Inviting a Speaker

The Kellogg Corporate Engagement (CE) team offers resources and best practices for speaker and sponsor engagement. We provide industry connection and strategic support to elevate the Kellogg brand.

The conference speaker co-chair works closely with a member of Kellogg’s Corporate Engagement team on their speaker solicitation plan and strategy. The speaker co-chair is responsible for leading the speaker process from speaker identification to day-of event execution. The Corporate Engagement team provides resources and support for all stages of the speaker process including assistance in candidate identification and vetting, content review, on-campus/virtual hosting support, post-event thank you’s, and stewardship across all university channels for the executive.

Kellogg student conferences provide an opportunity for student leaders to work with and engage esteemed executives through the speaker invitation and preparation process to deliver captivating content, enhancing the conference experience. Once speakers are confirmed, the speaker co-chair role serves as the main point of contact for the speaker, ensuring that the speaker needs are met throughout the process.

Best Practices:

1. Sourcing a Speaker:
   • Conduct initial research to identify prioritized speakers.
     • Keynotes & Senior Alumni will be approved by your Corporate Engagement contact.
     • Review companies and/or Kellogg alumni that are of interest to you for your event.
     • Use LinkedIn to identify Kellogg alumni with specific job titles or who are employed at your target companies.
     • Look through Crain's Chicago Business to find local business leaders.
   • Utilize your networks.
2. Plan in Advance:
   • Invite keynotes as far in advance as possible. Other speakers should be contacted 2-3 months in advance, especially for in-person events where travel may be required.
   • Corporate Engagement can help strategize outreach including leveraging senior leader support, providing contact information, content considerations, and enhancing invitation with other on campus engagements.
3. Communicate:
   • Use Corporate Engagement’s resources and templates to effectively invite, track, and collect required information with and from the speaker.
   • In advance, a preliminary briefing should be prepared which includes pertinent information including the subject matter, content to cover, event flow, etc.
   • One month in advance, schedule & host a prep call with speaker to review content, format, logistics, visit schedule, travel, or any other special needs.
   • Review host checklist and prepare any day-of materials 5-7 days in advance. This includes:
     • For in-person events: Retrieve parking pass & speaker gift (Office of Student Life), submit/confirm catering order, print check-in documents, prepare post-event survey.

Additional information including templates, timelines, and trackers will be shared with co-chairs upon conference approval.

Corporate Engagement Contact Information: corporateengagement@kellogg.northwestern.edu