Get to Know the Different Types of Speakers and Presenters

Many marquee events and meetings feature professional speakers or keynote speakers for the audience. But did you know that there’s actually a difference between the two?

Presenters and speakers can fall into a number of different categories, and depending on the message you’re trying to send to your audience you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing the right one. To help you know what you’re getting before you book a speaker or presenter, here are the different types that are out there.

As you’d expect, a professional speaker is someone who has made speaking from a platform their occupation. Professional speakers can be used to present information, educate, encourage, or inspire. There are many types of professional speakers out there with varying degrees of experience.

A keynote speaker is a speaker that typically talks for about an hour at a general session about a subject that is pertinent to that particular dinner, banquet, conference or meeting. They have an uncanny way of stimulating an audience and usually include some form of entertainment. Keynote speakers can be broken down in categories such as: motivational speakers, inspirational speakers, educational speakers, and celebrity speakers.

An industry speaker is a person who has expertise or a reputation in a particular industry or field. These types of speakers appeal to niche audiences that are focused on a certain set of skills, but their advice that they give is typically trusted.

Entertainers are a great way to liven up any dinner, banquet, party, or special event. Choosing the perfect entertainer can make or break a conference or convention. Commonly hired types of entertainers include magicians, comedians, jugglers, dancers, musicians, and hypnotists. The categories of entertainers are truly endless, but when hiring one, just make sure that they have enough talent to keep your audience captivated and that will leave them with something to remember.