Here are 7 Tips on How to Thank a Guest Speaker After an Event

Expressing gratitude to a guest speaker is crucial because it shows them you value their expertise and hard work. When you genuinely appreciate them, it strengthens the bond between the speaker and event organizers. This creates a positive atmosphere and makes an impression that may motivate further collaboration. Plus, it boosts the speaker’s motivation, ensuring a positive experience, and encourages them to share valuable insights enthusiastically. Ultimately, it benefits both the speaker and everyone at the Event.

7 Tips for How to Thank a Guest Speaker

In this blog, you will explore seven practical tips on effectively expressing gratitude to a guest speaker for their valuable contribution to your event.

Tip 1: Acknowledge the Guest Speaker in Person:

Acknowledging a guest speaker directly adds a personal touch to your professional relationship. It lets the speaker know they’re genuinely valued for their efforts. Going beyond a generic “thank you” and expressing specific aspects of their presentation that resonated with you creates a real connection. This direct interaction promotes a positive atmosphere and shows genuine appreciation.

Your business relationship gains a personal touch when you immediately acknowledge a guest speaker. Image Courtesy: Freepik.

Furthermore, personally acknowledging the speaker emphasizes their importance and impact on the Event. This kind of recognition can leave a lasting impression, making the speaker more likely to remember the positive experience and be open to future collaborations. Developing personal ties is essential to gaining professional rapport and trust, which can result in fruitful collaborations. Such a gesture expresses gratitude and plays a vital role in developing meaningful and mutually beneficial professional connections.

Acknowledgment Sample

Please find a sample of how to acknowledge your guest speaker in person below:

Thank you for your outstanding presentation at our recent event. Your expertise and insights on [Topic] captivated our audience and left a lasting impression on me.

I particularly appreciated how you [mention a specific aspect, such as providing real-world examples, engaging the audience with interactive sessions, etc.]. Your passion for the subject was evident, which elevated the overall experience for everyone in attendance.

Your contribution played a crucial role in making our event a success, and I am grateful for the time and effort you dedicated to sharing your knowledge. The positive feedback from attendees continues to pour in, highlighting the impact of your valuable insights.

Once again, thank you for being an integral part of our event. I look forward to working together again in the future.

Note: You can add your event name at the place of ‘event’ and other highlights as required.

Tip 2: Send a Thank you Email.

A prompt ‘Thank You Email’ shows professionalism and organizational etiquette. It reflects positively on you as event organizers, demonstrating your commitment to recognizing and valuing the guest speaker’s time and expertise. Feel free to include specific details about what aspects of their presentation were particularly impactful, highlighting the speaker’s unique contribution. The ‘Thank You Email’ is not just a formality; it’s a strategic move in building a relationship.

Sending out a “Thank You Email” right after the event depicts gratitude towards the guest speaker’s time and knowledge. Image Courtesy: Freepik

Email Samples:

Dear Guest Speaker,
I hope this email finds you well. I am sincerely grateful for your exceptional contribution to the event. Your expertise and insights greatly enriched the experience for our attendees, and we are truly thankful for your valuable contribution.
Your captivating presentation demonstrated your deep knowledge of the subject and resonated strongly with our audience. The engaging manner in which you conveyed key concepts left a lasting impression, and we’ve received numerous positive comments from participants expressing their appreciation for your insights.
We understand the time and effort it takes to prepare and deliver such an impactful presentation, and we want you to know that your dedication did not go unnoticed. Your contribution was pivotal in making the event a success.
Once again, thank you for sharing your expertise and significantly impacting our event. We look forward to the possibility of working together again in the future. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to support your future endeavors.
Best regards,
Georgia,
Event Organizer,
ABC Company.

