SiGMA encourages more diversity in debate with masterclass
The company will also encourage and promote equitable opportunities within all Startup Pitch competitions
SiGMA Group is calling on all minority groups to enrol, free of charge, for its latest initiative – a series of expert-led public speaking lessons taking place on 10, 12, and 17 August. The company has taken action following a plea from the gaming industry for better representation on panels and other speaking opportunities
The master classes will be led by a qualified tutor, and aims to encourage minorities to brush up on their skills, and overcome barriers which may prevent them from participating in debate during conferences and other thought leadership events.
Kelly Kahn, Co-Founder of All-in Diversity Project (seen below) said, ‘If the last few weeks on social media have done anything, it has painted a clear picture that our industry is in desperate need of a more diverse group of speakers, ambassadors and thought leaders.
“It’s wonderful to see various organisations like SiGMA stepping up and recognising they have a role to play in changing the face of our industry. Kudos for this initiative. All-in Diversity Project is honoured to play our role and support businesses and individuals in any way we can.’
The 3-day course is set up to enable attendees to build their confidence by becoming more aware of their voice and how to use it – stage fright was one of the most frequently mentioned reasons for bowing out from opportunities to take part in panels during leading gaming events such as SiGMA.
The initiative to promote equality comes in response to a passionate call from the industry for more balanced representation and a broader diversity of experience during gaming events.
Led by experienced voice-over artist, tutor, and public speaker Pia Zammit, the courses will take place at the end of July over 3 days and will run from 9am till 2pm on the first two days, and from 9am till 12.30pm on the last day of the course. Pia is also Director of Education of the English-Speaking Union Malta branch, and a Public Speaking and Debating Coach.
“Here at SiGMA Group we believe that diversity of experience is crucial when it comes to building strong foundations for this industry to grow – which is why we followed through on feedback from the gaming community and created this masterclass in public speaking. We encourage everyone, especially those from minority communities, to apply,” said Sophie Crouzet, COO at SiGMA Group (seen bottom right).
Day 1 of the masterclass is set to focus on facing fears, non verbal communication and tips on how to write engaging speeches and presentations. Day 2 takes a look at audiences and multi-cultural communication in the morning, before rounding off with vocal awareness and skill building activities, and a Q&A session in the afternoon. The final day in the course will focus on individual presentations and feedback sessions.
See the full agenda below:
Day 1
09:00 – 09:30 Welcome and Ice-Breaker Activity
09:30 – 11:00 Facing our Fears
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 13:00 Non-Verbal Communication
13:00 – 13:15 Coffee Break
13:15 – 14:00 Writing the Best Presentation/Speech
Day 2
09:00 – 09:30 Recap and Activity
09:30 – 10:15 Understanding our Audience
10:15 – 11:00 Multi-Cultural Communication
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 13:00 Vocal Awareness and Variety
13:00 – 13:15 Coffee Break
13:15 – 13:45 All Skills Activities
13:45 – 14:00 Q&A
Day 3
09:00 – 09:15 Recap and Warm Up
09:15 – 10:45 Individual Presentations Masterclass and Feedback
10:45 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Individual Presentations Masterclass and Feedback
Register online or reach out to Lorraine for more information on the course structure.
SiGMA Startup Pitch
In addition to building a workplace where every employee feels valued as an equal, SiGMA is also committed to making sure diversity and inclusivity remains at the heart of our company mindset. Which is why the Startup Pitch – a regular and popular staple feature of all our summits – will encourage and promote equitable opportunities within all pitch competitions; from making sure judging panels are balanced and fair to casting our search for talent outside of conventional boundaries.
SiGMA is also committed to working with partners who share the same commitment towards diversity and inclusion.
SiGMA Americas Virtual:
The SiGMA Americas Virtual show will run from the 13th to the 14th of September, 2021. Features include a fully interactive expo floor, networking chat rooms, and a high-profile lineup of panelists. Beautifully designed booths come equipped with state-of-the-art product displays and chatbox features, while attendees can visit the virtual stage, where a series of panels and keynotes will discuss key topics during the live 2-day conference.
Explore the agenda or check out who’s on the floor plan.
