If there are cocktails before dinner, offer water or a non alcoholic drink. As a speaker, you should always decline alcohol. No matter how well you think you can tolerate liquor, even one drink can impact your speech. You would be surprised at how many meeting planners keep offering me alcohol before my speech, just at the time I should be confident, prepared, and interested in my group. Actually, as meeting planner, you should never schedule a speech with any heavy content after a meal.
People are too relaxed.
If they have been drinking, they will not be open to a message about how they can better perform in their jobs or learn about new technology for their industry. We will be happy to send you Patricia Fripp's demo video and press kit. You may reprint or repost this material as long as Patricia Fripp's name and contact information is included.