Think back to the last corporate event you attended. What was the highlight? The stunning venue, the insightful breakout sessions, or maybe the generous swag bags? However, if the keynote speaker didn't leave a lasting impression, the event hosts missed a significant opportunity. An effective keynote speaker not only sets the tone for the event but also inspires and engages the audience, leaving them with valuable insights and memorable experiences. Without this impact, even the most well-organized events can fall short of their potential.
The keynote speaker should be among the highlights of any memorable event. These individuals have the potential to shift energy and invigorate crowds. Don’t make the mistake of hiring who’s available – hire who you need. To make this happen, it's important to know how to select the right keynote speaker for your next corporate event.
To ensure corporate events truly resonate with audience members, bringing in a keynote speaker is a useful strategy. Keynote speakers are essentially the “lead” speakers of an event. In some cases, they’re the people your guests are eager to hear from, whether an executive from the company, a thought leader in the industry, or simply a well-known speaker on a topic or theme relevant to the event.
Not only will they speak to your crowd about the topic, but they also typically energize and inspire, kickstarting the event in a memorable and meaningful way. For instance, every year at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), CEO Tim Cook is the familiar face that gets everyone excited about the latest updates to their product lineup.
Let’s be clear: we are not talking about the impact of just any keynote speaker. We mean someone who will light up the stage and inspire your audience. While the goal is to be informative and engaging (not always easy), there are many other benefits to having an impactful keynote speaker.
While we’d love to believe that every person in attendance comes to an event with an open mind about the experience, it’s sadly just not true. Not everyone who walks through the door on day one is going to be fully engaged. When attendees arrive in the wrong frame of mind for an event, your keynote speaker can make a profound difference.
A well-known or highly respected keynote speaker creates buzz for the event, increasing attendance and engagement. Their reputation and expertise often draw interest, making people more eager to attend and participate.
Every year for their INBOUND conference, HubSpot invites well-known celebrities who might not even be relevant to the marketing industry. However, these A-listers, like Ryan Reynolds, Serena Williams, and Reese Witherspoon, are innovators and leaders in their own regard. Frankly, we’d be lying if we said this wasn’t an excellent strategy to get more people in the door to this event. The anticipation of hearing from an industry leader or a celebrity can elevate the event's profile, making it a must-attend for potential attendees.
Depending on the event, some attendees might be hesitant to interact, especially if they happen to be surrounded by unfamiliar faces, even if networking is a priority for them. Though guests may share common interests or a common workplace, it can still be difficult to get them to see themselves as part of a community.
Often their work experiences, successes, and growth occur in silos, but an effective keynote speaker can show them where they overlap. More than that, a skilled speaker can demonstrate how common goals, missions, and values connect them all with the larger community present.
A dynamic keynote speaker can set the tone for the event, encouraging attendees to be more involved and active participants. Their influence can lead to more lively discussions, networking, and interaction throughout the event.
The right keynote speaker is adept at engaging and inspiring an audience. Through their speaking experience and skills, a great presenter can turn a quiet room into people who are eager to participate. When attendees feel connected to the speaker's message, they are more likely to contribute their own ideas and experiences, enhancing the overall value of the event.
Corporate events are often centered around a change, whether that’s the introduction of a new product/service, the marking of a major milestone, or the accomplishment of a goal that opens the door for new (and bigger) goals.
Despite the fact that these changes are usually positive, we know that people can be resistant to change. We often get stuck in our own ways, beliefs, and mindsets. Talented keynote speakers can reframe changes, obstacles, and challenges in a way that prepares an audience to meet them head-on and even invigorates them to seek out creative solutions.
Much like change, “new” can be scary to some, but with the right speaker, new can be exciting. Through motivational speeches that touch on the potential of new ideas or initiatives, keynote speakers can generate enthusiasm about possibilities. Not only can they present new ideas, but they can also lead your audience to creative thinking while energizing them to talk with their new community about possibility and potential.
Along these lines, motivating attendees is another critical impact of keynote speakers. A compelling speaker can inspire the audience by sharing insights and experiences that resonate with them. This motivational boost can translate into higher productivity and enthusiasm in their professional roles. Keynotes often tell stories of overcoming challenges, achieving success, and pushing boundaries, which ignites a renewed sense of purpose and drive among attendees.
A skilled public speaker entertains a crowd while educating them. In that way, a great keynote is a gift to your crowd. It highlights your commitment to their future through the sharing of information in a highly engaging manner.
By bringing fresh perspectives and new knowledge, keynote speakers inspire attendees to stay curious and committed to their personal and professional development. Their presentations often introduce innovative ideas, trends, and best practices, encouraging attendees to seek out additional learning opportunities and apply what they've learned in their own work.
This focus on continuous learning can lead to long-term benefits for both individuals and the organization as a whole, fostering a culture of growth and improvement.
Associating your event with a respected and influential speaker can enhance your company's credibility and prestige. It demonstrates a commitment to providing high-quality content and thought leadership, which can positively reflect on your brand. This association can also attract media attention, further amplifying your brand's visibility and reputation.
Setting clear event goals is crucial to the success of any corporate event. Event goals provide a roadmap for planning and execution, ensuring every aspect of the event aligns with the desired outcomes. Whether the aim is to inspire employees, recognize achievements, foster networking, or introduce new company strategies, having well-defined goals helps create a focused and cohesive event.
Let’s say an event goal is to increase attendee participation. Including a keynote speaker is a great way to work toward accomplishing this goal, but it’s important to be careful when it comes to selection. You must understand your audience and their interests to best determine the right speaker.
