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Author:
Yvon Douran

Meetings are as diverse in their purpose and structure as the speakers who are on the platform at these meetings. They can be international, national, regional. They can be internal meetings, external meetings, sales meetings, client conferences, user conferences, annual conferences or leadership retreats.

Once you have determined the purpose, theme and structure of your meeting you will have a better idea of your speaker needs. The following descriptions will help you define exactly how you utilize a speaker’s services:

Keynote Speaker ( keynote - the main idea or theme). In public speaking the word keynote refers to the principal underlying theme of a larger idea hence the topic that a keynote speaker addresses usually relates to the reason or purpose behind a meeting.

The keynote address or keynote speech: An opening keynote speaker is bought in to set the underlying tone and summarize the core message or most important revelation of the event. A closing keynote speaker will be engaged to end a conference on a high note. If an event is held over a longer period of time, it is not unusual to have a different keynote speaker for each day of the event. . Often referred to as “featured keynote speaker"

General Session Speaker

A well chosen general session speaker can contribute a lot to a successful meeting and help to make it dynamic, productive, informative and memorable. Adding good quality audio, video, lighting, special effects, custom stage sets and theatrical scenery can also help to create an environment of energy and excitement Organize general sessions where the attendees can actively learn and take away new skills they can apply in their organizations and in their lives.

Plenary Speaker

When a speaker is referred to as a plenary speaker that person is often from within an organization, the same industry or a related industry. As opposed to a professional speaker or independent expert on a particular subject who is bought in to be a marquee keynote speaker.

Plenary Sessions

These are often concurrent sessions that focus on issues important to an industry sector or a particular aspect of a practice applicable to all industries. Mini-plenary sessions are usually open to all registrants.

Breakout Session Speaker

Typically a breakout session speaker is not on the main platform. A breakout session is a more focused session that is typically one hour to 2 ½ hours in length. Often breakout sessions are offered simultaneously in different meeting rooms and attendees decide which sessions that wish to attend. A main stage keynote speaker is sometimes asked to give a breakout session that immediately follows the keynote address. This provides an opportunity for attendees to participate, interact and learn more – they do not get this opportunity when they sit and listen to a keynote address.

Written by Yvon Douran, President of Keynote Resource your preferred bureau for keynote speakers, motivational speakers, celebrity speakers and corporate entertainment at http://www.keynoteresource.com

| Article Keywords: Professional Speaker

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Professional Speaker... Speakers: Become an Author without Being a Writer Yourself Speakers will always benefit from having a book to sell at their public events and on their websites. It's one of the most significant things you can do to jumpstart both your career and your earning potential. Traditional publishing houses buy nine out of every nonfiction books on the basis of a proposal by the author. A proposal generally consists of an introductory letter describing yourself, your book, and how you plan to promote it, as well as a couple sample chapters. However, if either you don't feel competent enough to write a book or are simply too busy with your speaking engagements to write, you can still create a book to sell at your events. In fact, you have a couple of very good options, depending upon your time and expertise. First, you could collaborate with someone in your field, which would allow you to partner with a person who is also interested in creating a book, but may be in a similar situation and unable to write their own book for whatever reason. If you collaborate, each of you only needs to write half a book, or you can bounce ideas off each other and create a jointly written book using the ideas you generate. If you hire a ghostwriter, you'll have a number of options, as well. You could dictate the book, you could put it down in outline form, or you could write a rough draft. A ghostwriter's fees will vary, depending upon expertise, amount of time needed for completion, and the amount of actual writing or rewriting that will be required. You'll find many ghostwriters to choose from, but make sure to shop around. Ask colleagues and associates for references, and interview several possible ghostwriters before you make a decision. Ask to see samples and ask for references. It's important to know that they can do what they say they can...