Resources

Picking Winners…

The selection of speakers for a conference programme or event can send a very powerful message to delegates and guests. There is always a challenge in balancing the communication mix and scheduling the necessary internal business sessions, workshops and keynote presentations. Keynote speakers may be chosen for their drawcard appeal, specialist knowledge, or ability to inspire, motivate, or purely entertain.

Whatever their purpose. It is these people who 'make or break' a conference in the delegates' eyes. A well-placed keynote speaker will open minds, provide information and energise delegates to make the most of the total conference programme. Celebrity Speakers (NZ) Ltd. offers clients this ten-point rule to assist in selecting the best speaker for their event and optimising investment.

  1. Clearly define your event objectives.
  2. Define and profile your audience.
  3. Define your required communication outcomes.
  4. Define your communication mix – how much information, education, entertainment, inspiration and motivation.
  5. Set a theme for all speakers to focus on.
  6. Clearly define your brief for each speaker.
  7. Appoint speakers who can meet the brief and tie in with the theme.
  8. Stick with your plan. If it changes start at step one again and check your decisions are still appropriate.
  9. Fully brief each speaker before the event.
  10. After the event debrief and review. Have you achieved the objectives? What value has accrued from increased morale, good ideas and insights implemented as a result of this event?

Effective planning as the key, it is essential to have a clearly defined critical path of things to do building up to the conference and a run sheet of the conference programme fully detailing the event and assigning tasks to ensure the programme is delivered as specified. In addition to this it is useful to look at how your programme may add value to delegates.

Managing Director, Louise Ryburn says "there are a number of things to consider when planning your conference that will ensure the value of your speaker lasts beyond the duration of the event. In the association market it is important delegates receive some take home value that will benefit their business, after all, they make a considerable investment in being there." To leverage your investment in the total event and create value for delegates, consider accommodating these things.
The brain drain; provide light healthy food and schedule energising session breakers to restore concentration. A spot in the programme for the exchange of ideas developed or inspired by the various presentations. A proper forum for networking and more importantly, before that, an icebreaker session to make sure people get to know each other.

"Our experience is that association conferences provide a great collection of minds with a common focus," says Tawse, " the annual conference is a great place to leverage this so delegates go home with something that contributes to the bottom line of their business. We are always immensely satisfied when we learn this has happened."