Table of Contents
Introduction
Feeling stuck or your team’s creativity is drying up?
The right innovation speaker could change the game.
To help you out, we’ve selected 20 experts known for kick-starting creativity and driving change.
Dive into our guide to see how these speakers can turn your next event from mundane to memorable.
20 Keynote Speakers on Innovation to Watch in 2024
Launch your event planning with our recommended options. Ready to choose? Just click below to contact us.
1. Adam Cheyer
Adam Cheyer is a co-founder of Siri and a visionary in the field of artificial intelligence, driving innovation through voice-activated technology. Learn More
2. Jeremy Gutsche
Jeremy Gutsche is an award-winning innovation expert, a New York Times bestselling author, and the CEO of Trend Hunter, known for his expertise in spotting trends and generating growth. Learn More
3. Mike Walsh
Mike Walsh, a global consultant on building companies for the 21st century, offers insights into how businesses can navigate the digital future. Learn More
4. Daniel Burrus
Daniel Burrus is a leading futurist on global trends and innovation, known for his ability to predict technological changes and their direct impact on the business world. Learn More
5. Luke Williams
Luke Williams stands out as an advocate for disruptive thinking, teaching organizations how to thrive in an era of constant change. Learn More
6. Duncan Wardle
As the former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, Duncan Wardle leverages his extensive experience to help companies foster a culture of innovation. Learn More
7. Melissa Schilling
Melissa Schilling is an innovation strategist who delves into the science behind breakthrough innovations and the people who create them. Learn More
8. Erica Dhawan
Erica Dhawan is pioneering the concept of “Connectional Intelligence,” helping organizations to improve collaboration and foster innovative environments. Learn More
9. Polly LaBarre
Polly LaBarre inspires change by challenging traditional business practices and showcasing how radical management innovations can transform organizations. Learn More
10. Kate Ancketill
Kate Ancketill provides insights into the future of retail and customer experience, blending data and storytelling to forecast trends before they hit the mainstream. Learn More
11. Nancy Giordano
Nancy Giordano is a strategic futurist with a focus on societal and business transformation, guiding leaders through the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and culture. Learn More
12. Kaihan Krippendorff
Kaihan Krippendorff encourages out-of-the-box thinking to drive growth and innovation, utilizing his experience as a strategist to push boundaries. Learn More
13. Lisa Bodell
Lisa Bodell is a champion for simplicity in the workplace, advocating for the elimination of complexity to unleash innovation and efficiency. Learn More
14. Bill Taylor
Bill Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company, offers unique insights into leadership and innovation, challenging organizations to think differently and creatively. Learn More
15. Josh Linkner
Josh Linkner integrates the spirit of entrepreneurship into every aspect of business, emphasizing creativity and innovation to drive success. Learn More
16. Steve Wozniak
Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple Inc., is a legendary figure in computing and innovation, sharing his insights on technology, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Learn More
17. Gerd Leonhard
Gerd Leonhard is a futurist and humanist, exploring the ethical and societal implications of current and future technologies. Learn More
18. Nick Webb
Nick Webb, a world-renowned healthcare innovator and inventor, focuses on the future of healthcare innovation and how technology can create more connected patient experiences. Learn More
19. Jack Uldrich
Jack Uldrich, a global futurist, is known for his ability to forecast emerging trends and technologies, helping organizations prepare for an uncertain future. Learn More
20. Simon Anderson
Simon Anderson is a futurist who specializes in identifying the opportunities and challenges that future trends and technologies will present to businesses and society. Learn More
What You Should Look For When Hiring Keynote Speakers on Innovation
Based on our experience at Gotham Artists, we’ve identified key traits that make innovation keynote speakers effective, and we’ve compiled them below to help you pick the best speaker for your event.
1. Understanding of Current Innovations and Trends
For keynote speakers, keeping up with the latest innovations, technologies, and scientific findings is essential. Their deep dive into these areas allows them to provide audiences with a rich, updated view of the industry trends, connecting theory to real-world impact.
This knowledge serves multiple purposes:
- Enhancing Relevance: It helps speakers make their presentations more impactful by linking theoretical concepts to real-world applications, engaging audiences with relevant information.
- Forecasting Future Trends: Speakers can anticipate and discuss upcoming changes, preparing their audience for future opportunities and challenges.
- Encouraging Critical Thinking: By presenting new perspectives, they challenge conventional wisdom, promoting an environment where ideas are both shared and critically examined.
