Quick question:
When you picture the keynote speaker at a major conference or corporate event, who do you see on stage?
If your mind immediately conjured up an older white male in a suit, you’re not alone. According to research by event software company Bizzabo (2023 Gender Diversity Report) 67% of professional speakers at events were male in 2022.
State of European Tech 2022 report, 84% of tech conference speakers in Europe were men.
But here’s the thing – this glaring lack of speaker diversity at conferences doesn’t just feel wrong. It IS wrong. And it’s bad for business too.
As a black- and woman-owned speaker bureau, we at IconEleven Speakers believe passionately that who you put on stage matters. The perspectives and voices you elevate have the power to shift mindsets, shape industries, and transform lives. Speaker diversity isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a must-have for any conference or event that wants to stay relevant and impactful in today’s world.
So buckle up as we dive into the what, why and how of prioritizing diversity in your conference speaker lineups. By the end of this article, you’ll understand:
- The business case for speaker diversity
- How diverse speakers enhance the attendee experience
- Tips for finding and booking incredible speakers from underrepresented groups
- The role you can play in changing the conference status quo for good
Ready to take your conference speaker game to the next level? Let’s go!
The Business Case for Prioritizing Speaker Diversity
First, let’s talk cold hard facts. Increasing diversity in your conference speakers isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do for your bottom line. Here’s why:
1. Diverse speakers attract diverse attendees.
Think about the last concert or comedy show you attended. Chances are, the audience makeup reflected the performer pretty closely. The same holds true for conferences.
If your speaker lineup is full of people who look, think and talk the same, you’re leaving money on the table.
On the flip side, inclusive speaker rosters act like a magnet for fresh audience segments..
2. Diversity drives innovation.
The business world has long recognized the link between diversity and innovation.
According to BCG’s 2018 study “How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation”, companies with above-average diversity on their management teams reported innovation revenue 19 percentage points higher than companies with below-average leadership diversity.
This diversity-innovation connection holds true for conferences too. When you bring together speakers with different backgrounds, experiences and points of view, magic happens. Groupthink falls away. Assumptions get challenged. Creative sparks fly. Your attendees leave buzzing with new ideas and approaches to bring back to their companies.
And in a fast-changing business landscape, that injection of outside-the-box thinking is priceless. Homogenous perspectives will only get you so far. The conferences that will thrive in the future are the ones that harness diversity to generate groundbreaking insights.
3. Representation shapes perception.
Imagine a young black girl attends a tech conference and sees a powerful keynote delivered by a software engineer who looks like her. A lightbulb goes on in her head: “I can do that too.” She leaves inspired to pursue her STEM dreams.
Now imagine a Latino startup founder enters a sea of white faces at an entrepreneurship summit. He feels like an outsider, wondering if he really belongs in this world. He leaves deflated, ready to quit his business.
The speakers we put on stage send a strong signal about who is welcome, valued and able to succeed in an industry. For members of marginalized groups, seeing “someone like me” in the spotlight can be life-changing. It opens up a world of possibilities.
On a macro level, consistently promoting diverse conference speakers starts to erode systemic barriers and biases. Little by little, it redraws the mental image of what a thought leader or expert looks like. Conference by conference, it moves us toward a more equitable, empowering business culture.
How Diverse Voices Enhance the Attendee Experience
Convinced by the business case for diversity but wondering about the benefits for your attendees? Here are some of the ways diverse speakers make for better, more valuable conference experiences:
1. Broader range of insights
Imagine going to a potluck where everyone brings the exact same dish. You’d leave feeling pretty unsatisfied, right? The joy is in sampling an array of flavors that expand your palate.
Same goes for conferences. We’ve all sat through that 90-minute session that felt like a broken record of the same tepid takes we’ve heard a million times. Yawn.
When you introduce speakers from different walks of life – different ages, abilities, ethnicities, industries, geographies – you guarantee your audience will encounter fresh ideas. They’ll hear first-hand stories and on-the-ground experiences that challenge their assumptions. They’ll grapple with concepts through new cultural lenses.
This kaleidoscope of perspectives sticks with attendees long after the conference ends. It shifts their thinking and spurs them to explore issues in a more multidimensional way going forward. It equips them with a diversity of approaches to apply to their own challenges.
