If there’s one thing I’ve learned over nearly three decades of working with event planners, it’s this:
The best speakers don’t just inspire audiences — they make life easier for the people who booked them.
From APAC conference rooms to corporate offsites, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with hundreds of extraordinary event professionals. And whether it’s a team of five or five hundred, the same core needs come up time and time again.
So if you’re a speaker (or aspiring to be one), or an event decision-maker wanting to know you’re in safe hands, here’s what I’ve learned that truly matters.
1. Please, be easy to work with.
Great content is important. But great collaboration is essential.
Event planners are juggling venue changes, AV hiccups, last-minute dietary requests, and a dozen competing priorities. What they need from a speaker is simple:
- Clear communication
- Responsiveness
- A positive, flexible attitude
- The ability to roll with the unexpected
Bonus points for asking: “What can I do to make your life easier today?”
2. Customise your content, but don’t reinvent the wheel.
Event planners are looking for relevance, not reinvention. They don’t expect a brand new talk every time — they want your core message adapted to their people, their theme, and their moment.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Use their language and acronyms
- Reference their industry or current challenges
- Align with their broader program
I always ask, “What do you want people thinking, feeling, or doing differently after I speak?” That one question unlocks everything.
3. Stick to time. Seriously.
This one gets said with a sigh every single time.
Speakers who go overtime throw entire events off schedule. It’s stressful, it’s disrespectful, and it’s entirely avoidable.
Build in flexibility, yes. Read the room, absolutely. But honour the run sheet.
Your brilliance won’t land if you cause panic in the control booth.
4. Bring your energy — but leave the ego.
Event planners want speakers who light up the stage — not dominate it. There’s a difference.
Confidence is magnetic. But when it tips into arrogance or makes the session all about you, it alienates everyone else in the room.
The best feedback I’ve ever received?
“You made our audience feel seen.”
And that, right there, is what earns repeat bookings.
5. Know your role in the bigger picture.
No speaker is the whole show. Whether you’re the opening keynote, the lunchtime energiser, or the closing message, your session is part of a carefully designed arc.
Ask questions like:
- How does my session build on or set up other parts of the day?
- What tone are we opening or closing with?
- How can I reinforce the event’s core message?
When you understand the broader context, you become a trusted partner — not just a speaker slot.
After 28 Years, Here’s What I Know For Sure:
Being a speaker isn’t about having the perfect story or the flashiest slides. It’s about being memorable and manageable. Powerful and professional.
If you’re an event planner reading this: I see you. Your job is extraordinary (and exhausting). Thank you for what you do.
And if you’re looking for a keynote speaker who gets it, who shows up ready, and who puts your audience and your outcomes first —
Because when the partnership works, the impact soars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do event planners value most in a speaker?
Clear communication, punctuality, and a collaborative attitude are key.
Why do speakers get rebooked by event organisers?
They’re professional, easy to work with, and create real audience impact. See how I build audience connection in this article on resilience and leadership for APAC events.
How can a speaker customise content without overhauling it?
By adapting key messages to suit the audience, theme, and context — not rewriting the whole talk.
What frustrates event planners about keynote speakers?
Going overtime, being unprepared, or failing to connect with the audience.
Why is understanding the event flow important for speakers?
It helps speakers support the bigger picture — not just their slot — and deliver impact at the right moment.
