Events, seminars and conventions can be very powerful ways to get ideas across, train and even inspire your attendees.

Not only do they offer a welcome change to the day-to-day routine, but they also offer a unique opportunity for learning and networking with people in your field.

Among the various things involved in a successful event, there is one element that, if chosen right, can elevate the whole experience in such a way that wouldn’t be possible otherwise – the keynote speaker.

In this article, we’ll dive into what the role of a keynote speaker is and how you can choose the right one for your event.

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About keynote speakers

Contrary to what some people might think, a keynote speaker is not the same as a inspirational speaker.

Even though a good speech is able to lift up the spirits of the audience, that is not their main aim.

He or she is someone who can condense and communicate the overarching theme of an event effectively and in a short period of time.

An effective keynote speaker will set the tone for the rest of the conference, diffuse the tension that usually accompanies these events and get your attendees excited to take part in the rest of the program.

Whether by looking at the main theme from a different angle or through personal anecdotes, the keynote speaker brings a fresh view of the topic at hand and makes the audience want to learn more throughout the rest of the event.

They generally speak at the beginning of the event (to grab your audiences attention), during the luncheon (to keep them engaged), or at the close of the event to make sure your attendees leave on a good note.

He or she does not usually get into the nitty-gritty details of the content. That job is left for the other guest or plenary speakers.

These individuals are considered experts, gurus, business leaders, professional public speakers, celebrities, politicians, educators and thought leaders.

Why is it called a keynote?

The term Key Note comes from the practice of a Cappella.

It was common for Barbershop Singers or Doo-wop Musicians to play a note before singing. That note would determine the key in which the song would be sung in, hence the term Key Note.

When giving a Keynote Speech, it’s like the Keynote Speaker is playing the “main key” of the rest of the event, so that everybody knows what to expect from the program.

Famous keynote speakers

In the business arena, Steve Jobs was famous for delivering keynote speeches at Apple product system and service launches.

These presentations were later popularized as “Stevenotes”, during which Steve Jobs would usually introduce the public to new Apple releases for the first time.

Those keynote speeches were so effective that they would cause substantial swings in Apple’s stock price.

Keynote speeches are also commonly seen in presidential campaigns. For example, Barack Obama gave a keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention which occasionally influenced the course of the election.

Bringing in a celebrity or famous speaker is generally done by many event organizers as a way to add credibility and give the event some “wow factor” to ensure the audience is engaged and entertained.

Plenary Speaker Vs. Keynote Speaker

The main difference between a plenary speaker and a keynote speaker is that the plenary speaker is generally someone who comes from within the industry or organization the event is being produced by with the objective of delivering the information that the event is all about.

For example, if you are running a sales conference, the plenary speaker could be one of the executives at your company or an established sales expert who is going to talk about the vital points that the event is trying to accomplish.

The plenary speaker generally is more intertwined with the actual event and delivering the core information that the audience came for.

While the keynote speaker could be a celebrity or high level expert who may not necessarily be associated with your industry.

Examples of a keynote speaker could be:

A former Navy Seal who will talk to you about how to overcome adversity
A person with a disability who can talk to you from experience on the importance of positive thinking
A middle aged woman who climbed Mount Everest who had no experience
A politician with a miraculous story to share
A celebrity who your audience admires

In this example, the keynote speakers story sets the tone and grabs your audiences attention for the rest of the event.

Or they can also speak during the luncheon or closing ceremony as a way to ensure the audience is engaged, inspired, and entertained.

Choosing a keynote speaker

When choosing a keynote speaker, it’s important to look for certain traits and qualities.

Here is a list of attributes to look for:

The Keynote Speaker should give off credibility by being comfortable in who they are;

The Keynote Speaker should be able connect with the audience, so the attendees open up to their message;

The Keynote Speaker should be able to use humor appropriately and effectively;

The Keynote Speaker should be able to research about your industry, your issues and your audience, so as to craft a customized presentation that is targeted uniquely at your attendees;

The Keynote Speaker should be able to present the main message of the event in a memorable and fun way.

Conclusion

Keynote Speakers can be valuable assets to the success of your event and your organization as a whole.

Provided you choose the right one, you’ll be granting yourself and your audience an experience you will remember for years to come.

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