Interactive techniques employed by keynote speakers can also boost audience participation. For example, speakers might use live polls, Q&A sessions, or small group discussions to involve the audience directly. These methods not only maintain attendees’ attention but also provide opportunities for them to contribute their own thoughts and questions, fostering a more interactive and inclusive environment.
Additionally, metrics can be tracked by monitoring Q&A submissions, analyzing facial expressions using facial recognition technology like Zenus, and tracking engagement on social media channels. These insights are strong indicators of event success, particularly concerning participation and engagement goals.
Beyond attendee participation, another common goal of corporate events is increased event registration. By bringing in a popular keynote speaker, potential attendees will be more excited to attend, and this could act as a driving factor in boosting registration. This could even be paired with a tiered ticketing structure where VIP tickets grant access to an in-demand speaker, further incentivizing registration.
The point is, an effective keynote speaker isn’t just a means of presenting a new idea or boosting motivation among attendees. These speakers are a valuable resource to help drive strategies, achieve event goals, and even help increase ROI.
Much like other facets of a corporate event, there are several components that go into selecting your keynote speaker, and given what we’ve discussed, it’s not a selection process one should take lightly.
Not every speaker will be available when you want or need them, but that should actually help narrow your search for the best person. Before beginning the search process, you can usually create a short list of options based on event logistics, including where your event is being held and when it will be.
While we’re on the topic of logistics, your event budget will be a determining factor when selecting a keynote. You might discover a speaker who is an industry expert with extensive experience and the ability to energize your attendees, but their fee might be beyond what you’re willing to pay. Finding a speaker who stays within your pre-established budget will help support your event ROI goals as well.
Although some speakers can bridge gaps to captivate an audience, it doesn’t mean they should have to. Knowing your audience is a fundamental part of selecting the appropriate speaker. Not only do you want someone who can entertain and educate, but you also want someone who has experience with similar audiences, industries, or topics.
Additionally, you want someone your audience can connect with. This might mean shared commonalities, similar values, or name recognition. It might also mean you want someone who will specifically challenge a way of thinking. Knowing your audience and their preferences is an important part of the equation.
The other part of the equation is knowing the goal or objective of the keynote. For example, if you have an audience that needs to be motivated and energized, you’ll likely not pick a speaker whose primary strength is informative, technical keynotes. You might want more of a storyteller than a lecturer. Knowing what you want your audience to take away from the experience will inform your decision.
Understanding the goal or objective of the keynote also helps in selecting a speaker who aligns with your event’s theme and audience. For instance, if your objective is to inspire innovation and creativity, a speaker known for their dynamic, forward-thinking presentations would be ideal. Conversely, if the aim is to provide in-depth industry insights or practical knowledge, a speaker with a reputation for delivering comprehensive, data-driven content would be more suitable. Matching the speaker's expertise with your event’s purpose ensures that the keynote will effectively resonate with the audience and achieve the desired impact.
The keynote presentations that truly resonate with attendees are the ones that are personalized for each audience. Before your event, be sure to discuss how the presentation can be personalized in order to create something memorable. This could be talking points about recent accomplishments for the company or even specific audience members. It could even be something simple like touching on business values or a joke about the local destination.
A speaker who takes the time to tailor their content to reflect the specific interests, challenges, and values of your attendees will create a stronger connection and a more memorable experience. By collaborating with the speaker to integrate these personalized elements, you ensure that the presentation not only resonates with the audience but also aligns closely with your event’s objectives and themes.
Many event organizers seeking keynote speakers instantly go for celebrity and name recognition. However, a big name may not always be what will work best. While celebrity and name recognition can certainly draw attention, they don’t always guarantee the most effective keynote experience.
The true value of a keynote speaker lies in their ability to connect with your specific audience and address the core themes of your event. Sometimes, less well-known speakers who bring authentic, relatable experiences and specialized knowledge can have a greater impact. These individuals may offer unique insights, personal stories, or practical advice that resonates more deeply with attendees. Prioritizing alignment with your event’s objectives and audience needs over star power often leads to a more meaningful and memorable presentation.Consider the best fit for your audience and event because sometimes inspiring people can be found in ordinary spaces.
While you should work with an event planner with expertise and connections, you still want to vet the speaker. Not only do you want to know who your speaker is and why they’d be a good fit, but you also want to know who they are not (why they might not be a good fit).
Looking into their experience and having conversations with your potential speakers before hiring them is crucial. This process allows you to ensure your expectations are met and the speaker can move your audience in the direction you have chosen. This approach fosters a true partnership.
While there are many ways to find a speaker, we’ve outlined why you don’t want just any speaker. You could try a Google search or poll your attendees to ask whom they’d like to hear. You could also consider internal candidates or scour social media. Unfortunately, all of those methods are time-consuming, and they still might not result in you finding the right speaker for your event.
Instead, one of the best things you can do is work with an event planner that has connections to speakers and speaker bureaus. Not only are they familiar with the speakers, but they’ve worked hard to build relationships you can leverage to find the right person to meet your needs. In fact, many keep an active roster of exceptional speakers, and once they understand your goals, they can source the perfect person to deliver your keynote.
Further, an event planner not only understands your event thoroughly but also brings years of industry experience. This expertise enables them to effectively communicate your needs, identify your audience, and assess a speaker's skills.
If you’re ready to talk to a team that can help you plan your next corporate event – including a keynote speaker that will leave a lasting impression on your guests – then get in touch with the Bishop-McCann team. We’re event planners with the experience and connections needed to find a speaker who will truly be the highlight of an unforgettable event.