Welcome Speakers!
This webpage is your guide with information and details to help you create a top-rated presentation, including action items and due dates. Please share this guide with the team members involved in preparing your presentation assets.
To help facilitate our planning and promotions, please complete our speaker questionnaire ASAP.
Table of Contents
Due Dates & Timelines
ASAP: Begin thinking of ideas for your topic and key takeaways.
By February th7: Please contact Patricia White (pwhite@directsellingnews.com) and schedule a zoom/call with her to discuss topic and outline.
February 14th: Finalize topic and outline. Share with the DSN team.
March 3rd: Visual assets due. (PPT/Keynote/Video)
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All presentation files will be converted to Keynote for the actual show, so if you are able to provide your presentation in Keynote, that is helpful. If not, we can convert what you provide, but please note that sometimes not everything converts exactly as intended.
March 18th: Final teleprompter script due if applicable. Use of teleprompter is optional.
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You're welcome to use either the Notes section in your Keynote/Powerpoint file as your prompter, or provide a Word document with Slide # headings (e.g., Slide 9) and then the scripting for that particular slide.
Presentation Requirements
Presentations are 15-18 minutes maximum.
Think TED-style content delivery: Concise. Valuable. Impactful.
Tips for a Top-Rated Presentation
The DSU audience favors content that provides transparent how-to takeaways backed with statistics and examples.
Include stories of what went wrong or a challenge and how you solved it, identified gaps, blind spots and the lessons learned.
Screen dimensions are set to a standard 16:9 ratio.
Onsite Speaker Services
At the event, you will have access to the following:
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The stage set up includes downstage monitors to view your current and next slide as well as notes if needed. For speakers who prefer to use bullet style notes, please insert notes per slide within your PPT or Keynote file (Keynote preferred, but not required).
We recommend a maximum of 12 lines of text in the notes section per slide. If notes exceed 12 lines, duplicate the slide to break notes across the same visual.
A speaker timer clock will also be on a monitor downstage.
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Speakers using slides will have a remote clicker to self-advance from stage.
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Access to a teleprompter is also available. For speakers who prefer to present from a script, please provide the final script in a Word doc by March 18.
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DSN provides a makeup artist to help with shine control and fly away hairs only. On the day of your presentation, please arrive camera/stage-ready.
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Rehearsal time is available upon request. To request rehearsal time, email producer@directsellingnews.com.
How to Submit Assets
Speakers can submit assets by uploading below or emailing a link via Dropbox, WeTransfer or other file sharing services to pwhite@directsellingnews.com.
For questions regarding your presentation, please contact Patricia White pwhite@directsellingnews.com or call (214) 725-1981.
Thank you for being a DSU Speaker!
Schedule & Sessions
TUESDAY,
MARCH 25
CEO Forum
(INVITE-ONLY)
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
(lunch provided)
Workshops
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Choose from four different workshops for in-depth insights. Stay tuned for details and workshop descriptions.
Cocktail Reception & Welcome
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
DSU Global Celebration*
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
WEDNESDAY,
MARCH 26
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Check in, coffee & continental breakfast
General Session 1
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
(lunch provided)
General Session 2
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Networking Reception
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY,
MARCH 27
General Session 1
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
(lunch provided)
General Session 2
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
*Additional registration required
Hotel Accommodations
Speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodations.
Texican Court
501 W Las Colinas Blvd.
Irving, Texas 75039
Reservations: (833) 839-4226
The block rate has expired, but rooms may still be available.
The Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas
400 West Las Colinas Blvd.
Irving, Texas 75039
Reservations: (877) 619-2539
The block rate has expired, but rooms may still be available.
QUICK TIP:
If you receive a notification that the group rates are unavailable through the link, try modifying your dates since one or more days may be sold out within the group.
You can also call Central Reservations at 1-877-619-2539 to check availability.
MAKING RESERVATIONS BY PHONE
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Dial 1-877-619-2539 toll free. Specify the Direct Selling News Room Block.
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Provide your arrival date and number of nights.
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Have a credit card available to hold the room.
RESERVATION INFORMATION
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The last day to book within your group block is Monday, March 3rd, 2025.
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Check-in time is after 3pm and check-out time is 12pm.
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The hotel has a 72-hour cancellation policy which means that any cancellations must be processed more than 72 hours prior to the arrival date to avoid a late cancellation fee in the amount of 1 night’s room and tax.
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We are only holding the number of rooms that was outlined on your contract (as noted above). If your group fills the entire block, we can check availability at that time to see if we can add more rooms if needed. We cannot guarantee that additional rooms will be available at the group rate.
About DSU
DSU is a free multiple-day Masterclass event with a TED-Style show flow for active direct selling executives and event sponsors.
Presentations include a combination of subject matter experts and executive leaders from today’s prominent direct-selling brands.
DSU is the largest gathering of direct selling corporate executives laser-focused on the entire community’s growth, well-being and future. We know that our audience will gain tremendous value from the stories, unique perspectives and insights you have to share.
We have a collaborative approach working with presenters to identify topics of their choice. Our goal is to create a space and platform for each presenter to share their areas of strength, unique perspectives and expertise.
If you have not finalized your topic with us, please contact Patricia White at pwhite@directsellingnews.com or call/text at (214) 725-1981.
In-Person Audience Demographics
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95% of attendees are direct selling corporate executives
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40%+ attendees are first-time participants to DSU
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150+ direct selling companies attend DSU
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85+ CEOs and Founders attend DSU
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·20+ best-in-class event supplier sponsors