Speaking of Empowerment

We've all heard of an after dinner speaker and what they do at various events, including charity events, educational and sporting events, but what about keynote speakers? Without being aware of it though, most people have heard keynote speakers at one time or another. This is simply because unlike an after dinner speaker, we aren't all so familiar with the notion of keynote speakers.

Keynote speakers are the speakers who deliver speeches at various events, which are normally important, large or grand. The events might be political, industrial, commercial or academic. The purpose of the speech is to set out the general tone of the event as a whole. Therefore, keynote speakers will most likely set out the main points or messages of the event in a summary.

Depending on whether they are introducing or summing up the event, keynote speakers may perform at the beginning or the end. If they are introducing it then they will be employed to raise interest amongst the audience so that they are really geared up for the conference, exhibition or event. On the other hand, if they are employed to speak at the end of the event, they will focus more on summing up key messages so that the audience leaves with a very clear understanding of what the event has been about.

Keynote speakers have generally been trained in public speaking and know how to make engaging and coherent speeches. Oftentimes they are also famous, renowned or well respected in their field. They are never hired only for speaking ability, but for the authority and the expertise with which they can comment on a subject area. As a result, keynote speakers are generally educated, successful and in some cases business minded.

Keynote speakers are sometimes hired to reward attendees. Many students are rewarded with a speech by someone they look up to or respect at their graduation ceremony. Also, many keynote speakers are hired with the simple aim of increasing interest in and attendance at an event.

The force of celebrities is undeniable. They sell magazines, papers and they lead us all to switch on and tune in daily. They control the clothing people wear, the shampoo consumers use as well as the foods we consume, or do not. Precisely what, then, is the point of the celebrity speaker within our already celebrity obsessed culture? Surely the many more subtle endorsements, or rather the more conventional ones, such as TV advertising campaigns and the like, are a reasonable intrusion into and influence on us without the famed becoming celebrity speaker at anything from political rallies, to store openings to charitable dinners?

The celebrity speaker is more and more prevalent and potent. Whether it be of their own accord or as a result of a big hire payment, it’s more popular than ever to see some kind of celebrity or other at events. Notable cases of stars turning speaker are that of Bob Geldoff and the army of celebrity crusaders with a conscience, using their popularity and influence to boost awareness of the predicament of the starving.

More recently than that, celebrity speakers seem to have been observed participating in more of a political function. There’s Jamie Oliver and his one-man war on unhealthy foods and even more recently there was the situation of Arlene Phillips engaging in governmental politics as the dance tsar.

No matter whether we like it or not, then, the celebrity speaker is more established today than ever before. No more do famous people merely have an effect on fashion and beauty; today’s celebrity speaker has a strong message. What use for the celebrity speaker? The young look up to celebrities and even the more adult people among us have to confess to being a bit fascinated with what they have to talk about. Their fame is appealing and they are role models, no matter whether we like it or not. So if the celebrity speaker can push forward a charity’s cause, send a clear message to improve the country’s wellness or perhaps stir up a little involvement in politics, then certainly they have got a purpose. And not just a role: a responsibility, to make use of their influence responsibly.

Attending a university graduation ceremony is a proud moment for the grandaunts and their parents who have supported their child for the past three, four or five years as they completed their chosen degree. Working towards a degree will bring you the chance to have a successful career, brighter job prospects and a life changing time away from home. The ceremony should celebrate the achievements of the attendees, and well chosen keynote speakers are one of the best ways that this can be done.

Whilst I fully support those people who decide not to go to university, choosing a keynote speaker who has not experienced a university life is sheer foolishness on the part of graduation organisers. Going straight into a job after leaving school is a life completely different than if you choose to go to university for three or four years, and keynote speakers will not be able to relate with their audience if they have not gone through the same experiences.

University life makes you more independent. You are faced with situation where you might be forced to live with people you do not get along with, you have to make new sets of friends and you have to be financially organised to be able to budget your loan or get a part time job to help with living costs. All of these things can only be learnt whilst at university.

When you decide to go into a proper job straight after leaving school, most people still live with their parents for a few months, even years and they have their washing done for them and meals cooked, you have a stable wage which university students do not have and if you do move out you choose the people you are living with. And contrary to most people’s beliefs, those who do go to university mostly pay for the experience themselves by getting a part time job. Working through the holidays and paying of their loan once they have left.

So when it comes to the time when graduation organisers are planning the day, the keynote speakers should be checked to see if they have been to university. If they have not been they will not be able to give a speech that targets their audience.