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Curating the right speakers for your conference: Azhar Morani, Division Head, Dome Corporate

The most vital decision to be made while curating an event is the profile of the speakers and the content of their talk, for it can make or break the event writes Azhar Morani.

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A conference is an amalgamation of different ideas and opinions brought together by people from various walks of lives, professions and educational backgrounds. Therefore, the most vital decision to be made while curating an event is the profile of the speakers and the content of their talk, for it can make or break the event. The key to creating the right mix of speakers is to consider the following aspects of the conference:

The Agenda

The first and most important part of creating a speaker list is to decide the agenda of your conference. Pick a subject for the conference that is broad enough to allow a multitude of opinions and viewpoints, but not so vague that it seems like the discussion has no direction. Decisions pertaining to selecting the right speakers cannot be made without deciding on a relevant topic of discussion. This decision will form the base that will help you in zeroing down on a defined list. It will also help potential speakers understand what you expect out of them and therefore, create their content better.

The Budget

Organising a conference is an expensive affair which includes a major part of the monetary resources being dedicated to the speakers. Do a thorough research and gather an estimate of the potential speakers’ fee for an event of your scale. Certain speakers also attend events on a barter basis, hence it is recommended for you to identify potential deliverables to work out a deal which is a win-win for both. Another important cost to ascertain when creating the speaker list is the value of the gifts and bouquets that will be given to them when felicitating them on stage. Add to this the cost of the venue, catering, decoration, and other essentials and you shall have a cost estimate for the event.

The Sourcing & Onboarding of Speakers

When shortlisting speakers, the most important aspect to take into account is the value a speaker would bring to the conference. While a known personality or a celebrity seems like an attractive option, ensure that they fit into the event’s bigger picture and contribute to the agenda.

Promotion of a conference is an important aspect to attract attendees and a notable speaker who can act as the face of the event can be an added advantage to your marketing strategy. Consider finding someone who has a good balance of fame and value to your event when choosing the ambassador for your event. However, keep in mind that while focusing on the main ambassador is important, maintaining equal respect for all the speakers is also vital, to ensure a smooth and professional execution of the event.

With the advent of technology, one of the main sources of finding speakers is social media platforms like LinkedIn and professional or industry forums. Networking plays a key role in getting access and set up negotiation channels for the onboarding of a speaker. An open line of communication between organisers and the manager of the speaker is extremely important to ensure quick approvals. Be sure to have the terms and conditions documented properly while onboarding the speaker, so that there is no last-minute confusion and everyone’s interests are safeguarded.

The Right Mix

A great conference is marked by an interesting and stimulating discussion between the speakers. For this, it is important to consider if the speakers are from backgrounds that can work well together and can bring different perspectives to the discussion. It is also imperative to maintain a balance in the tone of the discussion that will ensue. Hence the line-up needs to be thoroughly thought through.

Perhaps one of the most elementary, but often overlooked is the role of a moderator. The need for a moderator becomes even more important in discussions which are in a debate format, where there is scope for heated arguments. While appointing a moderator, choose someone who is credible enough to be respected by other panelists and has the judgement to interject the discussion to keep it healthy and on topic.

People who attend the conference, are coming there with the intent of learning something new and going back wiser than they came in. A good speaker needs to be someone who can value-add to the time and money the audience is investing in your conference. So it is your prime responsibility that the speakers are such that they leave a mark on the audience, to the point where you can also generate recurring attendance for your next one.


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dome events Azhar Morani

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