What is one critical outcome expected from the close of a presentation?

A critical outcome expected from the close of a presentation is to leave a lasting impression and motivate action. This is essential because the conclusion is the last opportunity to engage your audience and reinforce the key messages shared during the presentation. A strong closing can encourage the audience to reflect on what they've learned and inspire them to take specific actions, whether that’s seeking more information, changing their behavior, or implementing the ideas presented.

While entertaining the audience, summarizing main points, and presenting additional resources can enhance a presentation, they do not carry the same weight in terms of achieving the overarching goal of motivating the audience. The primary focus should be on ensuring that your message resonates with the audience long after the presentation has ended, prompting them to respond in a meaningful way. This element of motivation and lasting impression is what ultimately drives the effectiveness of any educational effort in fire and life safety.