Podiums are designed to give the speaker a temporary workstation that will allow him/her to give the most effective presentation possible. Podium features should include a tilted, smooth surface to hold notes, paper, or books, so that the speaker can easily shift his/her gaze from the audience to the reading material. They should also include an enclosed shelf for props, water bottles, a laptop, or other items the speaker will need while giving a presentation. Podiums should be the correct height for the speaker. A podium that is too tall will make the speaker appear small, short, overwhelmed; a podium that is too short will mean the speaker will be forced to bend down or seem hunched over when looking at materials or speaking into a mic. Lecture podiums should also be attractive and fit in nicely with the overall décor of the room, and not draw attention to itself at the expense of the speaker.

Podiums are tools more than they are furniture. As with any tool, a podium must work properly to be effective. Versa Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer in fine office and classroom furniture, offers a standard classroom podium that rivals most others in its price class. The standard podium can be customized to fit the user’s individual needs, fitted with casters for easy mobility, and can be upgraded with additional shelves for laptops or monitor arms. These podiums are ideal for classrooms, convention centers, trade shows, lecture halls, and churches.