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6 Inspirational Keynote Speaker Events Professionals Should Attend in 2019

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By Kayla Matthews

To keep pace with business best practices, you need to stay at peak professional prowess. Your skill in the workplace depends on constant self-improvement, and there are few better — or more entertaining — ways to get inspired than by attending one of next year’s keynote speaker events.

At the best in their industry and the top of their class, keynote speakers offer insight that has guided them toward success in their careers. The advice of top executives, CEOs and thought leaders is invaluable, and professionals with high aspirations should reserve their passes as soon as possible.

In this article, we’ll list six inspirational keynote speaker events every businessperson should attend in 2019.

1. SXSW

South by Southwest began in 1987 and has only continued to grow in size and popularity. Based in Austin, Texas, the conference runs for 10 days from March 8 to 17 and attracts talent from the film, music and interactive media industries. Simply put, those in the entertainment sector can’t afford to skip SXSW.

Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom, television showrunner Marti Noxon and singers Shirley Manson and Lauren Mayberry are all set to appear on stage in 2019, providing a diverse lineup that’s sure to keep the interest of anyone involved in the creative community. Don’t miss out on this prime opportunity!

2. IBM Think

From one of the most famous names in innovation comes an exciting event every tech professional should make time to see. Hosted in San Francisco’s Moscone Center, IBM Think 2019 runs from Feb. 12 to 15, and promises to thrill attendees with incredible advances in their field, offering discussions with IBM experts.

Whether you’re a fledgling IT administrator, a software developer or the head of your own Silicon Valley startup, IBM Think 2019 will give you ample opportunity to network with like-minded individuals in your profession. This is one speaker event that’s mandatory for those who want to keep current.

3. Inspiring Women Leaders Conference

Relevant to businesspeople of any gender, the 2019 Inspiring Women Leaders Conference will host speakers who have overcome biases and barriers in male-dominated industries. Their success stories and actionable advice are an inspiration to those who struggle with similar obstacles every day.

Both men and women can learn from the trials of these individuals and their push for fair business practices. Interested professionals should set aside time from March 7 to 8 to attend the conference in Gainesville, Fla., hosted at the University of Florida’s Hilton Conference Center.

4. Inspire: Leading Authorities’ Day of Ideas

Leading Authorities, a Washington, D.C.-headquartered speakers bureau, is hosting a can’t-miss, one-day-only event featuring some of their most sought-after keynote speakers. The 2019 Day of Ideas event, held on March 8, is your opportunity to hear presentations on engaging topics, while networking with top professional meeting planners.

5. World Conference on Quality and Improvement

Representing attendees from a wide variety of industries and nationalities, the 2019 WCQI brings professionals together to discuss the challenges they face in today’s unpredictable marketing landscape. The 2019 theme is Leading Change, with a focus on how businesspeople can approach problems proactively.

From May 20 to 22 in Fort Worth, Texas, professionals will learn how they can engage tomorrow’s problems with today’s solutions. They’ll hear from inspirational speakers on how best to address subjects like AI, big data, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing and other relevant topics.

6. Adobe Summit

Adobe is a familiar brand in dozens of different industries, from advertising to finance to data management. Last year’s summit saw leaders from Coca-Cola, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn contribute to the conversation, and this year’s summit will introduce more big names in business.

Those interested in Adobe’s latest innovations will have a chance to hear from speakers who share their passion, and from March 26 to 28 in Las Vegas, Nev., professionals will meet in the Sands Convention Center and Venetian Congress Center to network and talk shop about their occupations.

Don’t Get Left Behind!

As an essential part of your company, you have a responsibility to stay up to date and ahead of the curve. Any of the six events listed here can help you on your way toward professional growth, so don’t hesitate!

Research an event and secure a spot today.

About the Author: Kayla Matthews writes about communication and workplace productivity on her blog, Productivity Theory. Her work has also appeared on Talent Culture, MakeUseOf, The Muse and Fast Company.

Featured image: Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

How to Start Speaking at Corporate Events

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By Stephanie Lynch

When most people start thinking about speaking in front of hundreds, if not thousands of people, they often think of their worst nightmare. However, there are a handful of us out there that would love to speak in front of groups about a particular topic or issue.

If you have been wanting to share your advice for quite some time now, a great way to start is via corporate events.

These events are designed to talk to people who want to learn about what you have to say. While starting out may not pay much, you may find down the road that if you become good enough at it — it could lead to some great money, potentially leading to a full-time gig. So if you have been thinking about speaking and don’t know where to really start, here’s how you should get started:

#1 Start Online

The best place to start is the Internet. Try to find some blogs or even consider starting one up yourself. The key here is that you’re going to want to start building a following that appreciates your knowledge of the topic. Once people start finding about you, they will be more likely to attend your speaking event.

If you don’t know where to find these blogs or even start with building a website, there are countless ways to do so. For starters, creating a website today is easier than ever. Content management systems, such as WordPress, can make your website look like the professionals. Most web hosting companies will be more than happy to install this system for you. Once it’s installed, play around with the themes and learn how to post. If that sounds like something that is too challenging, you may want to become a contributor to a handful of popular websites on your topic. As long as you provide value, 99 percent of the owners out there will be happy to take you in.

#1A Creating a Website for Speaking

This one kind of goes with number one, but I will label it as “1A.” If you’re serious about speaking, it’s important that you create a page that explains what you can do.

