Speaker Presentation & Session Formats

Speakers Bureau of Canada offers a range of presentation formats to meet the needs of conferences, internal trainings, webinars, and professional development events. Whether you are planning a keynote, workshop, breakout session, or panel discussion, our speakers tailor content and the session duration within each format to align with your agenda, audience, and learning objectives. Session types include keynote presentations, moderated Q&As, panel contributions, fireside chats, half-day and full-day training, virtual sessions, and multi-day programs. Each format is designed to deliver high-impact content, audience engagement, and measurable outcomes across in-person, virtual, and hybrid event settings.

Customization

Presentations must align with the confirmed event theme, audience composition, and organizational objectives. Customization ensures the session reflects the event goals, tone, and intended outcomes. Speakers must adapt content to the event context, incorporating audience expectations, industry focus, and client direction to maintain relevance and practical value.

Organizational Challenges

Speakers must address key challenges and goals identified during pre-event meetings and in briefing materials. Content must present practical strategies, lessons, or insights connected to the organization’s current priorities. Each presentation should help participants evaluate challenges and identify applicable solutions within their workplace.

Researched Content

Presentation content must be grounded in current data, credible sources, and professional experience. Speakers are required to research the organization, its sector, and the broader issues influencing the audience. Researched content enhances credibility, ensures factual accuracy, and reflects relevant trends and evidence-based perspectives.

Desired Learning Outcomes

Each presentation must address the learning outcomes confirmed by the client and speaker in content creative meetings. Content must provide clarity, applicable tools, and takeaways aligned with audience needs and event objectives. Learning outcomes determine session focus, structure, and the actions participants can apply following the presentation.

Latest Trends

Speakers must remain informed on current developments and evolving practices in their field. Incorporating relevant trends demonstrates awareness of industry direction and supports participant learning. References to new research, technology, or market shifts must be accurate and connected to the event’s learning outcomes.

Event Theme

All presentations must clearly reflect the event theme established for the event. Key messages, visuals, and examples must align with event language, tone, and objectives. Speakers must confirm consistency between their presentation and the event narrative.

Audience Alignment

Presentations must be structured for the audience’s professional level, experience, and expectations. Speakers must consider audience size, demographics, and subject familiarity. Tone, pace, and content depth must ensure clarity, accessibility, and engagement for all participants.

Integration and Delivery

Each presentation must integrate customization, research, and audience alignment into a coherent session. Content must be accurate, relevant, and action-oriented to reinforce the learning outcomes and event objectives. Delivery must demonstrate expertise, clarity, and engagement to create measurable audience impact.

Single Session Formats

Keynote Presentations

• Average session duration: 60–75 minutes (keynote plus Q&A)
• Speaking time: 40–60 minutes
• Q&A: 5–15 minutes at end of session
• Speaking time outside 20–75 minutes generally not recommended (flexibility varies by speaker)
• Customization: Content tailored to session topic themes, duration, audience, industry, organization goals, session goals and desired learning outcomes
• Audience engagement: Interaction through tools such as video, storytelling, stage effects, music, humor, and direct audience participation

Virtual Sessions

• Average session duration: 45–60 minutes with optional Q&A included
• Average speaking time: 40 minutes
• Q&A duration: 5–15 minutes at end of session
• Customization: Content tailored to session topic themes, duration, audience, industry, organization goals, session goals and desired learning outcomes
• Audience engagement: Interaction for questions, 50% presentation 50% fireside chat, visual images, preloaded questions, and audience chat questions

Workshop Presentations

• Average session duration: 60–120 minutes
• Average speaking time: Depends on workbooks, group activities, number of attendees, delivery style, and room setup
• Q&A duration: Questions integrated throughout with additional time reserved at the end
• Customization: Content and activities session topic themes, duration, audience, industry, organization goals, session goals and desired learning outcomes
• Audience engagement: Participation through group activities, workbooks, role play, breakout discussions, and applied learning

Fireside Chat Presentations (Moderated Q&A)

• Average session duration: 60–75 minutes
• Moderator questions: 10–15 curated questions
• Speaker responses: 5–10 minutes each
• Q&A duration: 10–15 minutes at end of session
• Customization: Pre-selected questions to address session topic themes, duration, audience, industry, organization goals, session goals and desired learning outcomes
• Audience engagement: Dialogue and storytelling through exchange between speaker and moderator

