Keynote speakers are valuable additions to any event, whether it’s a corporate gathering, a motivational seminar, or a graduation ceremony. But what exactly is the purpose of a keynote speaker? What do they bring to the table that makes them an essential part of any successful event? Let’s explore the primary functions and benefits of having a keynote speaker at your next event.

Set the Tone of the Event: One of the primary purposes of a keynote speaker is to set the tone for the event. They are responsible for capturing the attention of the audience, delivering an opening statement that is impactful and memorable. Good keynote speakers have mastered the art of captivating their audience from the get-go, and they use this skill to set the stage for the rest of the event.

Inspire and Motivate the Audience: Another critical purpose of keynote speakers is to motivate and inspire the audience. They are often invited to speak at events to share their experiences and offer guidance to the audience. Good keynote speakers know how to connect with their audience and deliver a message that is relevant, informative, and inspiring. They motivate people to take action, better themselves, and strive for success.

Educate and Inform: Keynote speakers are experts in their fields, and they often have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share. They are invited to speak at events to educate and inform the audience on a particular subject. Good keynote speakers know how to deliver information in a way that is accessible and engaging, making complex ideas easy to understand.

Provide Entertainment: Keynote speakers are also often called upon to provide some entertainment at an event. They can use humor like Adam Christing does, or storytelling like Matthew Luhn, and other techniques to engage the audience and keep them entertained. This purpose of a keynote speaker is especially important at corporate events, where it’s essential to strike a balance between education and entertainment.

Enhance Networking Opportunities: Keynote speakers can enhance networking opportunities at events. After their speech, they may be available for a meet-and-greet or a book signing session. These opportunities help attendees connect with the keynote speaker, establish new business relationships, and grow their professional networks.

If you’re new to keynote speakers, here’s a handful of true crowd pleasers to consider booking for your event or meeting! 

Marc Randolph
Marc Randolph is a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, advisor, and investor, whose career as an entrepreneur spans four decades. In addition to being the co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, Marc has founded or co-founded six other successful startups, mentored hundreds of early-stage entrepreneurs, and as an investor has helped seed dozens of successful tech ventures (and just as many unsuccessful ones). He is host of the top-10 Apple podcast That Will Never Work, where he works directly with entrepreneurs to provide 1-on-1 mentoring. He lives in Santa Cruz, California.

Molly Bloom 
Legendary for running the world’s most exclusive high stakes poker game frequented by A-List Hollywood celebrities and sports figures, Molly Bloom is a top-booked inspirational speaker and one  of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women. She shares a life journey of triumph, ruin, and reinvention—from Olympic dreams crushed by a career-ending accident to seeing her multi-million-dollar business threatened by organized crime and shut down by the FBI. Her story of grit, resilience and self-determination has been called a “goosebump experience,” inspiring corporate audiences and winning stellar reviews.

Jia Jiang 
Jia Jiang is a top resilience keynote speaker with one of the most viewed TED Talks and the bestselling author of Rejection Proof. In 2019, Toastmasters International awarded Jiang the Golden Gavel, which is given annually to honor the best keynote speaker in the industry. In his book, website, and talks, Jiang provides inspiration and knowledge for people and organizations to become fearless through rejection training.

Robyn Benincasa
Robyn Benincasa is a top leadership and teamwork keynote speaker, author, and Adventure Racing World Champion. One of the highest-rated, female motivational speakers in the world, she regularly shares the stage with world leaders and business icons, her customers include many Fortune companies like Starbucks, Deloitte, Aflac, Boeing, and more.

Marcus Collins 
Considered America’s leading cultural translator since the success of his best-selling book, For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be, Dr. Marcus Collins is the recognized authority on leveraging the power of culture to influence behavior, inspire collective change, get people to share your vision, and most importantly, move them to take action. Dr. Collins is a professor of marketing at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, former head of strategy at Wieden + Kennedy, New York, and a regular contributor to Forbes. An inductee in the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement, he is the architect behind some of the most notable campaigns of the last decade for brands including Nike, Apple, Budweiser, and Beyoncé.

See a speaker you’re interested in? Contact BigSpeak Speakers Bureau today! Please email info@bigspeak.com to inquire.