Frequently asked questions

Selecting a speaker is an important decision that can greatly impact the overall success of your event. Here are a few tips we believe will help bring clarity to the decision-making process, enable you to narrow down your list of choices, and allow you to pinpoint your best options:

• Why work with a speakers bureau?

  Elevate your events to new heights by partnering with us — a top-tier speakers bureau. If you’re in search of a dynamic keynote speaker who will captivate your audience, you’ve come to the right place. Our curated roster boasts some of the top motivational speakers and respected experts in the industry — all adept at delivering compelling and thought-provoking keynotes that leave a lasting impact.

  Whether you’re looking for an in-person or virtual keynote speaker, Speakers Spotlight takes the guesswork out of which public speaker is best for your event. Through listening to our client’s needs, goals, and desired outcomes, we recommend speakers who will meet and exceed your expectations. Contact us today to find the perfect speaker for your event.

• How does a speakers bureau work? Is there a charge for your service?

  A speakers bureau is your trusted partner in the success of your event.

  Speaker selection is an important decision that can greatly impact the overall success of an event. Representing professional keynote speakers, Speakers Spotlight offers clients access to a vetted roster of top motivational speakers and industry experts who can deliver impactful and meaningful presentations.

  Not only do we take the risk out of the decision-making process for people looking to book a speaker, but we also manage all the details it takes to get the speaker to your event on time and within budget. There is no extra cost for this service. Our fee comes out of the speaker’s fees.

  If you’re looking to have your audience leave with an unforgettable experience, contact us to learn more about the incredible public speakers for events that we represent.

• What is the role of an event keynote speaker?

  Sometimes referred to as a guest speaker, public speaker, and/or conference speaker, a keynote speaker plays the pivotal role of a headliner. They are hired to deliver compelling and impactful presentations that set the tone for the entire event.

  Keynote speakers are chosen based on their expertise and their ability to engage and inspire audiences. They provide valuable insights into the trends shaping our world today; offer unique perspectives, strategies, and tips to help audiences conquer stress points, obstacles, and/or challenges; and leave audiences motivated and empowered to take action and move forward.

• How can I find the best public speakers for events?

  Partnering with a speakers bureau takes the guesswork out of finding the best keynote speaker for your event. Speakers Spotlight’s team is one of the of the most experienced in the industry and we use our collective knowledge and expertise to not only provide our clients with unparalleled service but also help match them with the best event keynote speaker or corporate public speaker.

  So, while videos and in-person previewing of speakers can be helpful, we believe that the best way to find the right speaker is to work with one of our trustworthy sales agents. We pride ourselves in staying informed about industry trends, emerging event speech topics, and the best guest speakers for events to provide clients with valuable insights and recommendations.

  Don’t be afraid to ask our team for their opinions, for references/testimonials on the keynote speakers you’re interested in, or if it would be possible to arrange a call directly with the speaker before making a decision. We are your sounding board for ideas and consider ourselves a partner in the success of your event.

• I've never booked a keynote speaker before. Where do I begin?

  Start by calling us! This is what we’re here for. We have the most experienced, enthusiastic, friendly, and helpful team in the industry who can answer your questions about the speaker selection process and provide you with recommendations, guidance, and assistance as needed.

  Below are some of the questions we ask clients upfront to streamline the speaker selection process:

  • What is the event theme/end goal?
  • Who is your audience?
  • What is your budget?
  • What type of keynote presentation are you looking for? A standard 45-60-minute speech, a moderated Q&A or fireside chat? An interactive workshop? An in-person or virtual keynote?

  Our website is also designed to be a resource to help you with your search. The client portal is your customizable planning hub, where you can save/sort speakers into groups or “boards” and plan for multiple events at one time. Or our team is happy to personally help you find and select a motivational or corporate conference speaker who will best achieve your objectives and make your event extraordinary. Contact us to learn more.

• How much do professional keynote speakers usually cost?

  We represent and work with speakers within a wide range of fees. In Canada, most professional keynote speakers’ fees vary from $7,500 to $25,000. In the US, fees typically start at $10,000 and can go as high as $100,000 or more. These fee ranges are for both in-person and a virtual keynote.

  Our job is to help you select the keynote speaker who fits best with your event, will achieve your objectives, and (of course) fit within your budget. The most expensive speaker is not always the best speaker for an event, and since we do not employ commission-driven sales agents, we are not motivated by booking the most expensive speaker.

  To find a speaker that fits within your budget on our website, select a topic area or type of speaker you’re interested in from our general search bar. Then, you can select a fee range in our advanced search option. Or contact us to get recommendations and detailed information about a particular speaker’s fees.

• What’s the difference between a virtual keynote and a webinar presentation?

  A virtual keynote and a webinar presentation are both forms of online presentations, but they differ in their purpose, format, and level of audience engagement.

  A virtual keynote is typically a high-profile presentation delivered by a professional virtual keynote speaker. It is often the highlight of an event and designed to deliver powerful and impactful messages that inspire, motivate, and captivate attendees. Virtual keynote content is often thought-provoking with a focus on broader themes, industry trends, and visionary ideas.

  A webinar presentation is more instructional. Webinars are often used to deliver specific educational content or training more akin to a workshop than a keynote presentation.

  Whether you’re looking for an engaging virtual keynote speaker or a motivational webinar speaker, our roster can customize the format of their content to meet your needs.

• Can all speakers do virtual events? Can they do an interactive virtual keynote?

  Typically, yes, most professional keynote speakers can deliver presentations in both an in-person and virtual format.

  Speakers Spotlight has been offering virtual options since 2009, so our roster of public speakers for events includes some of the best virtual keynote speakers from around the world as well as the most affordable virtual keynote speakers. Over the course of the pandemic, they honed their virtual offerings to create one-of-a-kind virtual experiences — from building state-of-the-art in-home studios to renting out theatres and creating visually stunning presentations.

  As virtual event technology has evolved, we’ve worked closely with our speakers to help them take advantage of all tools available in order to deliver an interactive virtual keynote as well. From utilizing survey tools to adapting their presentation in the moment through chat functions, our virtual keynote speakers are skilled at engaging and captivating audiences in a virtual format to deliver the best experience possible.

• Will a conference speaker customize or tailor their presentation for our event?

  Yes, most keynote speakers for corporate events and public events will customize or tailor their presentations to your theme, audience, and goals. The degree and process by which this is done however depends on the individual speaker. Most speakers will review information about your organization and the event and participate in pre-event conference calls. Some will even meet face-to-face if necessary.

  Not all speakers are alike so if customization is important to you, please ask up front whether a speaker is willing to tailor their presentation. Regardless of the degree of customization, any good public speaker should know who they are speaking to and adapt their presentation so that it is relevant, timely, and connects to the audience.

• Who are the top keynote speakers I should know about?

  We pride ourselves in staying informed about industry trends, emerging topics of interest, and the latest speakers to provide clients with valuable insights and recommendations.

  Check out our latest blog posts to learn more about the latest industry trends, including who are the best motivational speakers, most popular keynote speakers, and top conference speakers, as well as our most requested topics and who can speak to them such as mental wellness corporate speakers, leadership keynote speakers, a business conference speaker, and more.

• What happens if a speaker can't make it to the engagement?

  Fortunately, this rarely happens. Cancellations occur in less than one percent of the engagements we book, and only in situations such as unexpected illness or unavoidable weather and travel delays.

  We consider ourselves partners in the success of your event, and, in the rare instances that these occur, we will jump into action and call upon all of our resources to make alternate arrangements, so you won’t be left without a keynote speaker.