Email Sample 2:

Dear Guest Speaker,
I hope this email finds you well. My sincere thanks for your exceptional presentation at the event. Your insights and expertise made a significant impact, and we’re grateful for your valuable contribution.
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and making our event a success.
Best regards,
Andrew,
Event Planner
Event Planning Company

Email Sample 3:

Subject: Heartfelt Thanks for Your Contribution to ……. [Event Name]
Dear, ……. [Guest Speaker’s Name],
I trust this Email finds you well. On behalf of …….. [Your Organization Name], thank you for your outstanding contribution to ……. [Event Name]. We gladly appreciate your invaluable assistance, which was crucial in making the Event a success thanks to your knowledge and insights.
We are grateful that you shared your expertise and enthusiastically engaged our audience. Your presentation left a lasting impression, and we’ve received positive feedback from attendees who found your insights informative and inspiring.
Once again, thank you for your time, effort, and expertise. We look forward to collaborating with you again in the future. If there’s anything we can assist you with or if you have any feedback on the Event, please feel free to share.
Best regards,
……..[Your Name]
……..[Your Position]
……..[Your Organization]

Note: The sender’s name and company name are dummies. You can alter the name, organization, and event name as per your situation.

Giving a shoutout about a guest speaker on social media can extend their message beyond the event’s audience. Your shoutout increases the speaker’s visibility and expertise to a broader community.

Your shoutout gives the speaker more exposure and credibility to a larger audience. Image Courtesy: Freepik.

Additionally, social media shoutouts build a positive online presence for both you and the speaker. Positive interactions and engagements create a ripple effect, drawing more attention to the event and fostering a community around shared interests.

Your shoutout on social media also provides valuable content for the speaker and event organizers to share. Whether it’s highlights from the presentation, memorable quotes, or event images, this content serves as promotional material for future collaborations or engagements.

In this example, Matt P, a consultant from London, has shared a post on LinkedIn about a list of guest speakers coming to the Culturevisit event. The Culturevisit event series is for the professional development of People and HR teams.

Tip 4: Prepare a Handwritten Thank You Note

In today’s digital age, where most communication happens electronically, receiving a handwritten note is a unique and genuine expression of gratitude. It creates a sense of connection and authenticity, letting the guest speaker know your heartfelt appreciation.

Likewise, a handwritten thank-you note allows you to express specific details about what aspects of the speaker’s presentation resonated with you. This personal touch reinforces the impact of their contribution and adds a meaningful layer to the note.

A handwritten note becomes a keepsake that the guest speaker may treasure. It serves as a physical reminder of their positive experience at your event, potentially strengthening the relationship and increasing the likelihood of future collaborations.

Sharing information about future events with a guest speaker is vital for maintaining a positive professional relationship. It signals your interest in continued collaboration; you show that you value their expertise and anticipate engaging them again. This early notification allows speakers to assess their availability and prepare well in advance. It also offers valuable networking opportunities, enabling speakers to connect with professionals in their field for potential collaborations.

A guest speaker’s professional relationship can be maintained by providing information about upcoming events. Image Courtesy: Freepik.

Keeping speakers informed about upcoming events demonstrates transparent communication and contributes to positive relationship building, fostering an environment where speakers feel valued and appreciated. After all, why would someone notify you about a future event if they hadn’t liked your speech the first time? Ultimately, this proactive approach ensures a mutually beneficial and successful partnership between event organizers and speakers.

Dear Guest Speaker,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to convey our appreciation for your outstanding contribution as a guest speaker during the last Event. Your insights truly resonated with our audience, and we received fantastic feedback.
We are enthusiastic about collaborating with you again for upcoming events. Your expertise aligns perfectly with the planned themes, and your presence could greatly enrich the experiences for our audience.
We would love to discuss the possibility of your involvement in upcoming events. Your unique insights and engaging delivery style have a lasting impact, and we’re confident that our audience would greatly benefit from your presence.
Once again, thank you for making the last Event a success. We look forward to the potential of working together again and creating more memorable experiences for our audience.
Best regards,
[Sender Name]
[Sender Title]
[Organization]
[Contact Information]

Another sample of how to thank a guest speaker, along with informing about the upcoming event.

Subject: Exploring Future Collaborations: Upcoming ………..Events Invitation
Dear ………..[Guest Speaker],
I hope this message finds you well. Again, I am grateful for your incredible contribution as a guest speaker at our recent ………..[Event Name]. Your insights added immense value and were well-received by our audience.
We are excited about upcoming events that align perfectly with your expertise. Your unique perspectives have the potential to make a significant impact, and we would be honored to have you join us again. Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming up:

[Event ………..]

