If you’re like most event planners, you’re probably starting to seek out some potential speakers for next year’s event schedule. However it can be hard to know off-the-bat whether someone is going to be a good fit for your event.

While there are a lot of factors to consider, don’t fret! Check out these nine questions to reflect on to help you select the right speaker for your next event.

Your Speaker’s Topic and Background

Let’s be honest: Most of your event attendees are going to immediately skim your speaker’s biography to see if they seem like a credible source of information. And understandably so! Your attendees want to make sure that your event is a good use of their time and that means that your speaker is relevant and authentic to your industry.

Considering the following questions:

  1. Is your speaker covering a topic that fills in knowledge gaps for your industry?

  2. Does your speaker have an adequate amount of experience for their session topic?

  3. Has your speaker spoken at other events within your industry?

Your Speaker’s Flexibility

For your own sanity, you’re going to want to know that your speaker can handle last minute changes at your event without causing more harm than good. Some worst case scenarios may include dealing with technology mishaps, room changes, and unresponsive crowds. Yikes!

Considering the following questions:

  1. How do you think your speaker would handle unpredictable conditions?

  2. Does your speaker seem like they would work well with differing personality types?

  3. Can your speaker bring up good examples of previous times they’ve had to adapt?

Your Speaker’s Involvement

While it’s not a requirement, having your speaker attend the event before and after their designated talk is definitely a big plus! It shows your attendees (and you) that they are invested in learning more about your industry and want to take the time to get more immersed in your world.

Considering the following questions:

  1. Do you get the impression that your speaker cares about your industry?

  2. How interactive do you think your speaker would be outside of their session?

  3. Does your speaker’s nonverbal cues seem to be friendly or impatient?

You likely spend a lot of time (and money) planning your events. So naturally, you want your attendees to have a great time – and come back for more! So how can you make sure your attendees do stay engaged and have a great time? Check out our free guide, 6 Ways to Supercharge Your Attendee Engagement, for a few ideas!

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