2. Enhanced relatability
As powerful as a message may be, it tends to resonate more deeply when it’s delivered by a messenger you connect with. You lean in and listen closer. The takeaways feel more immediately relevant and actionable.
Homogenous speaker lineups, by nature, limit the number of attendees who get that spark of relatability. But by showcasing leaders and innovators from all walks of life, you maximize the chances that each attendee will see themselves reflected on stage.
When a startup founder hears a success story from someone who shares her socioeconomic background, the roadmap feels more achievable. When a black sales professional picks up negotiation tips from a speaker who also climbed the corporate ladder as a racial minority, the advice hits home harder.
Diversity dissolves the distance between the person on stage and the person in the seat. It transforms abstract lessons into “I’ve walked in those shoes” empowerment. That’s when true lightbulb moments happen.
3. Greater engagement
Ever noticed how one new voice can liven up a stale conversation? Suddenly people are leaning forward, energized to contribute. New debates emerge. Wheels start turning.
The same phenomenon plays out at conferences. A curated chorus of diverse expert voices ignites audience engagement in a way that a homogenous panel simply can’t. Attendees are motivated to ask questions, share experiences, and pressure-test ideas. They feel there are new frontiers to explore together.
This engagement links back to better learning outcomes too. Research shows that students create more robust knowledge structures when they interact with a broader range of people and viewpoints. Active participation literally makes lessons stick better.
The ripple effects of this engagement also last beyond the conference itself. Attendees build tighter community bonds and gain a network of diverse experts to tap in the future. They emerge as stronger collaborators, primed to tackle problems with a more inclusive lens. That’s a win for your event AND their day-to-day work.
Walking the Talk: Tips for Booking Diverse Speakers
Alright, you’re well-versed in the why of prioritizing speaker diversity. But how do you actually go about building an inclusive lineup? Here are some proven strategies:
1. Make it a stated priority from the start.
Bake diversity into your event’s DNA from day one. Put it in writing in your conference mission or objectives. Share it with your team, your sponsors, and your community. Make it non-negotiable.
Then put that commitment front and center in your calls for speakers and outreach. On your event website, code of conduct, and marketing materials, explicitly encourage people from underrepresented groups to submit proposals. Back that encouragement up with an open, accessible proposal system and support for first-time speakers.
2. Seek out diverse voices.
It’s not enough to sit back and hope marginalized experts will come knocking on your door. Go out and find them! Some ideas:
- Ask past speakers and industry partners for recommendations, specifically requesting diverse suggestions.
- Connect with organizations and professional associations focused on underrepresented groups within your field.
- Follow the hashtags and social conversations around D&I in your industry. Elevate new voices and invite them to submit.
- Search databases and directories created to highlight speakers from diverse backgrounds.
- When you spot a rising star or unsung expert doing great work, reach out and build a relationship. Let them know their voice is valued.
3. Partner with a diversity-focused speaker bureau.
Speaker bureaus like IconEleven Speakers Bureau do the heavy lifting for you. We have carefully curated rosters of industry-leading speakers from a range of backgrounds, ethnicities, and perspectives. Not only do we make it easy to find the perfect diverse voice for your stage, but we handle all the details, from contracts to logistics, to create a seamless experience.
4. Build balanced panels.
If you have multi-speaker panels or sessions, make sure each one passes the diversity test. Aim for an equitable mix of genders, races, ages, and abilities amongst your panelists. Avoid tokenism by ensuring speakers have equal chances to contribute.
Remember, diversity comes in many forms, not just what you see on the surface. Seek out cognitive diversity too. Bring together speakers with different thinking styles, skill sets, and approaches to a topic.
5. Create an inclusive event experience.
Speaker diversity doesn’t happen in isolation. It has to be part of a holistic commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Think through every touchpoint – from your speaker welcome packets to your venue setup to your social events. How can you design for the broadest possible range of needs, abilities, and identities? Some ideas:
- Offer a variety of session formats – lectures, small group discussions, hands-on workshops – to engage different learning styles.
- Use inclusive language in your event copy, website, signs, etc. Provide translations and multi-language support.
- Accommodate dietary restrictions. Have prayer spaces. Provide gender-neutral bathrooms.
- Choose a physically accessible venue. Have seating options. Provide CART services.
- Include quieter networking options for introverts – guided discussions, 1:1 meeting bookings, etc.
The more all your attendees feel seen, included and equipped to engage, the better your event will be. Period.
