top of page

How to Book a Professional Guest Speaker for a Corporate Event in the UK

  • 3 days ago
  • 4 min read
Big Mo - Kody Mommaerts in conversation with former Boxing World champion Tony Bellew
Big Mo - Kody Mommaerts in conversation with former Boxing World champion Tony Bellew

Corporate events, conferences and leadership programmes often benefit from an inspiring outside voice. A speaker from Professional Guest Speakers can energise an audience, provide valuable insights and help reinforce important business messages.


This guide explains how companies typically book a professional guest speaker and what to consider when choosing one.


High Performance & Transitional Relationship Specialist - David Campion
High Performance & Transitional Relationship Specialist - David Campion

What Is a Professional Guest Speaker?

A Professional Guest Speaker is an expert presenter invited to speak at conferences, corporate events, leadership programmes or industry meetings.


Organisations hire guest speakers to share knowledge, inspire audiences and provide insights based on real-world experience.


Professional guest speakers are often specialists in areas such as leadership, innovation, business growth, sales performance or team motivation. Their presentations are designed to engage audiences and support the overall goals of the event.


Danny Crates - Resilience & High Performance Speaker
Danny Crates - Resilience & High Performance Speaker

Quick Summary

  • A professional guest speaker delivers presentations at corporate events, conferences and business programmes.

  • Companies hire speakers to inspire teams, share expertise and support the theme of an event.

  • Speakers may specialise in leadership, motivation, innovation or business strategy.


Anna Hemmings MBE - The Mindset Behind World-Class Performance
Anna Hemmings MBE - The Mindset Behind World-Class Performance


Why Companies Hire Guest Speakers

There are several reasons organisations choose to include a guest speaker at corporate events.


Fresh Perspective

An external expert can provide new ideas and insights that internal teams may not normally hear.


Motivation and Inspiration

Motivational speakers often help energise teams, particularly during company conferences, sales kick-offs or leadership programmes.


Industry Expertise

Many speakers are recognised experts in their field and bring valuable experience from business, sport, technology or academia.


Creating Memorable Events

A powerful keynote presentation can transform a standard conference into a memorable and impactful experience for attendees.


Michael Caulfield - Sports Psychologist & Performance Keynote Speaker
Michael Caulfield - Sports Psychologist & Performance Keynote Speaker

How to Choose the Right Guest Speaker

Selecting the right speaker is important to ensure the presentation resonates with the audience.


Understand Your Audience

Consider who will be attending the event. Executives, sales teams and young professionals may respond to different types of speakers and topics.


Choose a Relevant Topic

The speaker’s expertise should align with the theme or objectives of the event.


Consider Presentation Style

Some speakers focus on motivational storytelling, while others deliver practical business insights or case studies.


Look for Experience

Experienced professional speakers are comfortable presenting to large audiences and adapting their presentations to suit different audiences.


Penny Mallory - Resilience & Mental Toughness Keynote Speaker
Penny Mallory - Resilience & Mental Toughness Keynote Speaker

How to Book a Guest Speaker

Booking a professional guest speaker usually involves several straightforward steps.

  1. Define the objectives of the event and the audience profile.

  2. Decide what type of speaker would best support the event theme.

  3. Review recommended speakers and their presentation topics.

  4. Confirm availability and agree on the speaking fee.

  5. Brief the speaker about the organisation and event goals.


Many organisations work with a specialist speaker agency to manage this process and recommend suitable speakers.


Dr Alison Edgar MBE - Transformational Business Speaker
Dr Alison Edgar MBE - Transformational Business Speaker

How Much Does a Guest Speaker Cost in the UK?

The cost of hiring a professional guest speaker can vary depending on several factors:

  • The speaker’s experience and reputation

  • The size and location of the event

  • Preparation or customisation required

  • Length of the presentation


In the UK, business speakers often charge between £1,000 and £10,000 or more, while high-profile keynote speakers may command higher fees.


Working with a speaker agency can help organisations identify speakers that match both the event objectives and the available budget.


Chris Kamara & Ben Shephard - 'An Evening With'
Chris Kamara & Ben Shephard - 'An Evening With'


Types of Corporate Guest Speakers

Organisations may choose from a wide range of professional speakers depending on the theme of the event.

Common categories include:

  • Leadership speakers

  • Motivational speakers

  • Innovation and technology speakers

  • Entrepreneurship speakers

  • Sales and performance speakers

  • After dinner speakers for corporate events


Each type of speaker offers a different perspective and style of presentation.



Dominic Holland - Keynote Speaker - 'Eclipsed'
Dominic Holland - Keynote Speaker - 'Eclipsed'


About Professional Guest Speakers

Professional Guest Speakers is a UK-based speaker bureau that connects organisations with keynote speakers, motivational speakers and industry experts for conferences, corporate events and leadership programmes.


The agency helps businesses identify speakers who match the theme, audience and objectives of their event.


Services include:

  • Corporate keynote speakers

  • Motivational speakers for business events

  • Leadership speakers

  • Conference and event speakers

  • After dinner speakers


Organisations across the UK use Professional Guest Speakers to find experienced presenters for corporate events, conferences and business programmes.
Stewart Barker - Lessons from the Battlefield Workshops
Stewart Barker - Lessons from the Battlefield Workshops

Frequently Asked Questions


What does a keynote speaker do?

A keynote speaker delivers the main presentation at a conference or corporate event. The keynote presentation usually sets the tone and theme for the rest of the programme.


When should you book a guest speaker?

Popular professional speakers may be booked several months in advance, particularly for large conferences or annual corporate events.


Do speakers customise their presentations?

Many professional guest speakers tailor their presentations to suit the organisation, audience and objectives of the event.




 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page