In today’s highly competitive and dynamic business landscape, the success of a conference event relies heavily on its ability to engage, inspire and inform attendees.
One way to do this is by hiring an effective keynote speaker, who can set the tone for the entire event, captivate the audience, and deliver powerful insights that align with the conference’s objectives and are relevant to the attendees.
What Is A Keynote Speaker?
A keynote speaker is an individual who makes the primary speech at a conference or other professional event. They’re typically experts in their field of work, whether that be business, technology, leadership, or professional and personal development.
No matter their industry, a keynote speaker possesses the skills to engage an audience with thought-provoking storytelling, valuable professional insights, and innovative ideas that get the audience thinking outside the box.
Keynote speakers are selected for their unique ability to inspire and motivate their audiences, and tend to bring a fresh perspective to a subject that resonates with attendees and leaves a lasting impact.
There are many reasons why a conference needs a keynote speaker in order to succeed:
1. They help to set the overall direction of the conference.
A keynote speaker helps to establish the main theme and tone of the entire conference, providing attendees with a clear sense of purpose and direction for the event.
Their speeches reflect the core objectives that the conference has set out, and align with any individual sessions that might take place. This helps to create a cohesive experience that keeps attendees engaged and on track throughout the event.
2. They are able to share professional insight and expertise.
Keynote speakers are usually industry experts or subject matter experts, with unique insights, experience and knowledge that isn’t available anywhere else.
They have a deep level of understanding within their industry or subject, which provides attendees with valuable takeaways that they can implement in their own professional and personal lives.
3. They offer diverse perspectives.
Whether it’s a global perspective on industry trends, lessons learned from experience, or unique approaches to problem solving, a keynote speaker can challenge conventional thinking and encourage attendees to view issues from multiple angles.
4. They inspire and motivate effectively.
One of the most significant advantages of a keynote speaker is their ability to inspire and motivate attendees. A compelling speech can ignite passion, instill confidence, and encourage individuals to take action, whether that’s through storytelling, the telling of real-life experiences, or practical advice.
5. They enhance the credibility and overall prestige of the conference
High-profile conference speakers attract media attention and industry recognition, which can have a positive impact on the conference’s reputation, as well as the business behind it.
6. They help to boost attendance levels.
Many attendees would be more motivated to register for a conference if it features experts whose work they admire. This, in turn, helps organisers achieve their participation goals and create a well-attended event.
How to Find the Right Keynote Speaker
Finding the right keynote speaker for your conference is vital, as the wrong speaker can make or break an event.
There are key factors that need to be considered when choosing a conference speaker:
1. The conference’s objectives
The chosen speaker needs to align with the conference’s overall objectives and goals, otherwise the conference could lose all credibility, relevance and impact.
A speaker who understands the core mission and audience expectations will effectively contribute to the overall success of the event for both attendees and organisers.
2. Budget
Finding the right speaker within budget is essential, but it doesn’t mean compromising on quality.
At JLA, we believe that there’s a great speaker available for every budget. While high-profile speakers can be a major draw, we also offer a wide selection of expert speakers who deliver exceptional value at more accessible price points.
Our expertise ensures that conference organisers always get the best possible speaker within their financial parameters, making the most of investment and helping to achieve desired conference goals without any overspending.
3. Audience
Understanding the demographic, interests and professional lives of the audience is key to selecting the right speaker for a business conference.
The speaker should resonate with attendees, addressing their specific needs, challenges, and aspirations to ensure meaningful engagement.
How can JLA help?
Here at JLA Speakers, we’re proud to have a wide variety of conference speakers on our roster. From after dinner speakers to leadership speakers, we’re dedicated to helping you find the perfect conference speaker.
We offer a comprehensive support service, beginning with a deep understanding of your event’s goals and desired audience impact. You’ll then be assigned a dedicated Account Manager who works to understand your culture and processes to provide tailored support.
Curated Lists
JLA curates a shortlist of suitable talent, complete with detailed insights. We provide their biographies and photographs, as well as our own personal recommendations and links to their previous speeches so you can see how they work.
Once you’ve selected your preferred shortlist, we can quickly check with the talent to ensure their availability and negotiate potential fees, all the while assisting with any other considerations you may be making in order to help you make your final decision.
Travel and Accommodation
At JLA, we take pride in removing the hassle of organising travel and accommodation for your chosen speaker. From flights and ground transportation to hotel bookings and special requests, we manage every detail with precision and efficiency to ensure that your chosen speaker’s journey to the conference is smooth and stress-free.
We believe that removing this stress allows you to focus on delivering a successful conference without unnecessary distractions, as we understand that hosting a conference is already demanding, so we take pride in being able to take this burden off your shoulders.
Technical Requirements & Logistical Arrangements
We ensure that your chosen speaker is fully prepared to deliver an outstanding performance that aligns perfectly with your event’s objectives.
Our team handles all technical requirements and logistical arrangements, covering production equipment, dress codes, and even dietary preferences.
To guarantee the best impact, we also act as the bridge between you and the speaker, ensuring that their conference presentation is perfectly tailored to your attendees and your conference’s goals. To ensure this, we facilitate and participate in briefing calls to provide the speaker with an in-depth understanding of your event’s cultural background, commercial context, and overall strategic goals.
As well as this, if the worst was to happen and your chosen speaker had to cancel due to illness, we’re always on hand to provide a suitable replacement quickly.
With over three decades of experience, JLA works to ensure a seamless event by focusing on both major and minor details, aligning speaker performance with your objectives. Throughout the process, JLA remains committed to providing expert guidance and round-the-clock support, ensuring the best possible experience.
To find the right speaker and accelerate the success of your conference, contact us today.