Be the Change
So what role will YOU play in transforming the conferences in your industry? How will you use your platform, your network, your influence to elevate voices that too often go unheard?
It starts with believing – viscerally – that diversity isn’t just a “nice-to-have,” but essential to the success of your events and the progress of your field. That putting diverse icons on stage isn’t just about being nice, but about revolutionizing your industry for the better.
It starts with weaving that conviction into how you plan each and every event. Challenging the status quo. Finding speakers a little outside your usual go-tos. Measuring your impact not just by ticket sales, but by diversity stats.
We get it – change is hard. It requires intention. Investment. Accountability. You might get some pushback.
But the payoff – for your attendees, your stakeholders, and the world – is so worth it. Because here’s the thing: representation matters. Visibility matters. The voices we celebrate and follow matter. You have the power to decide who speaks. And to decide whose voices get handed the mic to lead us all into the future.
Here’s the best part:
you’re not in this alone. At IconEleven Speakers Bureau, championing diverse conference speakers is our north star. It’s not a “nice-to-do.” It’s WHO we are.
So whether you need an electrifying black woman keynoter, a Latino tech visionary, or a full roster of multicultural voices to elevate your next event – we’ve got you. Our incredible speakers bring the stories, expertise and perspectives to inspire your audience to lead at their next level.
Ready to unlock the superpowers that diversity brings to your conference stage?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I ensure my call for speakers reaches a diverse audience?
To attract a diverse pool of speaker applications, consider the following:
- Explicitly state your commitment to diversity and encourage underrepresented groups to apply
- Share the call through channels and organizations that cater to diverse communities
- Provide examples of the types of diverse perspectives you’re seeking
- Use inclusive language and avoid industry jargon that may deter some candidates
- Offer support or mentorship for first-time speakers to remove barriers to participation
2. What should I do if my usual pool of speakers lacks diversity?
If your go-to speaker network is homogenous, it’s time to branch out:
- Solicit diverse speaker recommendations from partners, employees, and industry contacts
- Research experts from underrepresented groups who are making an impact in your field
- Connect with professional associations or resource groups focused on diversity
- Browse online directories that curate speakers from diverse backgrounds
- Attend events that showcase up-and-coming diverse voices and build relationships
Remember, expanding your network takes ongoing effort. Make it a regular practice, not just a one-time initiative.
3. How do I ensure diverse speakers feel welcomed and included at my event?
Creating an inclusive event experience goes beyond the stage. Some key considerations:
- Provide thorough speaker prep materials that set clear expectations and convey your support
- Ensure your event staff and vendors (including A/V techs, photographers, etc.) are diverse and inclusion-trained
- Use gender-neutral language and offer pronoun options in speaker forms/badges
- Accommodate diverse dietary needs and have a clear protocol for speaker requests
- Hire a diversity and inclusion consultant to audit your event experience and suggest enhancements
- Outline a detailed code of conduct and have a response plan for any instances of discrimination
4. How do I respond to attendees or stakeholders who oppose prioritizing diversity?
While the benefits may seem obvious to you, be prepared for some pushback. Address concerns head-on:
- Clarify that diversity is about expanding perspectives, not restricting them
- Point to the proven business benefits like increased innovation and a broader audience reach
- Share testimonials from attendees on how diverse speakers enhanced their experience
- Note that homogenous lineups are a systemic issue, not the natural order
- Emphasize that diversity is a keystone of your event brand and values — not up for debate
Stand firm in your position while inviting further dialogue. Some minds may change slowly, but stay the course.
5. How do I measure the impact of speaker diversity at my conference?
To gauge the effectiveness of your diversity and inclusion efforts, set clear goals and KPIs:
- Track diversity data in your call for speakers (e.g. demographics of applicant pool vs. selected speakers)
- Survey attendees on the impact of speaker diversity and capture specific anecdotes
- Analyze event metrics like audience engagement rates, social shares, or Net Promoter Scores by session
- Monitor press coverage and social chatter for mentions of your commitment to diversity
- Measure year-over-year trends in diversity stats and adjust strategies based on what moves the needle
Some results may be hard to quantify, but commit to regular analysis. Over time, a clearer picture will emerge.
Have more questions about building diverse conference programs?
Let’s discuss how Icon Eleven can support you.
Contact us here.
