How to Deliver an Effective Vote of Thanks — The Professional Way to Close Business Presentations

In business presentations, audiences remember two moments most clearly: the opening and the closing. Yet while organisations carefully plan speaker introductions, the vote of thanks—the final impression the audience receives—is often treated as an afterthought. This is a missed opportunity. Executives in Japan and global firms can significantly elevate their professional brand by mastering this overlooked role.

Presentations follow a predictable cadence: announcements, sign-ups, introductions, the main talk—and finally, the closing remarks. The vote of thanks occurs at the moment when:

• The audience forms their last impression of the speaker

• The audience forms their last impression of you

• The event’s overall professionalism is evaluated

A weak or self-centered closing can ruin the emotional arc of the event.
A strong, concise, intelligent thank-you message elevates the entire experience.

Mini-Summary:
The vote of thanks shapes the audience’s final impression of both the event and you.

Two common errors undermine professionalism:

1. Turning the thank-you into a summary

This makes it look like you are competing with the speaker or trying to steal the spotlight.

2. Turning the thank-you into a personal opinion session

Audiences want closure—not your long commentary. At this point they are ready to leave, and wasting their time damages your brand.

Most thank-you speeches fail because the person:

• Talks too long

• Rambles

• Tries to sound smarter than the speaker

• Forgets their role is to reinforce the event’s value, not their own ego

Mini-Summary:
Stay short, sharp, relevant—and avoid competing with the speaker.

A powerful example comes from Thierry Porte, former President of Morgan Stanley Japan.
At an event where the main speaker delivered a disastrous, text-heavy presentation, Thierry’s thank-you remarks stood out:

• Short

• Intelligent

• Concise

• Elegant

Years later, the details of the content are forgotten—but the professionalism he displayed remains vivid. His brief comments elevated both the event and his personal brand, demonstrating the hidden power of this role.

Mini-Summary:
A smart, concise thank-you can outshine the main presentation and strengthen your professional reputation.

T — Thanks

Open with a direct, culturally appropriate expression of gratitude.
Consider:

• Personal relationship

• Formality of the event

• Cultural expectations (e.g., using sama, Sensei, or formal titles in Japan)

Example:
“Thank you very much, Suzuki-sama.”

I — Interest

Identify one point from the speech you believe resonated most with the audience.
This requires listening carefully and making a fast judgment.

Avoid summarising the whole talk—choose one meaningful highlight.

S — Formal Thanks

If an MC will wrap up the event, stop here and hand over.
If you must conclude the event yourself, offer a formal closing:

Example:
“May I ask everyone to join me in expressing our warm appreciation for Dr. Greg Story for his insightful presentation today.”

Then initiate applause to cue the audience.

Mini-Summary:
The TIS model ensures clarity, brevity, professionalism, and a strong final impression.

Most MCs and thank-you speakers perform poorly because they receive no training.
This creates a strategic advantage for you.

By mastering:

• Precise timing

• Genuine appreciation

• Cultural awareness

• Crisp communication

…you can easily stand out as a top 1% professional in event management roles.

Mini-Summary:
Understanding how to thank a speaker effectively gives you a simple, high-impact way to strengthen your personal brand.

• The vote of thanks is a powerful branding moment often overlooked in business events.

• Avoid summarizing, rambling, or competing with the speaker.

• Use the TIS model (Thanks, Interest, Formal Thanks) for a polished conclusion.

• Even basic competence in these roles places you among the top 1% of professionals.

Request a Free Consultation to learn how Dale Carnegie Tokyo trains leaders to speak confidently, host events professionally, and deliver high-impact closing remarks.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.