Meeting planners ask this every week. “Who is the best speaker for a conference?” The answer is not found in a reel alone, it is found in outcomes. The best conference speaker is the one who shapes the vibe of the event, lifts the energy in the room, sparks meaningful conversations in the hallways, and has people excited to come back next year. If you do not have a budget for celebrities, and you don’t just want anyone who says they can speak, finding a speaker who will set the tone for your event and get people excite about next year is paramount to the whole vibe of the event.
Below are three real, field tested tips that will help you identify the right keynote speaker for your event. Share this with your team or your volunteer committee. These are practical moves that separate a memorable general session from a forgettable one.
Tip 1. Define success so clearly that a stranger could score it
Before you watch a single video, write a one page success brief. Include the audience profile, the single most important outcome you want to see, a few secondary wins, and how you plan to measure them. Use language like, attendees will leave with a shared vocabulary for collaboration, or first time attendees will make three new professional connections during the opening hour, or we will see a measurable lift in next year interest by the closing session. Share this brief with candidates and ask them to respond with how they would tailor content, interactive moments, and follow ups to hit those targets. The best speaker for a conference will treat your brief like a blueprint and will build with you, not simply deliver a canned talk.
Pro move inside this tip. Ask for a two minute cold open video, recorded on their phone, speaking directly to your audience. You will hear tone, pacing, clarity, and relevance. You will see how they naturally connect when the stakes are real and the script is not overly produced.
Tip 2. Choose for collaboration, not celebrity
There are many excellent presenters, yet the best conference speaker for your event is the one who collaborates with you. Ask how they prepare. Do they request interviews with a few attendees and sponsors. Will they attend the networking reception before they speak. Can they weave your theme and other sessions into their keynote. Will they coordinate with the emcee and other speakers so the program flows as one experience. You are not shopping for a solo act, you are casting a critical role in your production.
Pro move inside this tip. Invite your top candidate to host a short pre event Zoom for registrants. Twenty minutes is fine. If they can warm up the crowd in advance, your on site energy will jump. You will also see how they facilitate conversation, which matters as much as their slides.
Tip 3. Ask for an engagement plan that goes beyond the hour
Great keynotes are not only what the audience hears from the stage, they are also what happens next. Request a one page engagement plan that includes before, during, and after touchpoints. Before, a teaser video or a short article for your newsletter. During, audience prompts that trigger table conversations or small action moments that get people talking. After, a follow up resource or a short recap video you can send to attendees. When speakers help you extend the impact, your program feels more intentional and your attendees remember your event long after the ballroom lights come up.
Pro move inside this tip. Ask how they will support your sponsors or exhibitors. A speaker who can highlight partners in a natural and respectful way adds value beyond the keynote slot.
A quick word on fit
The best speaker for a conference is also a culture fit. Look for someone who matches the energy you want. If your event is collaborative, choose a speaker who is present in the hallways, approachable at breaks, and generous with their time. Watch how they interact with real people on site in past events. The hallway test tells you more than any sizzle reel.
Why I might be a choice worth a conversation
For some events, I might be a fit. I have presented to over 1000 association, corporate, and law firm events over the past 20 years. My work centers on Human Interaction, which I call H.I., and it sits at the intersection of connection, collaboration, and community. In an era where technology accelerates everything, people still remember how you make them feel, and relationships still drive opportunity. H.I. is more important now than ever. Audiences are craving practical ways to engage, to build trust across teams and with clients, and to turn conferences into catalysts for year round momentum. My programs are upbeat and actionable, and I stay engaged before and after I speak so the keynote is not a standalone moment.
If your team is exploring how to choose the best speaker for a conference, and you want someone who will help set the tone on human connection, I would welcome a conversation. Send me your one page success brief and I will share specific ways we can make your audience feel seen, get people talking to each other, and have them already excited about next year.
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Thom Singer, CSP, is a professional keynote speaker and the CEO at the Austin Technology Council.