Speakers Lab.
Speaking Skills + Pitch & Connect
— with a chance of networking.
Three hours. Three core principles. Two presentation rounds. And a structured Pitch & Connect session that matches you with the right people in the room — based on what you offer and what you're looking for.
The talk doesn't end when you stop speaking.
You spend weeks preparing the pitch. You rehearse the deck. You nail the delivery. Then you finish — and the room goes back to small talk, the contact you wanted to make moves to the buffet, and the conversations that actually matter happen without you in them.
"In a rapidly changing world, your most valuable asset is communication — not only in a professional environment but in your personal life too."
Speakers Lab is built for the whole arc. The first half teaches the three core principles that make a presentation actually land. The second half — Pitch & Connect — matches you with people in the room based on what you offer and what you're looking for, so you leave with conversations that mean something.
This is not a networking event with a workshop bolted on. It's a structured methodology for the entire arc, from preparation to handshake to follow-up.
Mindset. Structure. Contrast.
Three principles, easily learned, easily remembered, easily applied. Each one builds on the last. Once you have them, you carry them into every talk that follows.
Mindset & Effort
- How to control your nerves before a pitch or presentation
- How to shift attention from yourself onto your audience
- What signals convince listeners that what you're saying is valuable to them
- Nerves as signal, not as brake
Structure & Message
- How to use structure to elevate your story
- Why some messages belong in your pitch — and some don't
- How to work from a complex idea or research toward one clear core sentence
- Lead with structure, finish with clarity
Contrast
- Why contrast has been considered rhetorical nectar throughout history
- How it sharpens your argumentation and persuasive power
- The practical instruments for taking your audience along with more contrast
- Dynamic pitching — main and side issues, deliberately handled
Four blocks. Two rounds each.
Each block has its own theory moment in the Meeting Room, then breaks into small groups for practical work. Every participant presents twice — once to apply the theory, once to incorporate the structured feedback they receive.
Intro & Mindset
Introduction and orientation. Mindset theory. A shared warm-up and game to settle the room and start the work.
Effort
Theory on effort. Then the first practical round in break-out groups — roles assigned: Speaker, Prompter, Timekeeper, Feedback Giver. Two attempts: try → reflect → second attempt.
Structure & Message
Theory on structure and core-sentence framing. Same block-2 format applied to structure: practical work, breakouts, two presentation rounds with structured feedback.
Contrast
Theory on rhetorical contrast and dynamic pitching. Same format: practical work, breakouts, two rounds. By the end, every participant has applied all three principles in a real practice talk.
Pitch & Connect — matched, not random.
At signup you tell us what you offer and what you're looking for. On the day, you're matched with one or two professionals from the room with complementary needs. The matches stay sealed until the day itself — that's the reason to come and stay.
Pitch & Connect
Your Pitch Match is revealed — your first complementary connection. A structured first conversation based on the shared pitch moment and your respective networking questions.
Pitch & Connect
A second match, a second structured conversation. By now you've practised the principles, used the structure, and you're warm — every conversation gets sharper.
Free networking
Open networking with the whole room. By this point everyone has already had two structured conversations — the room is warm, the introductions are easy, the small talk is gone.
Skills & tools,
and a certificate.
The four skills
- Effort — focus on your audience, not yourself
- Contrast — grab attention and hold it; main and side issues
- Structure — from complex idea to one clear core sentence
- Mindset — achieve your goal while serving your audience
The four tools
- MAP — Mission Actioning Phrase
- Core Sentence Framework — from word, to sentence, to argument
- Visualisation Technique — mental preparation
- Feedback Template — structured peer feedback
Recognition that travels
- Stamp per completed step — full = certified
- Individual Day Report scored on the four principles
- Structured peer-feedback template for use after the event
- LinkedIn digital certificate (Speakers Prepare Certified M-IBC)
Optional self-assessment
- TIPI / SM Scale — handout (English only)
- PRCA-24 — online (English only)
- Used for participants who want a baseline measure of their starting point
One ticket. Everything included.
- Speakers Lab — 4 blocks, 2 presentation rounds per participant
- Pitch & Connect — Pitch Match networking, 2 structured rounds + free networking
- Structured Feedback Template per participant
- Individual Day Report scored on the four principles
- LinkedIn digital certificate (Speakers Prepare Certified M-IBC)
- 2 drinks included · catering on-site
Five steps to your seat.
No payment at signup. The waitlist confirms the date when 35-40 seats are interested. Then a single payment locks your spot.
Open waitlist
Drop your email. No payment, no commitment, no specific date yet.
Threshold
Once 35–40 people show interest, the date moves from possibility to scheduled.
Date poll
Email goes out with 2-3 date options. The most popular date wins.
Payment link
Once date is confirmed, you get a payment link via Stripe or Mollie. €129 secures the seat.
Show up
QR-ticket arrives by email automatically. Scan at the door at Science Park.
Walk in prepared. Walk out connected.
The Speakers Lab waitlist is open. Drop your email and you'll be the first to know when the date is set — typically within 7 days of the threshold being reached.
Join the IRL waitlist