Keynote speakers are generally hired to bring some prestige and authority to an event. They may be famous for having achieved a great deal in almost any field, although most commonly business. They could also be sports stars or adventurers who use their experiences as analogies when speaking about leadership and team work. Nine times out of ten, though, keynote speakers are experts in their particular field, whatever that may be.
Keynote Speakers at Events
Generally, keynote speakers are employed to speak at business events, notably large conferences where a great many delegates will be attending. There are normally several speakers presenting at the event, but the keynote speaker is the one given most importance, whose speech will set the tone for the event or round it off. Therefore, keynote speakers normally open an event or close it.
Keynote Speakers Opening Events
When the audience takes their seats at a large conference, they are unlikely to be focused on the event. They have things on their mind such as the journey they’ve just completed to get to the event, their hotel reservation, and the colleagues they haven’t seen for months. This is exactly the reason keynote speakers are employed to open such events. When opening events, keynote speakers set the tone for the whole conference, they sum up the most interesting points and stimulate the audience so that they are as open as possible to new advice, information and generally learning as much as they can from the speakers which will follow.
Keynote Speakers Closing Events
Generally when an event has several slots for speakers, the final one is considered the most important and the most prestigious and this slot falls to keynote speakers when they are closing an event. Closing an event is perhaps more challenging than opening it because it requires the speaker to sum up the messages of the event: the advice that has been imparted as well as the technical expertise. The keynote speakers’ final address represents the last opportunity to get the audience on board: to motivate them to take away your message, information, advice and encouragement to that you can be sure your message has been received. Prime Performers can help find the perfect speaker from the many keynote speakers we represent. Why not contact us for help or advice?