8 Key Considerations for Selecting Event Speakers and Entertainment
Navigating the maze of selecting the perfect speakers and entertainment for an event is no easy feat. This article distills expert advice into actionable insights to align event elements with audience expectations and organizational goals. Gain access to industry-specific strategies that ensure an event resonates with every attendee, leaving a lasting impression.
- Match Speakers to Audience Energy Levels
- Seek Industry-Specific Speakers for Credibility
- Align Entertainment with Event Purpose
- Choose Speakers Reflecting Company Culture
- Select Speakers Who Connect and Inspire
- Tailor Content to Audience Preferences
- Engage Relevant Speakers for Lasting Impact
- Personalize Experiences for VIP Attendees
Match Speakers to Audience Energy Levels
One crucial (but often overlooked) consideration is this: don't just match the speaker to the event theme--match them to the energy level your audience will actually have during their session.
I've seen brilliant speakers fail simply because they were scheduled right after lunch with a dense, academic keynote--or because the audience consisted of tired executives on day three of a conference. No matter how "on-message" the speaker was, the delivery didn't meet the moment.
To ensure relevance and engagement, we now ask clients not just what the event is about, but when the speaker is presenting and who the audience is emotionally at that point. Then we source talent whose tone, format (interactive, storytelling, comedic), and delivery style matches that vibe. Sometimes that means bringing in a mentalist instead of a leadership coach--or a tactical workshop instead of a visionary keynote.
Relevance isn't just about topic fit. It's about timing, tone, and emotional pacing. That's where the magic (and the bookings) happen.
Seek Industry-Specific Speakers for Credibility
Demographic alignment trumps fame when selecting speakers for corporate events. From our own vertical, we discovered that speakers who share specific industry experience with your audience create immediate credibility.
Last year, we paired a tech-focused healthcare executive with a medical device company's leadership retreat--their shared challenges created an authentic connection impossible with general motivational speakers. The success formula involves deep-diving into audience composition: their technical knowledge, career stage, and current challenges.
After analyzing these elements, I seek speakers who've walked similar paths but offer fresh perspectives. This targeted approach transformed our client events from passive listening experiences into dynamic discussions where attendees actively engage because the content directly applies to their daily work.
Align Entertainment with Event Purpose
When choosing an entertainer to perform during events, an important aspect to note is the reason behind holding the event and the type of guests attending. The first step is establishing the event's purpose - whether to educate, motivate, mark a celebration, or create interaction - and then ensure that the entertainment supports this aim. For instance, when a company is planning an event for its clients, it may need special entertainment such as speakers and trainers. On the other hand, if it's a 'celebratory' event such as a wedding or a gala, it may require one or more musicians or DJs.
Secondly, the culture of the people and the age and interests of the target group should be taken into consideration. Adapting entertainment according to such aspects ensures that it resonates with the attendees and makes it more enjoyable. It's also important to remember the relationship between the event and entertainers and make sure that it enhances the event without overpowering it.
Choose Speakers Reflecting Company Culture
One of the most important and often overlooked considerations for selecting speakers for corporate events is to choose someone who aligns with the professional culture of your audience. Having a deeper understanding of what motivates and inspires your attendees will help you choose an appropriate speaker or entertainment option for your corporate event.
The most successful speakers and entertainers reflect the values and vision of the organization while also offering fresh perspectives. The key to ensuring your speakers and entertainment are relevant and engaging is research.
Before making a decision, I recommend conducting interviews with company leadership and those involved in organizing past events to understand the company culture, past event successes and failures, and specific objectives for this event.
What message should attendees take away? What emotions should they feel? What actions should they be inspired to take? These questions help determine what topics will best suit this specific event's audience.
Select Speakers Who Connect and Inspire
One crucial consideration is knowing your audience inside out--their industry, interests, and the event's purpose. At Write Right and our associated brands, we always choose speakers or entertainers who can either inspire, educate, or energize our crowd based on those insights.
To ensure relevance and engagement, I look for individuals who not only match the tone of the event but also bring interactive elements or real-life value to the table. I believe a great speaker doesn't just talk--they connect. We often involve past attendees in feedback loops or even pre-event polls to ensure our choices resonate. An audience-first approach always wins!
Tailor Content to Audience Preferences
Choosing the right speakers or entertainment for a corporate event hinges significantly on understanding the cultural and professional backgrounds of the attending audience. For instance, a tech company might benefit from a keynote speaker who is an innovator in the tech industry, as this appeals directly to the interests and professional growth of the attendees. Additionally, aligning the entertainment with the values and expected outcomes of the event can greatly enhance engagement. If the goal is to inspire creativity, inviting a renowned creative mind or an interactive tech art display could energize and captivate the audience.
Ensuring relevance and engagement also involves actively seeking feedback from potential attendees about their preferences and expectations prior to the event. This could be done through pre-event surveys or informal polls which ask what topics they are interested in or what kind of entertainment excites them. Not only does this foster a feeling of inclusiveness, it also tailors the event to directly resonate with the audience's current interests and professional needs. By meticulously tailoring the content and entertainment to the audience's preferences and current industry trends, event planners can create a memorable experience that maintains engagement and delivers value.
Engage Relevant Speakers for Lasting Impact
Selecting speakers or entertainment is very important for corporate events and must be kept in mind while planning them. At LAXcar, we regularly partner with corporate clients who host high-profile events, and we've experienced firsthand how the right decision can inspire engagement and make a lasting impact.
Including information about who will be in attendance, their demographics, and interests is one way to ensure that the entertainment or speaker will be relevant. For instance, while we were providing transportation for a tech industry leadership summit, we recognized that the summit organizers had engaged a futurist speaker to discuss the potential of AI bias on business, which was well-suited for the audience of executives grappling with digital transformation. Similarly, for a finance conference, a speaker with deep insights into market trends resonated far more than a general motivational talk.
To keep things interesting, we suggest audience-driven programming - weaving in a pre-event submission portal for attendee questions, live polling with the speaker, or interactive Q&As. Entertainment and speakers should appear to be a logical extension of the event's mission, not merely something to check off. When executed well, they can foster networking, inspire important conversations, and create a lasting impression.
Personalize Experiences for VIP Attendees
For managing VIP attendees, personalized experiences are key. Assign dedicated staff to handle their needs, ensuring they feel valued and attended to.
Create exclusive areas for them to relax or network, offer priority access, and provide them with custom itineraries for the event. It's also essential to anticipate their preferences, whether through tech solutions or staff preparedness, ensuring they experience the event seamlessly. This level of attention fosters long-term relationships and loyalty.
