Keynote Speaker Explained

What is a keynote speaker, anyway? In public speaking, the keynote is the speech that sets the theme for the rest of the convention or meeting. It often addresses greater truths and broader concepts than the sessions to follow. Those sessions give convention-goers more nuts-and-bolts practical training.

The phrase “key note” is from the music world. Singing groups often sang a key note they would then use for the following song.

Long Tradition

Keynote speeches have a long tradition in the United States. Many people can remember keynote speeches from the party conventions over the years. One of the most dramatic was Barack Obama’s keynote at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. He not only set the tone for the convention, he demonstrated his speaking ability and charisma to a broad national audience. Four years later, he was elected President of the United States.

In the speech, he explained the meaning behind his name Barack, saying it means “blessed”:

I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents’ dreams live on in my two precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.

Wide Variety

High-profile keynote speakers are often used as a drawing card to encourage attendance by company employees or association members. These celebrity and near-celebrity speakers are ofter represented by professional speakers bureaus who receive a commission on each speech.

There is a wide variety of keynote speakers. Some are serious, others humorous. Whatever angle a keynote speaker takes, usually there is a motivational or inspirational element, often expressed near the end of the speech. The goal is to provide convention-goers with a burst of energy and enthusiasm to start the convention with a bang.