A top reason speaking submissions fail is a mismatch with the core audience. For instance, at IMEX, educational content is built for event planners (the buyers), not the hotel salespeople (the exhibitors). Deeply understand who the educational sessions are designed for before submitting a proposal.
In-person meetings are fundamentally more effective for building trust than any amount of digital communication. This trust is the foundation for significant business decisions, as people buy from individuals and brands with whom they've had a positive, tangible experience.
Attendees have an "experiencing self" and a "remembering self." The latter only retains a few key moments. Effective event design focuses on creating 3-5 powerful, memorable touchpoints that will stick with attendees and drive business outcomes long after the event ends.
Before seeking budget for an event, you must define its strategic purpose. Frame it not as an expense, but as a direct path to achieving core stakeholder objectives like business growth and stronger client relationships. If you can't define the 'why,' don't proceed.
Event programmers place immense value on recommendations from speakers they already know and trust. Building relationships with established speakers can lead to warm introductions that are far more effective than cold submissions, giving your proposal immediate credibility and a closer look.
Top-tier event programmers, like those at CES, prioritize finding the best speakers and deepest experts in a field, then build the program around them. To get selected, focus on establishing and proving your authentic, deep expertise in one specific niche, rather than just pitching a topic.