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You have until the 30th of April to enter The Speaker Awards 2026
London, July 03rd
"The Speaker Awards were created to recognise excellence and spotlight the incredible impact speakers are making in the world."
19 World Class Judges
9 Categories to showcase your skills
The Exclusive Opportunity to Elevate Your Speaking Business
What are The Speaker Awards?
The Speaker Awards celebrate the world’s most outstanding speakers, those who captivate, inspire, and leave a lasting impact, whether on stage or online.
These awards are a standing ovation for the professionals who dedicate themselves to sharing knowledge, telling powerful stories, and transforming audiences through their words.
But this is more than just an awards ceremony.
It’s a platform to elevate your professional profile, gain industry recognition, and open new doors in the world of professional speaking.
It's also a chance to connect with fellow speakers, share experiences, and grow together in a community that values excellence.
Who are The Speaker Awards for?
The Speaker Awards celebrate professional speakers who set the standard for excellence, those who truly inspire and engage their audiences.
If you are a keynote speaker, industry expert, thought leader, or storyteller who delivers powerful messages, talks and creates real impact, these awards are for you.
Whether you own the virtual stage, captivate live audiences, or shape industries with your insights, the Speaker Awards recognise those professional speakers who are the route to mastering the art of speaking and inspire others to do the same.
If you are a professional and want to gain further industry recognition, and take your speaking to new heights, enter The Speaker Awards.
Why Enter?
Visibility
The Speaker Awards will give you incredible exposure to our database and following of more than 100,000 people so you will expand your reach and get known faster. When you win or are shortlisted make sure you maximise PR exposure and update your marketing materials with the award logo including business cards, website, literature, email and sales material.
Credibility
An award win, short-listing or nomination can act as a 3rd party endorsement for your business. A win can give you as a speaker the approval from your peers and people in the industry, it will show you that your activities are valued and is a sign of quality for potential bookers, events, conferences and for your customers. It can be part of your sales pitch and help you stand out from the other people in your space. It can also help relationships with people in your industry.
Opportunities
You will be able to leverage the Speaker Awards to get higher paying gigs. The Speaker Awards is not like any other fake awards. It is a testament of your skills, passion and dedication to your craft and the clients you serve with your talks. The awards will push your Speaking forwards. Increase morale, get you doors and exposure you have always wanted.
Kudos
Awards celebrate hard work and success and are great PR opportunities. It’s fantastic to be recognised so it’s important to make sure that people know what you as a speaker have achieved. Winning a speaker award can open doors to new contracts and those that might have been shut in the past.
Reflection
The process for entering a speaker award can often make you stop and look at your speaking from a different perspective, how far you have come and in a friendly way compare yourself to other speakers. You’ll need to make sure that you stand out from others. This will help you think about ways you could be doing things better, identify areas for improvement and is one of the ways your speaking and you could benefit. That could be more valuable than the prize itself.
Motivation
Awards recognise the hard work, the time invested and achievements you have gained as a speaker. Winning one can help boost your morale and improve motivation, it can help you find that extra motivation. It will shine a light and get you focused on what’s great about the work you do and you can feel proud to be a part of it.
You have until the 30th of April to enter The Speaker Awards 2026
The Award Categories
Best Motivational Speaker 2026
This award recognises a speaker whose work ignites belief and determination in their audience. Judges will assess the speaker’s ability to generate emotional momentum through authentic experience, personal conviction, and a message that inspires people to act with renewed courage and purpose.
The winning speaker creates a moment that lifts the room and reminds audiences what they are capable of.
Judges will particularly consider:
The emotional impact the speaker creates within the audience
The authenticity and relatability of the speaker’s personal message
Evidence that the talk motivates audiences towards meaningful action
Best Event Host 2026
Recognising the host who holds the room and elevates the entire event.
This category celebrates excellence in professional event hosting.
Through the submission judges will assess the host’s ability to create continuity across an event while maintaining energy, professionalism, and audience connection from beginning to end.
Judges will particularly consider:
The host’s ability to engage the audience
The ability to introduce a speaker
The ability to direct a room
Best TEDx Speaker 2026
Recognising an idea that changes how people see the world.
