Public Speaking Academy - Pecha Kucha

PechaKucha is a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each. The format, which keeps presentations concise and fast-paced, powers multiple-speaker events called PechaKucha Nights (PKNs). We’re lucky to have an official PKN series in Manchester – follow @PechaKucha_MCR for details for upcoming events. 

This is the first time JCI Manchester has run a PechaKucha style event and we will be using it as part of the selection process our public speaking competition winners. 

The prizes include…

One person to co-host the North West Charity Awards (to be held on Friday 12th October 2018)

One person to host the Manchester Young Talent Awards (to be held on Thursday 15th November 2018)

One person to represent JCI Manchester in the JCI UK Public Speaking Competition (held as part of the JCI UK National Convention, 23rd to 25th November 2018)

Three people to represent JCI Manchester in the JCI UK Debating Competition (held as part of the JCI UK National Convention, 23rd to 25th November 2018)

To enter, please email Ilona Alcock at ilona.alcock@gmail.com, and let us know which prize(s) you want, what public experience you have, and why you want to win. Entries must be in by 27th July, and you must be a registered JCI member. 

The judges will select the best entries and competitors will be asked to deliver a PechaKucha style presentation with the topic “Better Me, Better We”. Final results for reach prize will be announced on the night. 

If you’re not competing, please book an audience ticket and come to cheer our speakers on!

About our speaker

Ilona Alcock - Sector Group Manager, pro-manchester and Co-ordination Director, JCI Manchester

Ilona is the Sector Group Manager at pro-manchester, the largest business development organisation in the North West. Having held a diverse range of roles in the past – everything from Commercial Litigation Solicitor in DLA Piper UK LLP to running a bespoke software development company with her husband – Ilona has a gained a real insight into what makes different businesses work.Outside of her day jobs, Ilona has been an active JCI member since 2011 and was President of JCI Sheffield in 2014. 

Highlights of her JCI career include making the European finals of both debating and public speaking, launching the JCI UK Ten Outstanding Young Persons Awards and winning European awards for two local projects (one of which was also shortlisted globally). She utilises her experience to run training courses on public speaking and networking for a range of audiences, including the JCI UK Public Speaking Academy.

Since losing a friend to suicide in August 2015, Ilona has become a passionate advocate for mental health issues. This has included running trail marathons for Mind, climbing the national three peaks for Anxiety UK and taking part in numerous panel discussions.