The past year has witnessed a plethora of captivating speaking topics by our different Keynote Speakers. While expectations were high for a return to “normal” in corporate events, 2023 unfolded, revealing that normalcy is still a fluid and evolving notion in the world of events.
Our attention has been keenly focused on the trends shaping our reality in 2023, serving as a compass for anticipating the speaking requests that will dominate in 2024. The return to the office has been met with reluctance. Global environmental and humanitarian crises have added complexity to our landscape. The discourse around diversity is transforming, and technology is advancing at a pace that often outstrips companies’ ability to harness its potential. Amidst all these dynamics, an overwhelming sense persists.
Despite these challenges, we approach the upcoming year optimistically at The Keynote Curators. We firmly believe in the transformative power of the spoken word to inspire, educate, and instigate change where needed. As we navigate the diverse array of speaking requests, here are the speaking trends that hold our closest attention as we step into 2024 and the reasons behind our focus.
The current rave around Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal theme that will take center stage in 2024. If 2023 marks the widespread accessibility of generative AI, the ensuing year promises a collective exploration of its applications for efficiency, process enhancement, and operational streamlining. Companies worldwide are strategically planning to harness the capabilities of generative AI and machine learning (ML) to foster growth and scale improvements. While these technologies aren’t novel, their surge in mainstream accessibility and adoption characterized 2023.
However, the rise in AI’s popularity is not without associated risks. Concerns regarding copyrights and trademarks are rising as tools evolve to encompass image generation and voice simulations. Authors have already initiated lawsuits against Big Tech, hinting at a trend that could disrupt industries relying on creative product licensing.
In the year ahead, the focus for many of us will shift towards making AI an ally rather than a challenge. Understanding how to effectively incorporate technology into daily operations to drive enhancements, save time, reduce costs, and enable scalable growth becomes paramount. Speakers who can enlighten audiences on AI, offering specific use cases across diverse industries like manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and financial services, will be in high demand.
As the emerging technology landscape unfolds, so does the urgency for heightened cybersecurity. Anticipate this topic to maintain relevance, making it a robust choice for speaking events in 2024.
Related content: A Powerful Artificial Intelligence Tool Developed for #EventProfs
With events returning to total capacity, attendees naturally yearned for connection. Genuine connection arises when individuals feel included, heard, valued, and significant to others.
Over the past few years, the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) discourse landscape has undergone significant transformations. Organizations responding promptly to the events surrounding George Floyd, BLM, and the racial protests of mid-2020 implemented new policies, appointed dedicated DEI leadership positions, and took a resolute stand against racism. These movements catalyzed a surge in speaking requests for education and awareness of diversity and inclusion.
Subsequently, we witnessed a surge in violence against the Asian American population, the emergence of the End Asian Hate movement, and an increased demand for heightened racial understanding. Gender identity has also recently emerged as a hotly debated topic. Amidst these dynamics, books highlighting these differences face bans in some regions, contributing to heightened polarization and passionate discussions.
For the past two years, diversity-related speaking topics have consistently topped the Speaking Industry Benchmark Report as the most sought-after theme for event organizers. However, a shift is anticipated in 2024.
Amidst debates surrounding the DEI philosophy, it became evident that the term ‘inclusion’ holds different meanings for different individuals. In the upcoming year, a shift in terminology is anticipated, moving away from the potentially polarizing terms of diversity and inclusion. Instead, the focus will pivot towards the concept of belonging, aligning more closely with the ultimate goal of these initiatives — fostering a sense of belonging for attendees, employees, students, and guests.
At TKC, we strongly advocate that enhancing belonging in our industry and across all event audiences involves empowering individuals with choices. Regardless of where one searches for speakers, an expectation is set for diverse representation in gender, race, age, and abilities. This inclusivity extends across a broad spectrum of topics, ensuring a growing array of various speaker options. The more diverse voices we include, the more audiences will recognize themselves in the speaker, fostering a profound sense of belonging.
The events industry witnessed a crucial surge in neurodiversity discussions in 2023, coupled with commendable strides in enhancing accessibility for learners of all profiles.
We are now seeing a shift, with a more comprehensive-looking plan to serve visually impaired or hard-of-hearing attendees better and designing events attuned to the preferences of autistic and neurodivergent populations. This marks recognition that diversity extends beyond visible differences to individuals with distinct needs and preferences.
Anticipating the momentum gained, we believe 2024 is set to increase the demand for educational themes embracing neurodiversity, focusing on topics such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Another exciting development is the emergence of neurodiverse speakers taking center stage, addressing mainstream popular issues like motivation, business, finance, and technology. These differences among us are set to be accepted and valued.
