what is a keynote speaker

A keynote speaker is the primary speaker at an event, responsible for establishing the main underlying theme and setting the tone for the conference or event. They are often selected to raise interest in a particular event, such as a conference or large meeting sponsored by a corporation or association, and draw attendees to attend that program. Keynote speakers are usually experts in their respective fields and can talk extensively on a specific topic or industry. They may be provided with talking points to cover in their speech and may work independently or be represented by a speakers bureau. The role of a keynote speaker is to feature as the headline speaker at an event, invigorating the audience and delivering an engaging speech focusing on the topics established in a client brief. They are quick to command an audience with credible answers to burning questions, engaging audiences with new information and reinforcement of best practices in order to benefit the work.