Speakers are valued members of the conference. To ensure a positive experience with the hope of continuing the relationship things to have in place are: 1-Pay Them Fairly: Compensate them for their expertise and time. 2-Over Communicate: provide comprehensive information about the conference (location, agenda, topics) and audience demographics in a TIMELY manner via bi-weekly and weekly calls. 3-Market and Promote: Highlight on social media and in all materials. 4-Networking Opps: arrange meet-n-greets, networking lunches, exclusive receptions so they can engage with participants in an informal setting. 5-POC: Designate a point person for support throughout. 6-Post Engagement: Gather feedback and explore collaboration opportunities.

We provide our speakers and resource persons with the following: 1. Agenda/topic at least prior 2 weeks. 2. Location details 1 week prior, pick up on the day if they need it. 3. We let them know who the participants are, their level of expertise in the topic and what they expect. 4. The type of public addressing system we have, and the venue details. 5. Ask them for a confirmation 3-4 days prior to the conference day. 6. Other possible hospitality and necessary niche communication.

Based on my experience, creating a speaker experience that encourages future participation in the conference involves several key strategies. Clear communication and personalized support are essential to ensure speakers feel prepared and valued. Providing engaging presentation opportunities and networking sessions allows speakers to connect with the audience and industry professionals, enhancing their experience. Recognition and appreciation for their contributions, along with soliciting feedback for continuous improvement, demonstrate a commitment to their success. By offering valuable takeaways and maintaining ongoing engagement, speakers are more likely to view their participation positively and consider returning for future conferences.

Pay them. The promise of exposure is just not enough and does not respect their time and the value they add to your conference. Remember that you get what you pay for in life.

We always release the poster of the conference/event with the speaker's profile on our social media handles at least 1 week before the conference day. We also share it with them so that they can share in their network. We offer them pick-up and drop services, food and accommodation. Momento/Plaque, fee is given after the conference during the felicitation ceremony.

A few things you can do to help engage your speakers in future events is two-fold. First, ask them if they have any recommendations for speakers. This reiterates that you thought they were a good speaker and that they were an authority. Make them a connection point. Second, when you re-share the recording from their session, tell them in advance! Share digital assets with them again so that maybe they will share the assets (on-demand style) with their audience. This will extent the life of their speakership significantly.

As a podcast host, I aim to create an environment where my guests feel at ease and valued for what they have to say or offer. I do this by first establishing an open line of communication, where they can ask me anything they want to familiarize themselves with the event, the audience, and the purpose of what we're trying to achieve. We then collaboratively workshop an agenda, ensuring that neither of us are caught by surprise during the actual event (though there's always room for spontaneity). They are the speakers for a reason, and I need to reassure them that this is a partnership and a collaboration