We work with a range of clients to engage their people and celebrate teams, a strategically chosen keynote speaker can set the tone of the event while inspiring your delegates in a meaningful way. Before you jump into hiring the hottest new keynote in town, it’s important to understand whether they support the strategic aims of your event and the current mindset of the people in the room to make the most from your investment.

Ivan Hollingsworth is a workplace culture expert and founder of Centric Consultants, an organisation dedicated to helping individuals, teams and organisations to thrive. Speaking about how organisational mindset can have a direct impact on the success of an event he said, “events don’t sit in a silo and sometimes a team just isn’t in the right head space to be engaged, and it can have a detrimental effect if people come away thinking ‘so what?’. However interesting a keynote speaker is, a stressed or burned out team is unlikely to come away feeling inspired and there are positive alternatives that might be a great fit for your event instead. By spending the time to understand the purpose of your event and mindset of attendees in advance, you can deliver an event that addresses real-world organisational issues and has deep and long-lasting impact back in the work place.”

Benefits of a keynote speaker

1. Inspire and Set the Tone

An established and relevant keynote speaker can set the tone of an event by energising the audience and establishing a theme for the day. Their expertise and charisma can capture the attention of attendees and inspire enthusiasm as long as there is a clear reason or call to action that will outlast the event itself.

2. Boost Brand Credibility

Partnering with a renowned keynote speaker can lend credibility and prestige to your event. A well-respected speaker who aligns with your brand, vision and values can elevate your event and create a buzz outside of the day itself.

3. Convey a Strategic Message

An expert speaker well-briefed by your event team can compellingly present a complex, strategic message, getting your audience on board and invested in going on the journey together.

4. Enhance Attendee Experience

A memorable keynote address can enhance the overall experience of the event, especially if your audience is in a positive and receptive mindset in the lead-up to the event. An inspirational and relevant speaker will leave a lasting impression on attendees and encourage future attendance if you set the bar high.

It can be tempting to opt for a big name or a trending speaker on the circuit, but if you want to add real value to your attendee experience and future engagement there are some key things to consider before you make that booking:

Are they relevant to your event and delegates?

Any speaker that you choose to partner with should be relevant and relatable to your audience and organisation. Consider their background, expertise, and whether their message resonates with the attendees’ interests, needs, values, and mindset – otherwise it risks becoming just a ‘nice to have’.

Alignment with Event Goals

Spend time interrogating the goals of your event – how do you want people to feel? What do you want them to remember? How do you want them to act when they leave the event? Once you have established each of these elements, ask yourself whom on your speaker shortlist aligns with these goals the best, or if a keynote is even the right option at all.

Event Timing and Format

Consider whether a keynote talk fits well within the event schedule or if alternative formats such as panel discussions, workshops, or interactive sessions might be a more effective way to engage your audience. If your event is online or hybrid, look at how all delegates can have an equitable experience with the information being shared.

Diversity and Inclusion

Wherever possible strive for diversity in your speaker lineup. Including different perspectives can enrich the conversation and show your commitment to inclusivity and equity in your organisation.

A keynote speaker isn’t the only option to engage your team at your next event. Your event management team can work with you to scope out the best fit for your long-term people engagement ambitions. This could include:

1. Panel Discussions

Panels can offer a broader range of perspectives and foster interactive dialogue, which might be more suited for certain topics or teams.

2. Workshops and Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions can provide more direct engagement and hands-on learning opportunities, appealing particularly to audiences looking for practical takeaways or disengaged teams who you want to include in the conversation.

3. Fireside Chats

High-profile speakers on a big stage can sometimes feel too removed from people’s everyday stressors or to-do lists and you run the risk of disengaging rather than inspiring. An informal, interview-style conversation between a moderator and an expert can facilitate a more relaxed and relatable exchange of ideas and can be a more accessible way to share ideas or calls to action.

Selecting a keynote speaker involves careful consideration of your event goals, audience, and budget. While a keynote speaker can provide immense value by setting the tone and delivering critical messages, there are alternative ways of sharing your key messages which might better suit where your organisation is today. Ultimately, an expert event team will help to guide you towards the right choice to ensure a memorable and impactful experience for all attendees on the day and back in the workplace.

For more information on how to create a sustainable and impactful event contact info@beaconhouse-events.co.uk or give us a call on +44 (0)191 691 3456