Is the Press Room in Milwaukee? If it is the place I'm thinking of it used to be "Men" only!

Sing in the chest to save your voice. This is especially useful when in a smoke filled room. I avoid that sort of venue when ever possible. Singing from the diaphragm, forcing the air up from the bottom and building the volume helps. As noted, broad range and the right key can help. I have a hard time in church. The organist plays in E and I can barely sing in that key. If I sing the octave up I squeak and if I sing the octave down I gargle. I can't read music so I can't read the harmony. I use intuition, mostly.

I have asked that people quiet down on occasion but one really has to have a great deal of confidence in one's abilities to do that...

CB