How to Find the Right Speaker for Your Event: A Guide for Corporate and Business Planners
Planning a corporate event is no small task. Between venue logistics, attendee experience, and schedule coordination, the last thing you want is to struggle with finding the right speaker. After all, a great speaker can elevate the entire event—while the wrong fit can leave your audience uninspired.
So how do you find the right speaker for your event? Whether you're planning a high-energy sales kickoff, a leadership retreat, or a customer experience summit, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make a confident choice—and a case for why working with a speaker agency like The Kirkpatrick Agency can make the whole process easier and more effective.
Step 1: Define Your Event Goals and Audience
Before you start searching, get clear on the why behind your event.
Are you looking to inspire, educate, entertain, or all three?
What are your company’s key themes or challenges right now (e.g., innovation, leadership, customer experience)?
Who is your audience? Are they executives, sales professionals, managers, or a mix?
Knowing this will help you narrow your search and find a speaker who speaks your audience’s language.
Step 2: Know What to Look for in the Right Speaker for Your Event
A great speaker does more than deliver a keynote—they connect, energize, and leave a lasting impact. Here’s what to consider when trying to find the right speaker for your event:
Expertise: Do they bring relevant knowledge or insights that align with your business goals?
Style and Delivery: Are they more inspirational, tactical, humorous, or a mix? Watch speaker reels to get a feel.
Credibility: Have they worked with similar audiences or industries? Are they published authors or thought leaders?
Customization: Will they tailor their talk to your audience or use a one-size-fits-all approach?
Step 3: Start Your Speaker Search
You can begin by researching speakers online, browsing YouTube videos, or reading reviews. But this can be time-consuming—and overwhelming when you're trying to find the right speaker for your event.
That’s where a speaker management agency like The Kirkpatrick Agency comes in.
Step 4: Work with a Speaker Agency to Find the Best Fit
When you work with a speaker agency, you don’t have to start from scratch. At The Kirkpatrick Agency, we:
Curate a shortlist of speakers based on your event needs, goals, and budget
Handle the logistics, from contracts and communication to travel details
Vet the speakers for quality, credibility, and alignment with your message
Offer insight on speaker performance, audience fit, and impact
Because we manage a roster of seasoned, professional speakers, we already know who delivers and who connects with different types of audiences.
Step 5: Evaluate Final Speaker Options
Once you have a few strong options, compare them based on:
Topic fit: Do they align with the specific message you want to convey?
Audience fit: Can they connect authentically with your team or customers?
Format: Do you need a keynote, breakout, workshop, or a mix?
Pro tip: Watch full-length keynote samples if possible—not just highlight reels—to get the full picture of how they engage.
Step 6: Confirm Your Speaker and Prepare for Success
Once you’ve made your choice:
Lock in the date, contract, and logistics
Share audience background and event goals with your speaker
Ask them how they’d like to collaborate (some may want to speak with company leaders or customize based on real-time industry insights)
This collaboration makes for a much more engaging and relevant session.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right speaker for your event doesn’t have to be daunting. With a clear understanding of your goals, a thoughtful selection process, and the support of a trusted speaker agency like The Kirkpatrick Agency, you can book a speaker who truly makes your event memorable.
Want help finding the right speaker for your event? Contact us today and let’s make it happen.