Since most organizers or conferences are going to ask for a “resume,” this website that you build will be a great way to give them all the information that they need. On this website, be sure to include the following:

– Overview: Talk a bit about yourself.

– What topics can you talk about?

– Show some sample videos or speeches you had done in the past

– Have people brag about you

– If you’re going to charge, let them know how it’s done.

– And lastly, don’t forget the contact information. Make sure that they can contact you through various methods.

If you can’t build a website, consider investing money to have it done by someone else. This can potentially be a deal breaker for serious speaking gigs.

#2 Network

Ah, the word “network.” This is a word that we just can’t get away from when it comes to the corporate world. If you want to learn how to speak at events, it’s so important that you network with other professional speakers and event organizers. This can be done via social media outlets, blogs or better yet — in person at the events. Some of the best people that you can get to know are the actual professionals who run the events.

#3 Submit your Ideas

No matter what industry you’re in, there are going to be a handful of conferences every year throughout the world. If the conference is serious enough, they should have a website, and on this website, there should be a “speakers wanted” page. If they have something like this, be sure to take advantage. Like applying for a job, take your time and make sure that everything is perfect.

Speaking at corporate gigs and events will take time. You can’t expect to make tens of thousands the first time you do it. Since I can’t cram everything into one post, I wanted to leave you with these amazing books as well:

– Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun

– Magic of Public Speaking by Andri Sedniev

– No Sweat Public Speaking by Fred E. Miller

Have you considered adding public speaking to your skill set?

Author’s Bio: Stephanie Lynch works for howmuchisit.org, a collection of cost helping guides. The next time you need to know what a surgery, professional service or something else costs in life, there’s a good chance it will be here.

Talking Your Way to Success

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By Eric Nacul

John is addressing a group of his peers on how to offer better customer service, when one of his colleagues starts periodically tapping the chrome plunger of a service bell. Undaunted, he continues and is delivering what he considers the talk’s most powerful point when his audience cuts him off mid-sentence with clapping.

Far from being rude, however, the group is helping John become a more effective communicator at one of the more than 13,500 nonprofit Toastmasters International clubs worldwide. And with more than 40 percent of those clubs sponsored by corporate giants like State Farm, Bank of America, IBM, Boeing and a host of government agencies, Toastmaster membership might well be one of the best tools for success.

Toastmasters traces its roots to 1903 when Ralph Smedley, education director of a YMCA in Bloomington, IL, saw a need for speech training there. Smedley formed the first permanent club in Santa Ana, CA, in 1924.

Meetings are typically held weekly and aim to enhance communication skills as well as listening, evaluation, interpersonal and leadership skills. Membership also offers great networking opportunities. While they vary from club to club, dues and fees typically run about $200 annually.

Toastmasters is the epitome of learning by doing. While each club does have officers, the duties of running a meeting as Toastmaster of the Day rotates from member to member. The various responsibilities of a meeting rotate as well. Key responsibilities include:

  • The Ah Counter counts the times a speaker uses “ah,” “and” and other filler words and uses a bell, clicker or other audible device to alert the speaker each time one is used.
  • The Grammarian keeps track of grammar mistakes, awkward sentence structure, pronunciation and other errors.
  • The Time Keeper typically uses an electronic timer to track a speech’s time and warns speakers at pre-determined points.
  • An Evaluator is assigned each of the meetings speakers to note what the speaker did well and what he or she can improve upon.

Toastmasters meetings usually run 60-90 minutes. An hour-long meeting might include three speakers giving 5-7 minute speeches as well as three or four Table Topic speakers of 1-2 minutes each.

While those giving longer speeches typically know well in advance and can write and prepare for their speech, Table Topic speakers have no idea of what their topic will be and have no time to prepare. The Table Topics Master chooses a topic ranging from the silly to the profound and then chooses a member at random to speak on it. Next he chooses another topic and another member and then another. Each member has the time it takes to stand to prepare.

The longer speeches are typically prepared in advance, with beginning Toastmasters working through the Competent Communicator manual, a guide on how to organize, research and write a speech as well as lessons on body language and vocal tone in delivering a speeh. Also in the manual is information on effectively giving various types of talks such as a persuasive speech, an inspirational speech, an entertaining speech, etc.

Members who aspire to greater oratory heights also have a number of advanced levels they can achieve. Periodic speech contests are held as well with advancement to local, regional and national levels possible.

But being a better speaker is only part of being a better communicator and Toastmasters also helps hone its members listening and critiquing skills. Evaluators are assigned to each speaker to watch, listen and note what the speaker does well and what needs improvement. Constructive evaluations are given with evaluators first noting what was done well and then giving areas in which the speaker can grow.

Meetings themselves are structured so that members become proficient in conducting efficient and effective meetings. Responsibilities for conducting meetings rotates among members as do other meeting responsibilities in addition to those already mentioned. There’s also a General Evaluator who observes and reports on the overall quality of the meeting.

For most members, improvement in their communication skills is fairly quick. And improvements in confidence, quick thinking, listening and leadership well serve anyone wanting to succeed. To learn more about Toastmasters, visit toastmasters.org.

Author’s Bio: Eric Nacul is a freelance writer, graphic designer and tech enthusiast who contributes to a number of sites, including one of his favorites, bestfreeonline.net. You can find him on Twitter as @ericnacul.