A conference is a confluence of ideas, influences, and cultures. One of the most integral aspects of a successful conference is the quality of the speakers. Depending on the conference’s theme, different types of speakers are used.
For example, a conference on Pharma and Healthcare will have speakers from the health and fitness industry who will enable the attendees to upgrade their knowledge. Similarly, a women’s empowerment conference will have motivational women speakers who stress the need for and avenues for women’s empowerment across the globe.
Choosing the right speaker for your event can make all the difference in keeping your audience engaged. However, to make the right choice, one needs to be aware of the different types of speakers at conferences.
Let’s look at some of the types of speakers at conferences.
15 Types of Speakers at Conferences That You Need to Know
Here are 15 types of speakers at conferences that you should acquaint yourself with so that you know who to approach with a speaking opportunity, keeping in mind your event’s objectives.
1. Motivational Speaker
A motivational speaker motivates people with inspirational and uplifting words and talks. They possess a sea of wisdom, and when speaking to individuals or groups, they engage with their own experiences, life stories, and other core values and methods. These types of speakers at conferences inspire people, boost their confidence, and positively impact their personal and professional lives.
Such speakers aren’t limited to a particular domain. They can add value to any seminar or corporate event to connect with the audience by appealing to their feelings and emotions. Attendees will most likely benefit from the right motivational speaker at a conference designed to motivate people, overcome challenges, fulfill goals, and not succumb to adversities and other upheavals.
Tony Robbins is one of the most renowned motivational speakers at B2B conferences. He may not have gone to college, but he can captivate an audience’s hearts and minds. A No. 1 New York Bestselling author, Robbins has inspired millions of people across numerous corporate events.
2. Business Leaders
A business leader is the type of speaker at conferences who doesn’t give advice on the do’s and don’ts and facts and figures but rather peppers their talks with interesting anecdotes and episodes that are sure to resonate with the attendees, no matter what position they hold in the chain of command.
Sir Richard Branson is one such entrepreneur. His stellar records are a testament to his hugely successful professional journey. He is considered among the Top-notch business speakers whose speeches are equally erudite and entertaining.
3. Industry Experts
Most B2B conferences are industry-specific; we rarely see events with a generic corporate theme. Some key industries that hold conferences are Pharmaceuticals and healthcare, IT, Energy, Manufacturing, Marketing, HR, and Operations, to name a few. As the name suggests, industry experts belong to specific domains with relevant experience, expertise, and undeniable communication skills.
Industry experts share potent information with event attendees, who have the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge in their respective fields.
Renowned global visionaries Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos are celebrated for their dynamic presentations. These types of speakers at conferences adeptly discuss best practices, current trends, and complex concepts, leaving audiences with a lasting impression.
4. Entertainers
Entertainers in conferences are famous personalities from the entertainment world who are invited to talk at certain events. Their celebrity status and larger-than-life personas mainly help them captivate their audience and hold their attention.
Stand-up comics, artists, actors, and other entertainers can up the quotient of any conference with their charisma and are always crowd pullers at fundraising events. But beneath their star power, they often align with relevant causes or matters that need representation.
Often, entertaining speakers who speak at conferences that resonate with these causes can impress the gathering and help garner media attention, furthering the event’s reach.
As conference and event organizers, you can use this as leverage and connect with suitable entertainers. For instance, someone like Jay Leno. He is an icon who has entertained audiences with his impeccable wit, affable persona, and speaking style, which has made him hugely popular as a speaker.
5. Health and Fitness Experts
Healthcare speakers can be found at medical conferences, corporate events, and Pharmaceutical and innovation conferences. These speakers share their valuable insights to raise health-related awareness, anecdotes on the latest trends in the world of Pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and sometimes information regarding healthcare policies worldwide.
The pandemic has shown the world how important it is to be conscious of emerging trends and patterns in the healthcare industry and the medical world, especially for those in this domain.
Healthcare and fitness speakers include physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, and pharmaceutical organizations who can share their expertise and experiences. Conference attendees could not only gain insight into what is happening in this field but also refine their ideas or concepts on cutting-edge research.
For instance, a world-renowned innovation expert in the field of health and medicine, Dr. Daniel Kraft sets the stage on fire with his impeccable speaking skills. Check out his delivery at the TEDx platform
6. Authors and Writers
Nonfiction writers are no less than industry experts. Many of the best-selling authors have written books on emotional intelligence, leadership, AI and innovation, performance under pressure, and much more. These authors have a great deal of knowledge to share with the attendees, who can gain new insights from their work.
Fiction writers, too, have a lot to share with the audience. Fiction writers who are skilled observers and character sketchers are often popular with their humor and wit.
Attending a conference with these type of speakers at conferences can do wonders for aspiring writers. Organizing a conference with a reputed lineup of authors and other notables from the publishing industry as its key speakers will be a huge draw for all those who belong to this industry.
A literary genius, such as JK Rowling, can dive deep into the craft of writing and understand the skills of marketing one’s written work.
7. Military Leaders / War Heroes
Army professionals are by far the most inspiring keynote speakers at conferences. Their varied stories of bravery and valor are a testament to their true strength of character, which is rare to find in the real world. Perhaps this inner strength and their strong beliefs make them the perfect fit to speak at conferences where professionals can gain a lot from their experiences.
Admirals, Corporals, and Generals who have seen it all and emerged victorious make for extraordinary speakers. No one could talk about inspiration, team-building strategies, overcoming hurdles and obstacles, and the triumphs and tribulations any better than they.