Panel Discussions (Panelist)

• Average session duration: 60–90 minutes
• Average speaking time: 10–20 minutes per speaker through
• Topic theme speaking time: 5-10 minutes per segment
• Q&A duration: 10–15 minutes at end of session
• Customization: Speakers align insights with panel themes, respond to moderator direction, build on others’ contributions, and adapt to audience and event goals
• Audience engagement: Dialogue with moderator, live polling, and contributions based on panelists, moderator, and topics

Moderator

• Average session duration: 60–90 minutes
• Average speaking time: 1–2 minutes per question per segment
• Topic theme speaking time: 1–2 minutes to introduce themes and direct questions to panelists
• Q&A duration: 10–15 minutes managed at end of session
• Customization: Speaker Aligns discussion with event themes, manages timing, integrates questions, ensures balance, and oversees panel flow and interaction
• Audience engagement: Facilitates dialogue, builds on discussion with improvised questions, manages polling, and guides panelist–audience interaction

Half Day or Multiple Session Formats

Keynote + Breakout Session

• Average Session Duration: Keynote (40–60 minutes) | Breakout (60–90 minutes) (100 -150 minutes total).
• Optional Session Duration: Keynote (20-60 minutes) | Breakout (40-120 minutes).
• Customization: Speakers tailor both sessions to align with the agenda, topic themes, audience, organizational goals and desired learning outcomes.
• Q&A duration: Keynotes may include limited or no Q&A, while breakout sessions include audience questions throughout and 10–15 minutes at the end for interaction.
• Audience Engagement: Keynotes provide core insights and introduce learning outcomes while breakout sessions enable smaller group interaction, applied learning, and discussion.
• Cost: Calculated as a half-day rate, typically one tier above the keynote fee, with additional sessions billed at the keynote rate plus a small increment or 50% for new topics.
• Discounted Rates: Some speakers may offer additional sessions at no cost or reduced rates for nonprofits, recurring clients, consecutive sessions, aligned causes or video footage.

Keynote + Moderated Q&A

• Average Session Duration: Keynote (30–60 minutes) | Moderated Q&A (30–60 minutes) (60 -120 minutes total)
• Optional Session Duration: Keynote (20–60 minutes) | Moderated Q&A (20–60 minutes)
• Customization: Speakers tailor both sessions to align with the agenda, topic themes, audience, organizational goals, and desired learning outcomes
• Audience Q&A Duration: Keynote sessions include limited or no Q&A depending on the agenda and topic. Audience questions are typically reserved for the moderated session to support session flow and encourage deeper audience interaction
• Audience Engagement: Keynotes provide high-level insights, storytelling, and topic framing. The moderated Q&A allows for dynamic conversation using pre-planned or live audience questions. This format supports deeper dialogue while keeping the session structured and focused
• Cost: Typically calculated as a half day rate which are a tier higher than the keynote fee. If the topic themes are the same for each appearance, additional sessions are calculated as the keynote speaker rate plus a small increment for the additional session. Some speakers may include it at no cost. In most cases, higher keynote fees generally correspond to higher rates for additional sessions. If the topics are not the same, speakers may request 50% of their keynote rate for the added research.
• Discounted Rates: Some speakers may offer the additional session at no extra charge, particularly for nonprofit organizations, recurring clients, or when scheduling and preparation time are minimal. Discounted rates may also apply when sessions are delivered consecutively, part of a bundled program, or when the event supports a cause the speaker personally values.

Keynote + Panel Discussion

• Average Session Duration: Keynote (30–60 minutes) | Panel Discussion (30–60 minutes) (60-120 minutes total)
• Optional Session Duration: Keynote (20–60 minutes) | Panel Discussion (20–60 minutes)
• Customization: Speakers tailor the keynote to introduce the event theme and support the panel objectives. Panel contributions are aligned with audience goals, discussion topics, and event purpose
• Audience Q&A Duration: Q&A is typically limited during the keynote. Panel sessions often include 10–15 minutes of audience Q&A at the end, with questions moderated live or submitted in advance to maintain flow
• Audience Engagement: The keynote delivers foundational insights and storytelling that lead into the panel discussion. Panel sessions encourage broader perspectives, contrasting views, and practical takeaways through moderated dialogue and audience interaction
• Cost: Typically calculated as a half day rate which are a tier higher than the keynote fee. If the topic themes are the same for each appearance, additional sessions are calculated as the keynote speaker rate plus a small increment for the additional session. Some speakers may include it at no cost. In most cases, higher keynote fees generally correspond to higher rates for additional sessions. If the topics are not the same, speakers may request 50% of their keynote rate for the added research.
• Discounted Rates: Some speakers may offer the additional session at no extra charge, particularly for nonprofit organizations, recurring clients, or when scheduling and preparation time are minimal. Discounted rates may also apply when sessions are delivered consecutively, part of a bundled program, or when the event supports a cause the speaker personally values.