This category honours a TEDx talk released between January 2023 to April 2026, that presents a compelling idea capable of shifting perspective.
Judges will evaluate the originality of the thinking, the significance of the idea presented, and the speaker’s ability to articulate a concept that challenges assumptions and invites audiences to reconsider how they see the world.
Judges will particularly consider:
The originality and relevance of the central idea
The clarity and structure of the talk within the TEDx format
The lasting intellectual impact of the message
Best Speaker Showreel 2026
Recognising the showreel that makes a speaker impossible to ignore.
This award recognises the showreel that most effectively represents a speaker’s professional identity.
Judges will assess how well the showreel demonstrates the speaker’s stage presence, credibility, and distinctive positioning within the speaking marketplace, alongside the overall quality and storytelling flow of the production.
Judges will particularly consider:
How clearly the showreel communicates the speaker’s value and expertise
The quality of the editing, pacing, and visual presentation
Whether the showreel would confidently persuade a booker to enquire
Best Newcomer 2026
Recognising a new voice already making its mark.
This category recognises an emerging speaker who has entered the professional speaking arena within the past two years (2024 - 2026).
Judges will look for originality of voice, early signs of influence, and a speaker who brings a fresh perspective to audiences and the wider speaking profession.
Judges will particularly consider:
The uniqueness and authenticity of the speaker’s voice
The speaker’s ability to connect with audiences early in their career
Evidence of strong potential for growth within the speaking industry
Best Live Speaker 2026
Recognising mastery of the live stage.
This award celebrates excellence in live performance.
Judges will focus on the speaker’s ability to command a room, sustain audience attention, and deliver an experience that resonates powerfully with those present in the moment.
Judges will particularly consider:
The speaker’s ability to hold the attention of a live audience
Presence, energy, and natural command of the stage
Presence, energy, and natural command of the stage
Presence, energy, and natural command of the stage
Presence, energy, and natural command of the stage
Presence, energy, and natural command of the stage
The overall impact of the live speaking experience
Best AI & Future Technology Speaker 2026
Recognising a voice helping audiences navigate the future.
This category recognises a speaker helping audiences navigate the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Judges will assess the depth of the speaker’s insight, the relevance of their perspective, and their ability to illuminate how technological developments are shaping the future of industries, organisations, and society.
Judges will particularly consider:
The ability to translate complex concepts into meaningful insights
The relevance of the speaker’s ideas to future trends and innovation
Best Speaker Storyteller 2026
Recognising the power of story to move, connect, and transform.
This award recognises exceptional storytelling as a craft within professional speaking.
Judges will evaluate a five-minute story submission, focusing on narrative structure, the purpose of the story, emotional depth, and the speaker’s ability to transport audiences through a story that carries meaning beyond the moment it is told.
Judges will particularly consider:
The strength and structure of the narrative arc
The emotional connection created with the audience
The memorability and resonance of the story
Best Thought Leadership Speaker 2026
Recognising ideas that challenge thinking and shape the future.
This category recognises a speaker whose work introduces new thinking that advances their field.
Judges will consider the originality of the ideas presented, the intellectual depth behind them, and the speaker’s contribution to shaping new conversations within their industry or area of expertise.
Judges will particularly consider:
The originality and insight of the speaker’s ideas
The speaker’s authority and depth of expertise
The potential of the ideas to influence thinking within the field
Speaker Bookers Choice 2026
Recognising the speaker that event professionals most want to book.
Judged by leading speaker agents and bureau professionals, this award recognises the speaker most likely to succeed in the professional speaking marketplace.
Judges will assess the speaker’s professional positioning, perceived client value, and their overall appeal as a speaker capable of delivering consistent results for event organisers.
Judges will particularly consider:
The speaker’s market appeal and positioning
The likelihood of repeat bookings and demand
The overall professionalism of the speaker’s material and delivery
Speaker of the Year 2026
Recognising the most outstanding speaker of the year.
Speaker of the Year is selected from the winners and highly commended speakers across all categories.
