19 Dec WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CELEBRITY KEYNOTE SPEAKER APPEARANCES FOR BUSINESS EVENTS
Celebrity speaker appearances are part and parcel of modern event programs. To wit, there are many different types of well-known names who are regularly booked to give keynote speeches at major conventions, conferences and corporate gatherings. A few of the most common categories of folks you’d find making celebrity speaker appearances is apt to include:
- Actors & Entertainers: Famous actors, musicians, comedians, and TV personalities are hugely popular keynote options for conferences or corporate events. Examples include Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin Hart, Simon Cowell.
- Athletes & Coaches: Iconic sports superstars and championship winning coaches deliver inspiration packed speeches throughout a host of celebrity speaker appearances. Think Peyton Manning, Shaquille O’Neal, Abby Wambach, Mike Krzyzewski.
- Political Figures: Former presidents, governors, senators/congress members or international leaders often give keynotes, usually après leaving office. Al Gore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tony Blair fall into this category.
- Business Leaders & Innovation Icons: Household names in business, tech, science and economics often lend their insight for celebrity speaker appearances. Notables include Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Satya Nadella, Malcolm Gladwell, Savannah Guthrie.
- Social Activists: Those advancing high-profile social causes and justice through foundations, charities, and NGOs speak on their mission. Think Malala Yousafzai, Magic Johnson, Kerry Washington, George Clooney and other celebrity speaker appearances.
- Astronauts & Adventurers: Fascinating speakers are astronauts who traveled to space or adventurers who broke barriers like the first to walk Mount Everest. Buzz Aldrin being one example.
No matter the category, name recognition draws major crowds. Audiences relish hearing the engaging, entertaining, informative and inspiring stories that celebrity speaker appearances have to offer.
Major benefits of booking one for your event:
- Draws a Crowd: Celebrity speaker appearances garner major attention and buzz which translates into ticket and attendance sales. People are significantly more likely to attend events with a major name featured.
- Adds Excitement: Having a well-known star, athlete or iconic figure adds energy and excitement around your event. It creates a “once in a lifetime chance” appeal.
- Drives Media Coverage: Celebrities attract media, driving news mentions for your event across TV, radio, print and online outlets expanding your reach.
- Increases Sponsor Interest: Corporations may be more willing to sponsor and partner with events linked to celebrity speaker appearances figuring each brings positive brand exposure. Significant sponsorship dollars could follow.
- Opportunity to Meet VIPs: As a host, you often get valuable meet-and-greet access and photo-ops with celebrities attending your event. Great memories and content!
- Gets Social Media Buzzing: Leverage celebrities’ existing social media follower counts in the millions for major viral marketing potential around your event messaging.
The fame, visibility, and attention celebrity speaker appearances innately bring events makes booking them a smart publicity, attendance and revenue driver despite the larger appearance fees. Essential to finding success is ensuring the celebrity genuinely resonates with your target audience.