Professional speaker Patricia Fripp recommends you get calm:
- Mentally - get your mind focused on your speech, make sure you practice a LONG time before doing your speech, focus on doing your opening and closing from memory (even if you use notes for the rest of your talk)
- Logistically - "make friends" with the stage, arrive early if you can and see where you are going to speak, get on stage to "get the feel of it:" if possible
- Physically - get to know your audience by talking to them and/or shaking hands of people, try not to sit down too much, get up from time to time to keep your energy "high"
Preparing,
Tim