Date: ………..
Theme: ………..

[Event ………..]

Date: ………..
Theme: ………..

Your insights would be invaluable to our audience, and we are open to tailoring the themes and topics to suit your expertise and interests.
If any of these events align with your schedule and you’re interested in participating, we would love to discuss further details. Your contribution is pivotal in creating memorable and impactful experiences for our audience.
Once again, thank you for your dedication to [Event Name], and we look forward to working together again soon.
Best regards,
………..[Your Full Name]
………..[Your Title]
………..[Your Organization]
………..[Contact Information]

Tip 6: Collect Guest Speaker Feedback

Collecting feedback gives you valuable insights from the guest speaker’s perspective about his overall event experience. It helps in understanding what worked well and areas needing improvement. The insights from guest speaker feedback are vital in shaping future event planning.

Feedback is crucial as it provides valuable insights for improvement, fosters growth, and ensures ongoing success. Image Courtesy: Freepik.

Additionally, the feedback you collect from attendees helps gauge overall audience satisfaction. Positive feedback reinforces successful speakers and event organization choices, while constructive criticism provides actionable insights for making necessary adjustments and improvements.

Collecting feedback fosters open communication between an event organizer and the speaker. It establishes a collaborative relationship where you can address any concerns or suggestions for improvement, leading to a more positive and productive partnership with speakers.

Sample of MCQ Questionnaire/ Feedback Form for Guest Speaker:

Please note that questionnaires should be clear and easily solvable.

How would you rate the overall organization and logistics of the event?

a. Excellent

b. Good

c. Average

d. Below Average

2. Did the event meet your expectations in terms of audience engagement?

a. Completely

b. Mostly

c. Somewhat

d. Not at all

3. How satisfied are you with the communication and support provided by the event organizers?

a. Very satisfied

b. Satisfied

c. Neutral

d. Dissatisfied

4. How well did the event theme align with the topic of your presentation?

a. Perfectly

b. Well,

c. Moderately

d. Poorly

5. Did the audience ask relevant and engaging questions during the Q&A session?

a. Yes, consistently

b. Yes, but not consistently

c. No, not really

d. No, not at all

6. How would you rate the technical setup and audio-visual support during your presentation?

a. Excellent

b. Good

c. Fair

d. Poor

7. Did you receive sufficient information and guidance from the event organizers before the event?

a. Yes, more than enough

b. Yes, just enough

c. Actually, more

d. No, very little information

8. How likely are you to suggest participating in future events organized by the same team?

a. Very likely

b. Likely

c. Neutral

d. Unlikely

9. Did you feel adequately prepared and supported by the event organizers leading up to your presentation?

a. Completely

b. Mostly

c. Somewhat

d. Not at all

10. How would you rate the level of audience interaction and participation during your session?

a. Very high

b. High

c. Moderate

d. Low

11. Regarding time management, did the event adhere to the scheduled agenda for your presentation?

a. Yes, perfectly

b. Yes, but with minor deviations

c. No significant deviations

d. No, the schedule was not followed at all

12. How would you rate your experience as a guest speaker at this event?

a. Excellent

b. Good

c. Average

d. Below Average

Note: Feel free to adapt and customize these questions based on the specific goals and aspects you want to explore with the guest speaker. You can also have one section in the feedback form to add any more comments or feedback.

Tip 7: Follow-Up:

A follow-up email or message to a guest speaker shows them you appreciate what they did for the event. It shows that you want to keep the connection ongoing. It will keep the door open for future collaboration.

Sending a guest speaker a thank-you email or message after the event lets them know how much you value their contribution. Image Courtesy: Freepik.

You’re also giving them a nudge to stay involved with your organization. They may want to join in on more events or share their expertise. It’s a win-win situation! You can share positive highlights from the event. It reminds them of their impact and gives them something extraordinary to share in their professional circles. You can ask them to share their testimonial. This helps both of you—it’s like a mini-recommendation that can be used for future events or promotions.

