7 Strategies for Finding Conference Speakers

In the intricate realm of event planning, selecting the right speakers is a pivotal element for a successful conference. The keynote speakers are crucial in inspiring, educating, and engaging your attendees. 

Finding the ideal speakers might seem challenging, but with strategic approaches, you can discover candidates who possess expertise and can captivate and inspire your conference audience. 

In this guide, we will explore seven effective strategies for identifying conference speakers, ensuring a well-rounded and impactful roster for an unforgettable conference experience.

7 Strategies for Finding Conference Speakers

Finding the right conference speakers is crucial for the success of your event. Engaging speakers can attract attendees, enhance the overall experience, and contribute to the event’s success. Here are seven strategies to help you find and select conference speakers:

1. Use Your Network

Leveraging your professional network is a powerful and organic method for identifying potential conference speakers. This strategy taps into the wealth of connections you’ve built over time. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to effectively use your networks:

1.1 Request Recommendations:

• Reach out to colleagues, professionals in your field, and contacts from your alma mater or other associations.
• Request specific recommendations, asking for individuals with expertise relevant to your conference theme.
• Seek diverse perspectives to ensure a well-rounded lineup of speakers.

1.2 Attend Industry-Specific Events:

• Actively participate in industry-specific events, conferences, and seminars.
• Engage with speakers, attendees, and exhibitors to build relationships and identify potential speakers.
• Networking at these events can provide firsthand insights into a speaker’s communication style and subject matter knowledge.

1.3 Association Engagement:

• Join and engage with relevant industry associations or professional groups.
• Access association networks to discover experienced speakers who may not be immediately apparent through other channels.
• Leverage association events, both online and offline, as platforms for speaker discovery.

1.4 Online Forums and Social Media:

• Participate in online forums dedicated to your field, where experts actively discuss relevant topics.
• Utilize social media platforms to connect with professionals, follow industry discussions, and identify potential speakers.
• Engage in conversations to gauge a speaker’s communication skills and thought leadership.

2. Research Other Events

Attending other industry conferences is a proactive approach to identifying impressive speakers. This strategy involves immersing yourself in the conference environment to assess speakers firsthand:

2.1 Event Attendance:

• Actively attend industry conferences relevant to your field.
• Experience presentations firsthand to assess a speaker’s delivery, engagement with the audience, and overall impact.
• Take note of speakers who resonate with the audience and align with your conference objectives.

2.2 Note-Taking:

• Keep detailed notes on presenters who stand out, capturing their expertise, presentation style, and audience interaction.
• Note the elements contributing to a speaker’s effectiveness, such as storytelling ability, visual aids, and engagement techniques.

2.3 Networking Opportunities:

• Use event attendance as an opportunity to network with both speakers and attendees.
• Build connections for future collaborations, and inquire about speakers suitable for your event.
• Networking can unearth recommendations that may not be apparent through traditional research methods.

2.4 Speaker Lineup Review:

• If time constraints limit your attendance, review speaker lineups on conference websites.
• Identify notable speakers without physically attending events, but prioritize attending when possible for a more comprehensive evaluation.

2.5 Online Resources:

• Explore online resources on conference websites or other platforms, such as recorded presentations or speaker interviews.
• Use these resources to gauge a speaker’s effectiveness, communication style, and relevance to your conference theme.

3. Speaker Bureaus 

Collaborating with speaker bureaus is an efficient way to secure high-calibre speakers tailored to your conference theme. This strategy involves working closely with specialized organizations to streamline the speaker selection process:

3.1 Bureau Collaboration:

• Establish collaboration with reputable speaker bureaus specializing in connecting event organizers with qualified speakers.
• Communicate your conference theme, objectives, and target audience to the bureau to ensure a customized speaker selection.

3.2 Define Conference Theme:

• Provide detailed information about your conference theme, including specific topics and areas of expertise required from speakers.
• Work closely with the bureau to align speaker selections with the focus and goals of your conference.

3.3 Access to Diverse Talent:

• Benefit from the bureau’s extensive network, gaining access to a diverse pool of talented speakers with varying expertise.
• Utilize the bureau’s resources to identify speakers who may not be readily available through other channels.

3.4 Expertise Matching:

• Leverage the expertise of the bureau in matching speakers to specific topics.
• Ensure that selected speakers align with the focus and requirements of your conference, enhancing the overall quality of presentations.

3.5 Negotiation Assistance:

• Receive assistance in negotiating speaker fees and arrangements.
• Streamline the administrative aspects of securing high-calibre speakers, allowing you to focus on other critical aspects of event planning.

4. Web-Based Resources

Utilizing internet materials is an effective way to evaluate a speaker’s efficacy, providing a convenient and accessible means of speaker assessment:

4.1 Online Presence Assessment:

• Explore a speaker’s online presence through materials such as speaker interviews, webinars, or videotaped presentations.
• Assess their communication skills, presentation style, and ability to engage an audience through online platforms.