Half Day Training

• Average Session Duration: 3–4 hours total
• Average Speaking Time: 120–180 minutes
• Audience Q&A Duration: Integrated throughout with time allocated for discussion, clarification, and debrief
• Speaking Time Recommendation: Halfway 10-15 minute break provided for speaker and attendees
• Customization: Fully customized to the learning objectives, audience skill level, and organizational priorities with collaborative planning in advance
• Audience Engagement: High-level interaction including hands-on exercises, scenarios, facilitated discussions, and application-based learning
• Cost: Calculated as a half day rate. In most cases, higher keynote fees generally correspond to higher rates for half day sessions.
• Discounted Rates: Some speakers may offer discounted rates for nonprofit organizations, recurring clients, or when scheduling and preparation time are minimal.

Full Day or Multiple Day Bookings

Event Host/Emcee

• Average Session Duration: 1 -4 days. Varies based on event schedule; typically spans multiple segments or the full event program
• Average Speaking Time: Intermittent throughout the agenda to introduce speakers, manage transitions, provide commentary, and maintain energy
• Speaking Time Recommendation: Host involvement should be consistent and professional, keeping everything on track, with contributions paced to align with the event flow and transitions
• Customization: Fully aligned with the event’s agenda, tone, audience profile, and program goals. Hosts work with organizers in advance to prepare remarks, transitions, and speaker introductions
• Audience Engagement: Focused on maintaining momentum, energizing the audience, and ensuring clarity between sessions or speakers. May include light commentary or humor depending on event type
• Cost: Typically calculated as a half-day or full-day rate based on event duration and complexity. Rates vary depending on the speaker’s profile and involvement, with higher fees for extended or multi-day programs
• Discounted Rates: Some speakers may offer reduced host rates for nonprofits, recurring clients, internal programs, or when paired with a keynote or additional session. Rates may also be adjusted for minimal prep requirements or familiar audiences or if they are booked for multiple days

Full Day Training

• Average Session Duration: 6–8 hours total
• Average Speaking Time: 300–360 minutes delivered in modules throughout the day
• Audience Q&A Duration: Integrated throughout with time reserved at the end of each segment or module
• Speaking Time Recommendation: Two scheduled breaks and a lunch break are recommended to maintain attention and participation
• Customization: Fully customized to the organization’s training objectives, session goals, audience profile, and internal initiatives, with pre-session collaboration required
• Audience Engagement: Intensive interaction through applied learning, breakout groups, case studies, and active participant feedback throughout the day
• Cost: Calculated as a full-day rate, typically one tier above half-day sessions. Higher keynote fees correspond to higher full-day rates depending on speaker scope and preparation
• Discounted Rates: May be available for nonprofit or internal programs, repeat clients, or when sessions are delivered virtually or in a bundled training series

Multiple Day Training

• Average Session Duration: 2–5 consecutive or scheduled training days based on organizational needs
• Average Speaking Time: 4–6 hours per day with varied structure depending on training depth and delivery format
• Audience Q&A Duration: Built into each day’s session design through structured discussion, feedback loops, and group review
• Speaking Time Recommendation: Regular breaks and learning intervals are integrated to manage cognitive load and sustain engagement over multiple days
• Customization: High-level customization across all days, aligning with multi-phase training outcomes, learning benchmarks, and department-specific priorities
• Audience Engagement: Deep-dive content supported by progressive exercises, collaborative projects, facilitated dialogue, and daily takeaways to reinforce application
• Cost: Priced per day, typically based on a full-day rate with additional planning and development fees depending on scope and length of engagement
• Discounted Rates: Available for long-term ongoing training, nonprofit contracts, internal capacity-building programs, or multi-session delivery over several months or days.