If you are working on your 25/2026 budgets and thinking ahead to the strategic meetings and conferences that are on the planning table, you are likely thinking about all the ways you can stretch your meeting dollar. We see clients working hard to negotiate the best contracts with hotels, reviewing F&B budgets, scrutinizing AV orders (this category has skyrocketed since Covid), but not necessarily taking a look at speaker opportunities and how to maximize your RSP (Return on Speakers). This is an area that deserves some exploration!
According to Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) “Meetings Outlook” reports, the industry has been experiencing significant cost increases across various areas.
These rising costs have outpaced budget growth, leading to concerns among event professionals about staying within budget. In the Q1 2025 report, 47% of respondents expressed being “very concerned” about costs outpacing budgets, and 43% were “somewhat concerned.”
This trend highlights the growing challenge for companies and planners in managing budgets effectively amid escalating expenses in the meetings and events industry.
Speakers are significant contributors to success of the meeting outcomes. And, they are also the heart of the meeting!
Consider the proportion of the speaker fee to the overall event expenses. Some meetings invest more on table decorations, F&B, incentives and giveaways than on content rich keynotes and workshops. I’ve seen several conferences, over the years where the organizers decided to scale back on quality of speakers going with either lower-paid or industry speakers. What followed was poor quality sessions, reduced participation and engagement, as well as, lower attendance. Lower attendance at conventions can huge losses in revenue, and membership, which can further lead to attrition from the association.
So how can you maximize your RSP? (Return on Speaker Fees). Use your speaker creatively and engage them in the design of the conference!
BEFORE THE EVENT
Since Covid we have seen a steady and optimistic return to in-person events. But we still see lead times lagging with a ‘wait and see’ attitude. Some clients are engaging speakers a few short months and even weeks out before an event. It is best to start the booking process earlier to engage the speaker in the agenda design.
Think about the expertise of your speaker. Yes, the stage is where they shine, but think about the hundreds and hundreds of conferences and events they have attended. They have seen it all! They can help with suggesting creative meeting themes and also recommend best times for their sessions.
Can your speaker’s name help with a sponsorship pitch? We have lots of clients who actively seek out their preferred speaker, and then have to go find sponsorship dollars to make it work. Some speakers are open to shooting a short 60 second video that can be sent to potential attendees to get momentum and engagement prior to the event—this is a great place to thank sponsors for making the engagement possible.
Great speakers want to get to know their audiences and make a real impact. Use this to your advantage. More clients should take us up more on getting our speakers to help engage in social media prior to and during the event.
DURING THE EVENT
Many speakers are willing to combine a keynote with additional services to add value. An opening keynote and a breakout session scheduled close together is a value add that many people over look.
Even if the speaker charges more for the extra services, there can be significant savings in travel and fees. Consider working in collaboration with another like minded event to book the same speaker for multiple engagements. Provincial associations could also benefit from cost sharing a speaker tour.
Have the speaker perform multiple roles like hosting an opening night dinner, or interviewing executives, or facilitating a panel. Every speaker is different and will have a different skill set, but make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to leverage these skills.
AFTER THE EVENT
Many speakers offer some pretty incredible follow up tools to audiences they have spoken to. Attendees can join their email lists, they can sign up for free post event webinars, or valuable new goal check-ins 30 days following the event.
We all focus so much on event day, but a little planning and prep in advance will help you re-kindle the excitement of the event and keep the afterglow even longer!
Enjoyed this post? Here’s more tips and ideas to help you with the planning and execution of your next event:
You Just Booked Your Keynote Speaker! 4 Tips You Can’t Miss!
Hire A Professional MC To Elevate Your Next Event – 4 Insider Tips