant) point 2, and (name of participant) point 3.(name of participant) point 3.(name of participant), would (name of participant), would you mind taking notes you mind taking notes today? today?

Agreeing on the Ground Agreeing on the Ground Rules for the MeetingRules for the Meeting

We will hear a short report on We will hear a short report on each point first, followed by a each point first, followed by a discussion round the table.discussion round the table.I suggest we go round the I suggest we go round the table first.table first.The meeting is due to finish The meeting is due to finish at...at...

We'll have to keep each We'll have to keep each item to ten minutes. item to ten minutes. Otherwise we'll never get Otherwise we'll never get through.through.We may need to vote on We may need to vote on item 5, if we can't get a item 5, if we can't get a unanimous decision.unanimous decision.

Introducing the First Item Introducing the First Item on the Agendaon the Agenda

So, let's start withSo, let's start withShall we start with. .Shall we start with. .So, the first item on the So, the first item on the agenda isagenda isPete, would you like to kick Pete, would you like to kick off?off?Martin, would you like to Martin, would you like to introduce this item?introduce this item?

Closing an ItemClosing an Item

I think that covers the first I think that covers the first item.item.Shall we leave that item?Shall we leave that item?If nobody has anything else If nobody has anything else to add, to add,

Next ItemNext Item

Let's move onto the next Let's move onto the next itemitemThe next item on the agenda The next item on the agenda isisNow we come to the Now we come to the question of. question of.

Giving Control to the Giving Control to the Next ParticipantNext Participant

I'd like to hand over to Mark, I'd like to hand over to Mark, who is going to lead the next who is going to lead the next point.point.Right, Dorothy, over to you. Right, Dorothy, over to you.

SummarizingSummarizing

Before we close, let me just Before we close, let me just summarize the main points.summarize the main points.To sum up, ...To sum up, ...In brief,In brief,Shall I go over the main Shall I go over the main points? points?

Finishing UpFinishing Up

Right, it looks as though Right, it looks as though we've covered the main we've covered the main itemsitemsIs there Any Other Is there Any Other Business? Business?

Suggesting and Agreeing Suggesting and Agreeing on Time, Date and Place on Time, Date and Place for the Next Meetingfor the Next Meeting

Can we fix the next meeting, Can we fix the next meeting, please?please?So, the next meeting will be So, the next meeting will be on... (day), the . . . (date) of.. on... (day), the . . . (date) of.. . (month) at.... (month) at...What about the following What about the following Wednesday? How is that?Wednesday? How is that?So, see you all then. So, see you all then.

Thanking Participants for Thanking Participants for AttendingAttending

I'd like to thank Marianne and I'd like to thank Marianne and Jeremy for coming over from Jeremy for coming over from London.London.Thank you all for attending.Thank you all for attending.Thanks for your Thanks for your participation. participation.

Closing the MeetingClosing the Meeting

The meeting is closed.The meeting is closed.I declare the meeting closed I declare the meeting closed

Thank youThank you

We can all think …We can all think …