The Risky Move No One on Your Planning Team Wants to Admit
Boring keynote speakers are costing you more than you think

After being a professional speaker for 20 years, here is what I know for a fact. Every meeting planner wants to create an unforgettable experience. You focus on the perfect venue, top-tier catering, tight run-of-show, and flawless logistics.

But here’s the truth that no one on your planning team wants to admit:

Your biggest risk isn’t the weather. It’s not the Wi-Fi. It’s not even the AV team.

It’s your boring keynote speaker.

And if you don’t get this right, you risk losing your audience—and your credibility as a leader.

Let’s talk about Emily

Emily was the gold standard in the company. Sharp. Strategic. Always three steps ahead.

For 7 years, she has selected speakers for sales kickoffs, the all-staff retreats and leadership summits. She picked the big names with big bios, and a big social media following.

But this last year? The closing keynote flopped.

The speaker looked great on paper. Well edited video. Polished Website. Even had a TED Talk.

But 10 minutes in, the audience was already on their phones.

By the end, people weren’t just disengaged. They were disappointed. Emily feel it coming…the bad post-event surveys. The hallway whispers. The comments from her bosses in the c-suite.

And here’s what I told her (in my Liam Neeson Voice):

Borning speakers are not just bad for your meeting, they are bad for your culture.

I have a particular set of skills that will have your people thinking differently and acting differently. I don’t do boring.

So what’s really happening on your main stage?

Maybe you haven’t had a Emily moment yet, but chances are, you’ve felt that unease.

Your audience is changing. They want real a experience, not canned inspiration.
Your leaders are overwhelmed. They need strategy, not soundbites.
Your culture is shifting. You need someone who can move the needle, not just the mic.

Often times, planners default to the same kind of speakers:

• Stale bios
  
• Sterile stories
  
• Insufficient impact
  

Let’s be real: If your keynote can’t drive real change, it’s just information. And that’s not enough anymore.

The uncomfortable truth no one wants to say

Here’s what I’ve learned after 25 years on stages from the White House to corporate boardrooms:

✔️ Most speakers deliver a talk. Great speakers deliver transformation.
✔️ Information doesn’t equal application. Your audience wants action, not applause.
✔️ Boring doesn’t bring change. The most powerful events create real culture—and real connection.
✔️ If the audience forgets what the speaker said before the meeting is over, you wasted your money.

What does a bad keynote speaker really cost you?

You won’t see it on the event invoice. But it’s there:

• Missed momentum. Your event ends on a flat note instead of a powerful call to action.
  
• Lower retention. Attendees don’t wanna come back for more “meh.”
  
• Lost credibility. People remember how they felt and flat speakers leave them cold.
  
• Leadership disengagement. You planned to light a fire. You got a flicker.

So, how do you fix it?

The answer isn’t letting “Bob from Marketing” speak or hiring your kid’s soccer coach.

You need a professional speaker who moves the crowd and moves the mission.

Here are four things to look for in a speaker who actually delivers:

1. Substance Over Sizzle
A good story is fine. But a story with strategy? That’s what shifts thinking. Look for someone who brings lived experience and helps you solve your problem.

2. Organizational Intelligence
Your room isn’t generic. Your speaker shouldn’t be either. They should know your organization’s language, goals and industry complexity with content that connect to the work you do.

3. Audience Activation
Can they challenge without offending? Can they inspire without sugarcoating? Can they deliver a standing ovation and a strategy session’s worth of actionable insight?

4. Post-Event Impact
What happens after the applause? If they aren’t quoting the speaker on Monday, it wasn’t worth it on Friday.

Final Thought: Your keynote speaker is either your greatest asset or your biggest liability

Emily’s event wasn’t ruined by bad food or faulty tech. It was the keynote that missed the moment.

That’s where your leadership comes in.

The stage you give someone is a signal to your entire organization.

The question is:
Will you book another voice that fades into the background…
Or the one that shifts the culture in the room?

Free Resource: Speaker Selection Scorecard
Do you want to make sure your next keynote moves the needle?

Download the Speaker Selection Scorecard—a free tool to:

• Evaluate speaker effectiveness (beyond the bio)
  
• Spot red flags in presentation materials and proposals
  
• Ensure alignment with your leadership goals
  

🎤 Download Now – Speaker Scorecard

Let’s Talk About It

If you’re ready to stop selecting “boring” and start choosing speakers who transform, let’s talk.

✔️ Want a speaker aligned with your audience’s needs?
✔️ Do you need a keynote that elevates with your leadership culture and values?
✔️ Ready to book a speaker who brings energy, insights, and impact?

Let’s work together on your next event.

Visit AntonGunn.com to book your next keynote today.