- Customizing Content: With a firm grasp of current trends, speakers can tailor their messages to suit varied audience interests, ensuring their talks deliver value to everyone.
2. Demonstrated Success in Innovation
Successful keynote speakers on innovation are those with firsthand experience in turning innovative ideas into real-world impacts.
Why It Matters:
- Credibility: Achievements in innovation lend speakers a level of authenticity. Audiences are more inclined to listen and learn from someone who has firsthand experience in making a significant impact through innovative efforts.
- Insight: With a background in bringing ideas to life, these speakers offer unique insights into the innovation process. They can share personal stories of challenges and victories, providing valuable lessons on overcoming obstacles and leveraging opportunities.
- Inspiration: Seeing someone who has successfully innovated inspires attendees. It turns abstract concepts into tangible outcomes, encouraging the audience to think big and act boldly in their endeavors.
3. Future-Focused Vision
The ability to envision and discuss future advancements is crucial. These speakers help audiences prepare for and adapt to upcoming changes, promoting a forward-looking mindset.
Let’s break down how they do it:
- Spotting What’s Next: The best speakers are always one step ahead, picking up on the latest things before everyone else does. They share insights on how these new trends might shake things up in different areas.
- Making Connections to Tomorrow: They’re really good at showing how what’s coming next is connected to our lives today. This helps everyone understand why it’s important to keep up and not fall behind.
- Pushing for Action Now: Aside from just talking about the future, they encourage everyone to start moving towards it now. They point out all the good stuff waiting for us and how being flexible and ready to change can help us grab those opportunities.
4. Skilled in Simplifying Complex Concepts
With the numerous events we’ve been in, what really makes the great innovation speakers stand out is their ability to take the big, brainy ideas about innovation and make them something everyone can grab onto and get excited about. They can break down the tough stuff into bite-sized, easy-to-digest pieces. This means no matter who’s listening, they’re going to get it.
For instance, explaining a sophisticated technology like blockchain can be daunting. However, a skilled speaker might liken it to a digital ledger, similar to a traditional accounting book, to illustrate its functionality in a more relatable way.
To further illustrate this skill, consider the following table that contrasts complex innovation concepts with their simplified explanations:
| Complex Concept | Simplified Explanation |
| Machine Learning | Teaching computers to learn from data like humans learn from experience. |
| Internet of Things (IoT) | Connecting everyday objects to the internet so they can send and receive data. |
| Augmented Reality (AR) | Overlaying digital information onto the real world, like in video games. |
| Blockchain Technology | A secure, shared digital ledger that records transactions. |
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Computers performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, like recognizing speech. |
5. Exceptional Communication Skills
To make a real impact, keynote speakers on innovation must master the art of communication. Here’s what sets them apart from other speakers:
- Engaging Storytelling: They use stories to breathe life into abstract concepts, connecting innovation to real-world situations. This storytelling not only helps clarify their points but also makes the message more memorable.
- Hitting the Emotional Chord: Beyond mere words, the best speakers have a knack for evoking emotions. Through their tone, pace, and body language, they connect on a deeper level, making the message resonate more profoundly.
- Listening and Adapting: These speakers excel in creating a dynamic interaction with their audience. By tuning into the audience’s reactions and adjusting their delivery accordingly, they make their presentations more personal and interactive.
If you want to see how a great speaker with exceptional communication skills can simplify a topic, here’s a keynote speech on innovation delivered by Jeremy Gutsche at the Future Festival:
Simplify Hiring Keynote Speakers on Innovation for Your Next Event
Now, it’s your turn to spark that flame of innovation at your next event. With Gotham Artists, you can find innovation keynote speakers who can inspire you, your team, and your audience to think bigger, push boundaries, and turn innovative ideas into reality.
Ready to inspire and be inspired? Contact us today to hire a keynote speaker on innovation for your next gathering. Let’s make your event not just memorable, but truly transformative.
FAQs
Can an innovation speaker customize their speech for my specific audience?
Absolutely! Experienced keynote speakers on innovation often work closely with event organizers to tailor their presentations to the specific interests and needs of the audience.
What kind of preparation should I do before hiring a speaker?
Before hiring an innovation speaker, it’s important to clearly define your event’s objectives and understand the audience’s background and interests. Consider the key messages you want the speaker to convey and how these fit into the broader theme of your event. Research potential speakers to assess their expertise, speaking style, and previous engagement feedback. Preparing a brief that includes your event goals, audience demographics, and desired outcomes can also help ensure you and the speaker are aligned from the start.