Finally, sending a follow-up is just good manners. It’s a friendly and professional way to end the conversation and leaves a positive impression.

Dear Guest Speaker,
I trust this Email finds you well. On behalf of our Organization, I extend our sincerest gratitude for your incredible contribution as a guest speaker at the Event.
Your expertise and insights added immense value to the Event, and we received numerous positive responses from the attendees, highlighting the impact of your presentation. We truly appreciate the time and effort you dedicated to making our Event successful.
In addition to expressing our thanks, we would love to gather your feedback on the Event. We always look for ways to improve our events; your suggestions are helpful. Kindly provide any thoughts or recommendations you may have.
Moreover, your expertise aligns perfectly with our Organization’s goals, and we are keen on exploring potential future collaborations. If you have any interest or ideas for working together again, we would be delighted to discuss them further.
As a token of our appreciation, we have attached a summary of the event highlights, showcasing your presentation’s positive impact on the audience. Please share this with your network if you find it suitable.
Once again, thank you for your exceptional contribution to [Event Name]. We look forward to working together again and wish you continued success.
Best regards,
Anne,
Event Manager,
PlanYourEvent Company.

Follow-up Email Sample 2:

Subject: Gratitude for Your Exceptional Contribution to ……….[Event Name]
Dear ………..[Guest Speaker’s Name],
I hope this Email finds you well. I am reaching out on behalf of the entire ……….[Your Organization/Event Team] to express our heartfelt appreciation for your remarkable contribution as a guest speaker at the recent ………..[Event Name] held on ……….[Event Date].
Your wealth of expertise and insightful perspectives truly enhanced the Event, creating a lasting impact on our audience. The positive feedback we’ve received underscores the tremendous value your presentation added, playing a pivotal role in the program’s overall success.
We acknowledge your dedication and effort in preparing and delivering such an insightful talk. Your commitment to excellence was evident and was noticed by our team and the attendees.
In addition to conveying our gratitude, We look forward to your opinions about the Event. We value your views much and will use them to improve the level of excellence of our upcoming events. We would greatly appreciate your input if you have any insights, suggestions, or reflections.
We are interested in collaborating with you again in the future. Your expertise aligns seamlessly with our Organization’s goals, and we see exciting opportunities for potential collaborations.
To provide you with a glimpse of the Event’s success, we have attached a summary of highlights showcasing the positive impact of your presentation. Please share this with your network if you find it fitting.
Thank you again for being an integral part of ………..[Event Name]. Your involvement made a big difference in making the experience compelling and unforgettable for everyone.
We eagerly anticipate the prospect of working together again in the future. If there are any upcoming events or projects where your expertise could shine, we would love to explore those opportunities with you.
I hope all of your pursuits continue to be fruitful.
Best regards,
………..[Your Full Name]
………..[Your Title]
………..[Your Organization]
………..[Contact Information]

Also, include pictures where the guest speaker is seen delivering a speech or interacting with the audience or other industry experts. Kindly find the social media message or caption below:

🌟 Many thanks to our outstanding guest speaker for lighting up our Event with wisdom and inspiration! Your insights resonated with everyone present. Looking forward to more collaborations! 🎤 #EventSuccess #GuestSpeaker #Inspiration

You can create dedicated hashtags for your Event, which can be used in such types of captions for social media. Use emojis to make them more colorful and exciting, but remember to use them sparingly as they may lose professionalism.

Key Takeaway:

Just as knowing how to invite a guest speaker for your event is crucial, acknowledging their efforts at the end of it is equally important. Expressing gratitude to a guest speaker after your event isn’t merely a polite gesture – it’s a strategic and meaningful practice that cultivates positive relationships and opens doors to future collaborations. This article recognizes that gratitude should be prompt, personalized, and encompass various dimensions. You can incorporate these tips and diverse approaches to appreciate and forge robust, enduring connections with your guest speakers. It establishes a foundation for ongoing and mutually beneficial partnerships.