One of the most important factors of an event is whether or not a keynote speaker is present. Speakers are often a big draw for attendees and can sometimes make or break a person’s decision to come in. So, when you pick your speaker, you need to apply careful thought to it. Here are some things to remember.
Plan Accordingly
Good meetings come from ample time spent planning. But how much time should that be? It’s far easier to secure the best speakers by planning at least 6-12 months prior to your event. The norm for booking a professional or well-known speaker is usually a year in advance.
Understand Your Audience
Understanding what your audience likes and would respond to is key for selecting the right speaker. Would your meeting require a corporate speaker? An expert in the field? Or would your meeting benefit from an inspirational or motivational speaker? These are important questions to ask before you embark on the speaker search.
Be Mindful of Your Budget
Speakers can be expensive, so you have to make room in your budget for hiring the right person. Professional keynote speakers with published books can cost an upwards of $10,000 to $20,000 alone. A New York Times best-selling author can cost as much as $40,000 per event. Of course, not every speaker is a best-selling author, but their costs might still be relatively high. It’s important to do that research ahead of time.
Picking the right speaker might feel like a lot of pressure, but it’s worth it in the end. If you are considering holding a conference, choosing the right venue matters too –that’s where we come in. Explore any of our Mid-Atlantic properties here to take your meeting to the next level.