David Goggins, a Navy Seal known as one of the toughest men on earth, is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers at conferences. His charisma and dynamic personality are known to captivate listeners at events.
8. Advocacy Speaker
Advocacy speakers include Human Rights activists, change-makers, and advocates of potent causes. These type of speakers at c engage the audience with a strong cause and advocate for actionable steps to bring about a change in society. Events centered on policy reforms, crime and society, and environment conservation and preservation have many advocacy speakers lined up throughout the day.
Notable speakers like Barack Obama and Alnoor Damji are examples of advocacy speakers. These people are excellent communicators who manage to create an impact on the audience with their oratory skills and also persuade them to bring about a change in the world.
9. Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speakers are the main speakers of a conference. Their speech sets the ball rolling for the event. As the primary speaker of an event, keynote speakers are mostly well-known faces and A-listers in corporate events. They are chosen based on their domain expertise. To understand the role of a keynote speaker at conferences, refer to our blog on A step-by-step guide to becoming a keynote speaker.
Robin Sharma deserves mention among prominent keynote speakers. Considered one of the world’s most influential speakers, Mr. Sharma’s speeches have played a pivotal role in empowering millions to reach their highest potential.
10. Plenary Speaker
Much like a keynote speaker, a plenary speaker outlines the tone, channels the discussion, and engages the audience. But there lies a critical difference between the two. While keynote speakers are invited to speak at a general session, they are outsiders or external experts.
A plenary speaker, on the other hand, belongs to the same industry or brand. As conference organizers, it is essential to note that they are domain experts or discuss specific topics or issues that must be addressed. To understand the difference between a Keynote Speaker and a Plenary Speaker, refer to our blog.
For instance, if an event or conference is held around a public policy forum, you should invite a plenary speaker. These speakers will be in-house experts such as policymakers, legal experts, and civil and public forum leaders who can address specific issues and help sort out concerns or challenges that attendees are grappling with. The following video is an example of a plenary speech.
11. Futurist Speaker
With the world moving at an unprecedented pace, trends surpassing each other in the blink of an eye, and an ever-volatile society, the need for analyzing the future is at an all-time high. This is where the futurist or a futurologist comes in.
Futurists are deeply connected to research, understanding, and predicting how the future could be shaped and influenced. They can encompass visionaries, academicians, policy analysts, researchers, corporate strategists, and planners.
As organizers, you can benefit immensely from engaging with this type of speaker at your conference venue. Everyone, from individuals to organizations, is concerned about how to navigate the uncertain waters that lie ahead.
Acclaimed futurist professional speakers such as Lisa Bodel and Andrew Busch inform and elaborate on global trends and technologies, the opportunities they present, and all other possible scenarios and how they could affect us.
12. Trainers and Facilitators
Learning is an essential part of B2B conferences. In addition to networking, professionals seek opportunities to update themselves on the latest happenings in their respective fields. Event planners rope in ace trainers and facilitators to conduct workshops and learning sessions to achieve this.
Workshops can be on leadership, emotional intelligence, applications of AI in management roles, and much more. Trainers or facilitators usually rely on group activities, discussions, and hands-on experience to create a fulfilling experience and facilitate learning for all involved.
13. Educational Speaker
The educational ecosystem is the torchbearer of all emerging trends and technologies. Students, educators, researchers, and all other stakeholders can gain from a platform that brings the brightest minds in education and learning and speaks about the latest developments and related research in the field of education.
An educational conference can be an excellent medium for gaining insights from experts and engaging with the best in the industry. As a conference planner, ascertain that you select from academia, technology, entrepreneurship, and leading researchers.
Michelle Obama, a name that requires no introduction, is a tireless champion of educational rights, especially among girls. Such gifted speakers can deliver fascinating stories while imparting practical lessons and helping create more opportunities for attendees and young minds alike.
14. Spiritual Speaker
Spirituality is more of a trend these days than a way of life. It is one of the most discussed topics on social media, and everyone seems to want a piece of it. This is because we live in a world embroiled in stress, anxiety, and all sorts of mental illness. In times of difficulty, everyone starts to look for meaning in things, which drives some to spirituality.
Events and sessions that center around organizing wellness, holistic, or spiritual development seminars for corporate retreats can significantly benefit from engaging with spiritual speakers who possess a deep knowledge of different philosophies and have mastered the spiritual arts.
Gurus such as Thich Nhat Hahn, Sadguru Vasudev, and Deepak Chopra, among others, are known to guide and channel positivity and mindfulness with their motivational talks, interactive sessions, and profound insights.
15. Thought Leaders
A term one may encounter often, but with varying interpretations. So, who exactly is a thought leader? To begin with, a thought leader has an innovative idea or a thought that can revolutionize the current order of things, question our existing beliefs, and even suspend the established methods.
These unconventional speakers are a necessary addition to conferences or workshops organized to challenge the existing status quo and motivate organizations or institutions that otherwise become lackadaisical in their approach.
Another name that deserves mention would be Simon Sinek. With his very influential and convincing manner of speaking, he has encouraged clients to self-reflect and motivated them to do their best.
Key Takeaway
Every event planner can choose from a few types of speakers while planning a conference. Choosing the right speaker can make all the difference in ensuring good traffic to an event.
Every conference speaker has a unique speech delivery style, and what appeals to one kind of audience may not appeal to a different set of people. So, make sure to understand the type of people coming to the conference and their pain points and expectations from the event. If you’re looking for a speaker for your event, visit Eventible, as we provide The Gazebo – A B2B Speaker’s Directory, where you can find the best speakers most suited for all B2B events.
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