What is an after dinner speaker and why do people book them?

An after dinner speaker is an individual who is invited to speak at a formal meal following events such as: Corporate or business events, Conferences, Charity fundraising or Burns nights, Private functions. What the aim of such speeches is to either entertain, so the audience forgets that they are working, inspire the audience so the audience is inspired to do better and educate the audience on what it takes to have that success in their work or personal lives, while blending humour, story telling and motivational messages.

Whether you book an after-dinner speaker or not it is clear that there are many advantages to doing so:

  1. Entertainment: With the right kind of speaker, the audience is engaged with a combination of humor and stories. This action results in a favourable guest experience and a positive last memory of the event. The speaker ends with charm and humor, a unique and novel method to close out the dinner and leave participants entertained and laser high.
  2. Inspiration and Motivation: Most after-dinner speakers are great individuals with successful careers or life stories. They are successful and their drive and ability to bounce back against all odds can resonate with the listeners. It means that, for example, a company’s event could use motivational speakers in the UK to motivate its team and cultivate a culture of “stress free” work.
  3. Learning and Awareness: Expert speakers can provide details and awareness about the topics. This can be especially helpful during conferences or similar professional avenues where the audience is attending to be exposed to new thought processes and to learn tips from a speaker on that area.
  4. Networking and Engagement: An open speaker can create a great deal of conversation, and networking can flourish amongst guests when they are engaged with a stimulating conversation. The way in which they speak also acts as a neutral chat topic and encourages guests to bond.
  5. A Focal Point – An after-dinner speech can help structure an event, serving as a focal point around which the rest of the evening is based on. This guarantees that they have something to to look forward to, by providing a high point during the night and in making the schedule entertaining and varied for the attendees.

Picking the Right After-Dinner Speaker In terms of Audience and Event Objectives

The style of the speaker should suit the tone of the event, and the content should resonate with a similar audience. For example, a business event may be best served by a speaker with a strong business background, whereas a charity event would probably do better with someone who has a heartwarming tale of how they selflessly helped someone else.

To sum up, little things like booking an after-dinner speaker can change a mediocre event into something spectacular. Providing a memorable experience to all the patrons with entertainment, inspiration and education. An after-dinner speaker can transform the overall success of an event, helping boost morale, share invaluable information or just make sure that everyone goes home with a smile on their face.

If you need help, please reach out to The Right Address after dinner speaker agency for advice.