Moreover, with 2024 marking another Olympic year for our world, the eagerly awaited 2024 Paralympic Games beckon this summer, serving as a powerful testament that greatness transcends physical limitations. As we come into these pivotal moments, the convergence of neurodiversity and accessibility promises to redefine the landscape, fostering an environment where everyone’s unique strengths are celebrated.
Though we find ourselves on the other side of the recent pandemic, the world remains far from normalcy. Fortunately, as conversations about the imperative need for attention to our mental health have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, organizations persist in acknowledging the value of providing mental health resources and inspiration to diverse audiences.
Mental health is poised to be a compelling and vital theme in 2024, even for event speakers. Topics such as suicide awareness, antibullying, addiction and recovery, resilience, and mindfulness are expected to take center stage. These critical discussions destigmatize and shed light on some of the most challenging aspects of the year. The good news is that we are fortunate to have impactful and experienced speakers well-versed in addressing these mental health themes.
Moreover, the ongoing demand for topics surrounding happiness and self-care is projected to persist, offering valuable support to overarching mental health initiatives. In the year ahead, the commitment to open conversations surrounding mental well-being will continue to play a crucial role in fostering understanding, resilience, and a collective pursuit of happiness.
If 2022 marked the era of the “great resignation”, 2023 could be aptly described as the year when the tides began to shift.
In recent months, employers have reclaimed the upper hand, not merely urging employees to return to the office but making it mandatory and leveraging job security as a compliance measure. This shift, coupled with the job market adapting to the impact of AI on various professions, substantial layoffs by large corporations, and an uncertain economic and political outlook in 2024, has ushered us into an employer’s market.
This shift has created a pervasive sense of fear and uncertainty for employees. Recognizing that fear may act as a motivator but is not a sustainable strategy, daily work in a fear-laden environment leads to stress, health issues, and reduced productivity, ultimately becoming detrimental to business. Every employee’s interactions with customers underscore the critical importance of their well-being. Unhappy employees resonate through businesses, affecting revenue and fostering a decline in morale.
In recent years, organizations have honed in on the significance of corporate culture, a focus that will persist as a priority for management and HR teams. To maintain high employee productivity, minimize stress, and uphold morale, top employers in 2024 must recognize that employees no longer need their jobs — they need an environment that inspires brand advocacy and champions loyalty. This entails an ongoing commitment to providing programs, education, and motivation that uplift employees, fostering a culture that encourages loyalty, and investing time in recognizing and rewarding their teams.
For event organizers, the resurgence of events in the industry brings a heightened competition for attendees’ time and travel budgets. A trend emerging in 2024 is the growing significance of learning and development for event audiences.
The paradigm shift involves event organizers offering increased value in exchange for attendees dedicating their valuable time to participate. This entails providing unique and possibly exclusive training opportunities, imparting tangible skills, and curating memorable experiences unattainable elsewhere. The emphasis will be on delivering practical tips and valuable takeaways, empowering attendees to promptly apply newfound knowledge upon returning to work. This approach aims for a quick impact, showcasing a measurable return on investment (ROI) for attending the event.
This shift was exemplified at a recent event I attended that prioritized skill education in its agenda while incorporating motivating keynotes. The practical tips shared in one session were immediately implemented in marketing campaigns, positively impacting results by the end of the week.
Conversations with an association revealed a similar shift in programming for their upcoming annual event. Their approach is grounded in providing attendees with so much education and learning that the desire to return next year becomes irresistible. By combining robust learning opportunities with successful networking experiences, they aim to create a winning formula that enhances the overall value proposition for attendees.
As we confront a myriad of challenges in 2024, including economic uncertainty, a presidential election year, global conflicts, and the pressing issue of climate change, futurism stands out as a vital topic for speakers in the coming year.
Speakers adept at analyzing past market behavior or possessing a profound historical understanding of political conflicts will be sought after to guide us in understanding what to expect in the years ahead. While not a guarantee, the ability to decipher patterns and identify trends empowers us all to face these challenges armed with the valuable tool of information.
A notable aspect expected to evolve within futurism revolves around the ethical use of generative technologies. The challenges faced by content creators navigating copyright concerns are already under scrutiny. The expansion of our world through generative technologies, coupled with the exploration of legal and ethical boundaries, will undoubtedly spark an ongoing and evolving debate.
While these trends represent a portion of the diverse topics for which we’ll book talented speakers in 2024, we eagerly anticipate watching these seven themes unfold in the coming year. Like you, we maintain optimism that 2024 will bring experienced, inspiring, and entertaining voices to events, creating memorable experiences for attendees and catalyzing the next wave of innovation.
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