Should Your Event Include a Workshop After the Keynote?
One of the most common questions my team and I get from event organizers and meeting planners is, ‘Should we offer a workshop in addition to the keynote?’ My answer is always a resounding yes! While a keynote speech delivers inspiration and big-picture insights, workshops provide the hands-on experience needed to turn those ideas into action. If you want your event to create real impact—not just in the moment, but long after it’s over—combining a keynote with a workshop is the way to go. Here’s why.
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When planning a conference, corporate retreat, or industry event, keynote speeches are often the highlight of the agenda. A great keynote sets the tone, energizes the audience, and delivers powerful insights in a compelling and inspiring way. But while a keynote can ignite new ideas and spark motivation, it often leaves attendees wanting more. More depth, more application, and more interaction.
That’s where workshops come in. By offering workshops in addition to a keynote, event organizers can create a richer, more engaging experience that leads to lasting change. Workshops are the perfect complement to keynotes and how they can take your event to the next level.
From Inspiration to Implementation
A keynote speech is designed to inspire and deliver high-level insights in a short amount of time. It’s a powerful way to introduce new concepts, challenge thinking, and energize an audience. However, because keynotes are typically delivered to a large crowd, there’s limited opportunity for interaction, personalization, or deep discussion.
Workshops, on the other hand, allow participants to take those big ideas and break them down into actionable strategies. Through guided exercises, group discussions, and real-world applications, attendees can explore how to implement these insights in their own work and lives. This deeper dive ensures that the inspiration from the keynote doesn’t fade once the event is over—it transforms into real, meaningful action.
Engaging and Interactive Learning
One of the biggest advantages of workshops is the level of engagement they provide. Unlike a keynote, where the audience primarily listens, workshops are designed for interaction. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and apply concepts in real time. This hands-on approach not only reinforces learning but also makes it more relevant and memorable.
Workshops can also be customized to meet the unique needs of an organization or industry. Whether it’s leadership development, team collaboration, communication skills, or change management, workshops offer the flexibility to dive deep into specific challenges and opportunities. This tailored approach ensures that attendees walk away with insights and strategies they can immediately put into practice.
Maximizing Value for Attendees and Organizers
By offering both a keynote and a workshop, event organizers provide a well-rounded experience that delivers both inspiration and implementation. Attendees leave not only feeling motivated but also equipped with the tools they need to create real change. This combination increases the overall impact of an event, making it more valuable and memorable.
For organizations, this also means a greater return on investment. When employees or team members attend an event, the goal is often to spark growth, enhance skills, and drive positive change. A keynote alone can start that process, but a workshop ensures that it continues beyond the event.
Create a Transformative Experience
If you want to take your event beyond inspiration and create lasting impact, consider adding a workshop to your agenda. A keynote sets the stage, but a workshop ensures the lessons stick. Together, they create a transformative experience that goes beyond a great speech—it leads to real results.
Learn more about my leadership keynotes and workshop offerings.
Let’s talk about how we can design a keynote and workshop experience that delivers both inspiration and action for your audience.
