Qualities to look for in a great event speaker

[Clark]

Every year, companies invest thousands of dollars in organizing events, only for them to be a waste of money. Having a successful event goes beyond the venue, catering, and goody bags. There are some hidden elements, of which if you get right, the others seem almost inconsequential.
What matters to attendees is the value they get out of the event, and how it will impact their lives. Keeping this in mind, the type of speaker you select to deliver your message will make all the difference. So, to avoid your next event from being a dud, here are the five qualities you should look out for in a conference speaker.
1. Confidence
Public speaking has never been an easy gig to pull. Even presidents go through lessons to better address their political crowds. When looking for someone to speaks to the guests at your event, be wary of their confidence level. People tend to trust others who show belief in themselves. After all, you will not trust a fireman who tells you to jump when they are 5-feet away from the ledge now, would you? The conviction with which the speaker orates their message will determine whether it sticks or not.
2. Are they presentable?
Every event demands a particular dress code. Dinner parties have cocktail dresses, and rock concerts have torn jeans and obscene t-shirts. The conference speaker that you choose needs to look the part. The way you dress and appear before an audience will determine how serious they take you.
3. Level of awareness
Society is increasingly becoming cosmopolitan. People of different cultures are living and working together within the same communities. However, cultural beliefs remain and shape the way you process information. A good speaker needs to be aware of the sensitivities within the audience. What may seem appropriate to you does not necessarily apply to your neighbor.
The language that the speaker uses to communicate should be all-inclusive. Taking into account all the members in attendance such that none feels alienated.
4. Knowledgeable
The audience of an event consists of people within similar lines of work or trains of thought. Therefore, when identifying a speaker to talk on a particular topic, they need to have expertise in that field. You would not expect a trained mechanic to deliver a speech on human genome therapy. Always research the background of the individual before committing to them as the guest panelist at your event. Facts do matter when addressing audiences. Any misinformation may have devastating consequences on your reputation and brand.
5. Audience Engagement
The best events are where the audience are also active participants. Good orators often incorporate real-life cases that people can identify with during their speeches. It helps in information retention and leaves the audience clamoring for more.
Gone are the days of long lectures and note-taking. Events are now more information exchange and active interactions. As an event planner, you need to be aware of the type of people you are hosting and what appeals to them. Only then can you say that your event was successful.