4.2 Conference Website Review:

• Check conference websites for recorded presentations, speaker highlights, and additional materials.
• These resources offer insights into a speaker’s ability to engage and deliver impactful content to an audience.

4.3 YouTube and Similar Platforms:

• Utilize video-sharing platforms like YouTube to find and evaluate speakers by watching their past presentations, interviews, or talks.
• Evaluate the speaker’s delivery, body language, and interaction with the audience to gauge their effectiveness.

4.4 Social Media Profiles:

• Examine speakers’ social media profiles for snippets of their speaking engagements, discussions, and audience interactions.
• Assess the speaker’s online impact, engagement with the community, and the resonance of their message.

4.5 Professional Blogs and Podcasts:

• Look for any blogs or podcasts where speakers share their expertise.
• Gain additional context on a speaker’s subject knowledge, perspectives, and presentation style through these more in-depth platforms.

5. Expert Associations

Investigating expert associations associated with your conference theme is a strategic way to identify professionals with relevant expertise:

5.1 Association Membership Directory:

• Explore the membership directory of relevant trade associations to identify professionals with expertise in the subject matter of your conference.
• Ensure that association members align with the specific themes and topics you aim to cover.

5.2 Networking Events:

• Attend association-sponsored networking events to connect with potential speakers.
• Gauge their interest in participating in conferences and use these events as opportunities to build relationships.

5.3 Membership Outreach:

• Directly reach out to association members who align with your conference theme.
• Introduce your event and inquire about their interest in speaking, highlighting the mutual benefits of participation.

5.4 Collaborative Opportunities:

• Explore collaborative opportunities with the association, such as joint events or sessions.
• Access the association’s network of qualified speakers, potentially securing individuals who bring a unique perspective to your conference.

5.5 Association Newsletters and Publications:

• Review association newsletters and publications for announcements or profiles of members with noteworthy expertise.
• Use these resources to identify potential speakers and stay informed about the latest developments in your industry.

6. Crowdsourcing:

Crowdsourcing platforms and online communities provide a unique opportunity to gather diverse recommendations and suggestions for potential speakers:

6.1 Polls and Surveys:

• Conduct polls or surveys within your target audience to gather preferences and recommendations for potential speakers.
• Use this approach to tailor your speaker selection to the interests and preferences of your conference attendees.

6.2 Open Call for Suggestions:

• Implement an open call for speaker suggestions through your conference website or social media channels.
• Encourage participants to share names and backgrounds of speakers they admire, ensuring a democratic and inclusive approach to speaker selection.

6.3 Incentivize Participation:

• Offer incentives such as discounts on conference registration or exclusive access to certain sessions for individuals who provide valuable speaker recommendations.
• Create a sense of engagement and community involvement in the speaker selection process.

6.4 Community Collaboration:

• Foster a sense of community collaboration by actively acknowledging and thanking participants for their contributions to the speaker selection process.
• Build a community around your event, ensuring attendees feel ownership and pride in the final speaker lineup.

6.5 Public Voting:

• Consider implementing a public voting system for suggested speakers.
• Allow your audience to directly impact the final speaker lineup, enhancing attendee engagement and excitement.

7. Check Industry Publications

Regularly reviewing industry publications is a fundamental step in staying updated on current trends, innovations, and thought leaders in your field:

7.1 Publication Review:

• Regularly review industry publications in print and online to stay informed about the latest trends and developments.
• Identify potential speakers who contribute valuable content to these publications.

7.2 Blogs and Articles:

• Read blogs and articles written by industry experts, paying attention to their insights, perspectives, and the depth of their knowledge.
• Consider individuals who consistently contribute thought-provoking content as potential speakers for your conference.

7.3 Podcasts and Webinars:

• Explore industry-related podcasts and webinars, identifying individuals who demonstrate expertise and effective communication skills.
• Evaluate the speaker’s ability to convey complex ideas concisely and engagingly.

7.4 Contributor Profiles:

• Examine contributor profiles in industry publications to identify thought leaders who contribute valuable content to the field.
• Consider individuals who have a track record of providing unique insights and perspectives.

7.5 Opinion Pieces:

• Look for opinion pieces and editorial content that showcase thought leaders expressing unique viewpoints and analysis within your industry.
• Thought-provoking opinions can translate into engaging presentations that captivate your conference audience.

Conclusion

A well-curated lineup of conference speakers contributes significantly to your event’s overall engagement, impact, and success. By employing diverse strategies such as tapping into industry networks, collaborating with speaker bureaus, researching other events, leveraging web-based resources, engaging with expert associations, crowdsourcing, and checking industry publications, organizers can assemble a dynamic and knowledgeable group of speakers for an unforgettable conference experience.