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You may want to politely remind the program coordinator to consider some of the following points: ROOM SET-UP (Many of these tips work whether food is being served or not) Avoid spacing round tables widely apart in an attempt to fill the available space. A better idea would be to space the tables as close together as practicable (allowing enough room for comfortable waiter and waitress movement). Try to set the head table / speaker area on the long side of the room. MORE
On a small table on the stage sits a jar containing dozens of mosquitoes. As Head of the delegation, I had to give a speech at the opening plenary session. I took my seat at the head table. Using humour is a great way for speakers to connect with their audiences. MORE
A rostrum or dais is a larger platform or stage on which a head table might be placed during a formal dinner. Lecterns versus Podiums Many people confuse the words “lectern”, “podium”, “rostrum”, and “dais”. A lectern is the slanted-top high-desk that you as the speaker stand behind and use when reading your presentation notes. It can be placed in the middle of the stage or off to one side. To remember lectern think lecture. MORE
Making eye c ontact in one place vs. another too often may give your audience reason to wonder if you care more about, say, the execs at the head table more than the room as a whole. If you have silence after the point, don't burn your eyes into your victim - after you stop speaking, just shift your head to the opposite side of the room as you 'vamp' for the pause. source: Wikipedia) What Not To Do Do not look over the heads of your audience. MORE
Always Dress Like You''ll Be At The Head Table. But the people who left my table with nothing because I didn''t bring enough don''t want to hear that. Not just earlier in the program than you thought, but on occasions you might be spontaneously introduced to say a few words because you''re at the head table. MORE
If you have a head table, a joke on one of the persons up there with you will work. If you tell a joke on someone at the head table and he or she doesn't laugh, the audience will not laugh either. Also, if you have four vice-presidents of a company at the head table and you only tease two, the other two may be offended. MORE
Head Table Related Topics 
Manner of Speaking
AUGUST 3, 2020
On a small table on the stage sits a jar containing dozens of mosquitoes. As Head of the delegation, I had to give a speech at the opening plenary session. I took my seat at the head table. Using humour is a great way for speakers to connect with their audiences.
Great Public Speaking
AUGUST 24, 2010
You may want to politely remind the program coordinator to consider some of the following points: ROOM SET-UP (Many of these tips work whether food is being served or not) Avoid spacing round tables widely apart in an attempt to fill the available space. A better idea would be to space the tables as close together as practicable (allowing enough room for comfortable waiter and waitress movement). Try to set the head table / speaker area on the long side of the room.
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Great Public Speaking
OCTOBER 12, 2011
If you have a head table, a joke on one of the persons up there with you will work. If you tell a joke on someone at the head table and he or she doesn't laugh, the audience will not laugh either. Also, if you have four vice-presidents of a company at the head table and you only tease two, the other two may be offended.
Executive Speech Coach
MAY 9, 2012
A rostrum or dais is a larger platform or stage on which a head table might be placed during a formal dinner. Lecterns versus Podiums Many people confuse the words “lectern”, “podium”, “rostrum”, and “dais”. A lectern is the slanted-top high-desk that you as the speaker stand behind and use when reading your presentation notes. It can be placed in the middle of the stage or off to one side. To remember lectern think lecture.
Speak and Deliver
DECEMBER 1, 2013
Always Dress Like You''ll Be At The Head Table. But the people who left my table with nothing because I didn''t bring enough don''t want to hear that. Not just earlier in the program than you thought, but on occasions you might be spontaneously introduced to say a few words because you''re at the head table.
Speak and Deliver
JUNE 14, 2011
Making eye c ontact in one place vs. another too often may give your audience reason to wonder if you care more about, say, the execs at the head table more than the room as a whole. If you have silence after the point, don't burn your eyes into your victim - after you stop speaking, just shift your head to the opposite side of the room as you 'vamp' for the pause. source: Wikipedia) What Not To Do Do not look over the heads of your audience.
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