I Just Returned from the World’s Largest Speaking Conference—Here’s What Meeting Planners and Bureaus Really Want When Hiring Speakers
- Kevin Snyder
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
🎤 I Just Returned from the World’s Largest Speaking Conference—Here’s What Meeting Planners and Bureaus Really Want When Hiring Speakers
Earlier this week I just got back from Phoenix, where I attended Influence—the world’s largest conference for professional speakers, hosted by the National Speakers Association. And wow… my head is still spinning.
Ideas. Motivation. Business strategies. New relationships to nurture. A few fresh systems to improve my own speaking business. And of course—some powerful reminders from the main stage. I watched some of the best speakers in the world… and I also saw a few things that reminded me what not to do. (We learn both ways, right?)
I’ll be writing a full Influence recap soon, but I want to start by spotlighting two of my favorite sessions—each led by panels of meeting planners, bureau agents, and association executives who hire speakers all the time - and $$$ nicely.
These sessions were two jam-packed hours of direct, real-world advice on what they look for in a speaker—and what makes them not book someone. You asked for the truth about what gets you hired (or skipped)? Buckle up. If you're serious about speaking, their feedback is your roadmap.
See below for 'What Meeting Planners Want and Don't Want!'
🔥 What Meeting Planners Don’t Want:
Trophy Talkers
If your outreach focuses on how “great” you are, you’ve already lost them. Skip the ego and prove your value through outcomes and the problem you help your audience solve. (Sound familiar? This is Module 1 in PAID to $PEAK)
Generic Messaging
Phrases like “leadership expert” are everywhere. Be different. Differentiate. Be clear. Be specific. (Module 1!)
Surprises or Diva Behavior
Event organizers don’t want to be blindsided, high maintenance or any surprises on site. The speaker has to be easy to work with and professional. (Module 5!)
Poor Preparation
Many of their clients are now asking for pre-booking calls before selecting the speaker. The speaker who gets selected is always the one most prepared ... and having great questions for the client showing they've done the homework and want to know more about their pain points. (Module 5!)
Lack of Audience Awareness
If you don’t research their organization, you're not relevant to them. Cannot be on stage and deliver dry content. Must be engaging and have a blend of content with delivery -- humorous and entertaining. (Module 2!)
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✅ What They Do Want:
Customization
Tailor your talk. Know their world. Speak to their pain points with depth and care. Stories must be positioned to be relevant.
A Killer Demo Video
Magnetic video and no longer than 3 minutes. Not just a recording. A professionally edited video that shows you connecting, storytelling, and delivering value.
Relevance, Story, and Humor
Today’s audiences want real. Be vulnerable, insightful, entertaining—and above all, useful.
Speaker-Partner Mindset
Help drive attendance. Offer a welcome video. Show up early. Stay afterward. Don't speak and flee. Add value beyond the stage. Touch base with other speakers prior to the event. Do MORE than they need and make your client the VIP.
Have an All-Inclusive Speaking Fee
Include travel expenses when quoting your fee.
Professionalism
Be prepared, organized, easy to work with—if a speaker is great to work with, acts like a partner and delivers a great speech, they will be hired again and again.
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More takeaways?
1. Speaking is an impact business—but it’s also a relationship business. Bureaus, event planners and association executives hire speakers who have been recommended through a trusted source. How do you get on the 'trusted source' list? You delight your audience and are easy to work with.
2. If speakers are not getting booked, the problem is likely the speech, the marketing, or both.
3. If a speech isn’t getting spin-off inquiries (i.e. re-bookings), that’s a signal it’s time to work on the message, the delivery, or both.
4. What makes a speaker stand out as The One? The speaker who does more than expected and creates a VIP experience for the audience!
5. Have a website tab "For Meeting Planners."
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I’ve been speaking for 25 years, but I’m still learning. Still growing. And still investing in community—because I can’t (and don’t want to) do this alone.
👉 Join NSA.
They have over 30 chapters across the U.S. Find your local chapter here.
👉 Join (or rejoin) Toastmasters. Find a club near you here.
If you’re not speaking regularly, it's hard to grow. Speaking is akin to speech crafting. Speakers are artists and the audience is our canvas. Toastmasters helps you practice. NSA helps you build the business. That’s why I wrote PAID to $PEAK—to help speakers do both.
Let me know where you’re at in your journey—I’d love to help you grow.
To your speaking success,
Kevin Snyder
Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)
Earn greatness today! Onward and upward!
Want to speak professionally, part-time or full-time?
Not getting PAID speaking engagements?
I've been honored to present for over 1,000,000 people through 1,150+ audiences in all 50 states and several countries. Whether I'm on a stage or in a training room with professionals or students, I absolutely LOVE motivating and inspiring people for higher performance. And in addition to my own speaking business, I have a passion for helping and coaching speakers learn how to catapult their speaking whether part-time or full-time. My book, PAID to SPEAK, outlines a proven model for speakers and is now an online course as well! Click here for online course info!
If you are serious about becoming a professional speaker, explore my coaching and mentorship options. I don't want you to flounder like I did and be frustrated.
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