The terms “keynote,” “panel” and “guest speaker” are used interchangeably, as if they all mean the same thing. Not so! In fact, they are all quite different from one another.
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What is a keynote speaker?
A keynote speaker is the most coveted spot in public speaking spaces. When a speaker is invited to keynote, they have arrived at the top tier for professional speakers. A keynoter is recognized for their experience and thought leadership. Event organizers choose a speaker to be the opening keynote or the closing keynote because of their caché—their ability to draw in and engage an audience. Writing a keynote speech is a big responsibility—and a privilege.
Conference organizers require keynote speakers to not only be motivational speakers but to provide tangible takeaways that event attendees will not only find inspirational, but practical. Keynote speakers share tactics that the audience can put into practice. Essentially, they are looking for a keynote speaker who will provide tremendous value to their event.
I’m a public speaking coach. I’ve helped hundreds of people write and deliver keynotes. In my opinion the term “keynote” has become diluted. For many people, simply speaking on an important stage connotes keynote address. This is not true. A keynote speaker stands head and shoulders above the other speakers such as plenary speakers, workshop facilitators, or breakout session hosts—that is, the other types of speakers who often present alongside keynote speakers at conferences.
It’s a privilege to be asked to present a keynote speech. It means you are respected in your field, delivering insight and vision that many other presenters are not as accomplished to be invited to deliver.
If you’re lost and unsure about how to make your presentation compelling, I can help.
Key Facts About Keynote Speakers
- Event Types: Conference, World Congress event, Fundraiser, Leadership Retreat, Private company training
- Audience: All attendees
- Typical length: 30 minutes to an hour (typically, keynotes are 45 minutes long)
- Speaking Fee: Starting at $5,000 to $7,000. A coveted speaker can command $100,000+. See my article on keynote speaking fees for more details.
- Types: opening keynote, closing keynote, motivational keynote, vision-casting keynote
- Slidedeck: Often keynote speakers don’t use projected slides, but some do
- Best for: Speakers looking to be seen as thought leaders or changemakers, brand building, spread awareness of critical issues
What is a panel speaker?
The panel speaker role is to provide perspective on a specific theme or issue while delivering a presentation with a number of either like-minded or dissimilarly minded speakers.
Often panel speakers are in a similar industry, but it is not uncommon for outside stakeholders to be included on the panel, to provide a different perspective.
Panel speakers are different than keynote speakers because they will take a deeper dive into a conference’s theme. They are chosen by event planners or organizers as an opportunity for attendees to understand different points of view and broaden their understanding of issues or ideas. The typical outline for a panel event is to have 3 to 5 speakers deliver a 10 to 20 minute speech. Then, the moderator asks questions of the group of speakers or fields questions from the attendees.
It is not unusual for an event to have different tracks where the attendees choose what they will attend.
Often new clients tell me they have been engaged as a “plenary speaker” when in fact they have confused the definition with being a panel speaker. There’s a difference—a plenary speaker delivers their presentation to an audience who must attend the session—there are no alternate tracks. Usually, the attendees break out into working groups after the plenary speech. Plenary sessions are typical for government or official industry annual meetings. To add to the confusion an opening keynote can come under the umbrella of “plenary,” since keynote speakers also give addresses to everyone at the event.
Key Facts About Panel Speakers
- Event Types: Conference, World Congress event, corporate event, and industry meeting.
- Audience: Attendees choose the track.
- Typical length: 10 to 20 minutes per speaker of individual speaking time, then up to 30 minutes of a moderated question and answer session.
- Speaking Fee: Stipend, conference entrance, and travel expenses. Some panel speakers do command a fee beginning at $1,000.
- Types: Designated moderator or one of the panel members moderates. The number of panel members usually ranges from three to five.
- Slidedeck: Most speakers don’t use projected slides, but some do.
- Best for: Speakers looking to be seen as industry experts, brand building, and create speaking opportunities.
What is a guest speaker?
A guest speaker is any speaker from outside an organization or industry who has been invited to speak. This type of speaker could have responded to a “call for speakers” and had their application accepted as an ideal speaker candidate. A speaker’s bureau also could have responded to a “call for speakers” on their client’s behalf.
The reason organizing committees invite guest speakers is to provide an outsider’s perspective or provide informational insight into a specific topic.
The prime keynote spot could be filled by a guest speaker. Keynote speakers are unique in the sense that they have an ability to draw in attendees.
Key Facts about Guest Speakers
- Event Types: Conference events, non-conference events, networking groups, Chamber of Commerce meetings.
- Audience: Any and all
- Typical length: 30 – 45 minutes
- Speaking Fee: Usually no fee or stipend is provided to guest speakers
- Types: Guest speakers are several types of speakers that can be slotted into many areas of an event.
- Slidedeck: Some guest speakers don’t use projected slides, others do.
- Best for: Speakers looking to be seen as industry experts. Brand building, business building, and create speaking opportunities.
Understanding the different types of opportunities on speaking stages is essential to knowing what the expectations are by event organizers and what you can expect in compensation.
