EMEA Conference: Programmes Keynote & Plenary Speakers

Keynote speakers and topics are aligned with the mission and strategic goals of the organization. Keynote topics should be strategic in nature and equally relevant to school (including MBA and specialty masters) and employer audiences. See additional definitions of keynote and plenary speakers in the Conference Policies. 

Keynote and plenary session speakers are coordinated as follows:

1. Committee members conduct research for possible speakers based on topics suggested from the membership, industry trends, and other factors. 
2. The ED will created a shared document for the committee members to list all keynote and plenary speakers being considered, including the name, organization, topic(s) they would potentially speak about, web site, and a sample video of them speaking. The ED and Board Liaison will review the list to ensure it will meet the needs of our diverse member base, reaching out to the EMEA Advisory Group and/or board members to fill any gaps.
3. Topics should be selected based on the following criteria:
   • Relevant to meeting the needs of CSEA's diverse membership, with a focus on the EMEA region
   • Keeping in mind all functional areas within the membership: employers, career center leaders, coaches, employer relations, specialty masters, working professonal MBA's, new and seasoned professionals
   • Special focus on the current landscape, while being broad enough to be applicable when the conference takes place. 
4. Once the list is approved, the committee then selects the speakers and reaches out to them to confirm the date, time, etc. Outreach is conducted one at a time to avoid committing to more than one speaker. Note that fees only apply to keynotes. Most plenary speakers (panelists) do not require a fee. 
5. Once the speaker is confirmed, discuss the organization’s needs and desired topic with the speaker. 
   • MBA/Masters career services professionals that work with business students to help them prepare for their job search and with employers to help them recruit on their campus. Attendees will represent all areas within the career services office, including directors/leaders, career coaches and employer relations professionals. School types range from small to large, public and private, and span multiple geographies.
   • Recruiters, talent acquisition professionals, university relations professionals and others at companies that hire MBA/Masters students for full-time and internship opportunities. This could also include hiring managers, or anyone involved in the graduate business student hiring
   • Our organization brings together these professionals for networking, learning and conversations that drive the future of the industry. Attendees are generally collaborative, friendly and eager to learn and discuss topics of interest.
   • For the EMEA event the focus is on that region, but attendees from other geographies usually attend.
6. The Executive Director will coordinate the contract and payment process with the speaker.
7. Obtain the speaker’s bio and picture (for keynotes only), job title and organization, and write the session description for marketing purposes. Sample descriptions from past events can be referenced if needed. Enter the information into the Conference Schedule in Smartsheet for use on the web site and in the printed program. Be sure all information is edited and final before entering it. This should be done as quickly as possible, as attendees typically need this information to justify their attendance at the event.
8. If working with a panel, schedule a phone call with the panelists in advance to discuss the specifics and questions that will be asked. If the committee member is not the session moderator, the moderator can do this as long as the committee members confirms that it takes place. A best practice is to develop draft questions and share them with the panelists. Shortly thereafter, schedule a group call for the panelists to get to know each other, build rapport, and discuss what will be shared. Final questions can then be disseminated after the call. Ideally, the call will take place at least two weeks in advance of the conference. Other items to discuss with the panelists:
   • Ask if they prefer to introduce themselves or have the moderator introduce them. If the moderator will be introducing them, request their bio/introduction. We recommend incorporating a fun element into the introductions, rather than simply reading a bio.
   • Discuss how many questions will be asked, and who will answer each question.
   • Develop some seed questions for committee members to ask if there is a lull during the question time period.
9. Obtain the speaker’s A/V needs and travel schedule, and provide it to the Executive Director. Generally, all A/V needs requested by keynote or plenary speakers can be honored, pending availability and cost (check with the ED regarding that). Note in the schedule if each session will have Q&A so that the appropriate microphones can be ordered.
10. Make sure the speaker registers for the conference. Keynote speakers and others who receive a complimentary pass will be registered administratively by the Executive Director. See the Conference Policies for specific information about speaker registration policies.
11. Work with the speaker on-site to make sure they arrive on time and that needs are met