Applicants will be considered based on the cumulative scores across their submissions and the strength of their work, recognising the individual whose contribution represents the highest overall standard of professional speaking in the year.
Judges will particularly consider:
Consistency of excellence across submissions
The overall impact of the speaker’s work
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognising a lifetime devoted to elevating the speaking profession.
The Lifetime Achievement Award honours an individual whose work has left a lasting imprint on the speaking profession.
It recognises a career defined by influence, leadership, and contribution to the development of others within the industry.
The following will be considered:
The individual’s long-term impact on the speaking profession
Their contribution to the development of other speakers
The legacy they leave within the industry
What You Will Be Judged On
- Structure: The talk is well structured and well communicated
- Engaging: The content was engaging and held your attention
- Message: The content is clear, concise and easy to follow
- Stage Presence: The speaker has stage presence, is credible and commands attention.
- Tonality: Excellent use of tonality, voice, variety and articulation.
- Body Language: Effective use of body language that adds to rather than distracts.
- Marketable: You can clearly see a market for the speaker and it's clear what they are known for.
- Client Ready: You have a client in mind for the speaker. You would book or promote the speaker today.
- Memorable: The speaker has a talk or stage presence you'll remember days after seeing them.
Production Quality: The video submitted has high quality sound, video and editing.
- The Idea Is Worth Spreading: The idea worth spreading is clear - The talk is well structured and the content is engaging.
You have until the 30th of April to enter The Speaker Awards 2026
Meet The Judges
FRED AFRIFA
CO-Founder of Believe in Greatness
Fred Afrifa is an international keynote speaker and co-founder of Believe in Greatness. A former national sprint champion and BBC Apprentice candidate, he now works with organisations across the UK helping leaders communicate with clarity, confidence and impact. As a Speaker Awards judge, Fred brings the perspective of a high-performance speaker who understands what truly connects with audiences on stage. This is his first year judging
DEENITA PATTNI
Professional Speaker & Trainer
Having spoken on stages worldwide alongside leaders like Carrie Green, Lewis Howes, UK Dragons Den and Social Media Moghul Steven Bartlett, Deenita understands exactly how the skill of speaking can elevate an individual’s Personal Brand and position them as the expert in their niche. She has also been a judge for five years running.
MICHELLE RAYMOND
Leadership strategist & International speaker
Michelle Raymond is a leadership strategist, HR futurist and international speaker with over 25 years advising organisations in complex, high-accountability environments. Founder of The People’s Partner LLC, she works with global organisations to strengthen leadership and talent strategy. As a Speaker Awards judge, Michelle brings a sharp eye for credibility, insight and real-world impact on the audiences speakers serve. This is her forth year judging.
CLAIRE YOUNG
Founder of "School Speakers"
Made famous by her role as the highly driven runner-up of series four of ‘The Apprentice’ She beat 40,000 candidates to reach the final and this experience inspired Claire to set up her own business ‘School Speakers’. It is now the UK’s No 1 speaking agency working with schools, colleges and universities to provide talks to students. This is her third year as a judge.
RIKKI ARUNDEL
Speaker & Judge
In 2024, Rikki received the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the Speakers Awards and was inducted into their Hall of Fame, recognition for a lifetime spent championing speakers.Rikki brings both a judge’s eye and a speaker’s heart to the conversation, having also judged Toastmasters contests and PSA Speaker Factor over many years while also winning major speech contests personally. This is their second year judging
DOMINIC ELDRED-EARL
Creative Speaker Consultant
Dominic started as a speaker consultant back in 2014. He has since risen the ranks working as a consultant at London Speaker Bureau since 2021. Dominic has enjoyed working with many speakers across all sectors, at all levels from grassroots to the legendary Will Smith. Dominic is also an Audiobook Narrator, Producer and Voiceover Artist. He has been judge for 2 years
DAVID STOLLMAN
Serial entrepreneur & Speaker
David Stollman is a serial entrepreneur and speaker industry leader, co-founding successful ventures including CAMPUSPEAK Agency and EVERGREEN Speakers. Over three decades he has spoken on more than 800 college and university stages, reaching over one million students across North America. Today he focuses on launching and developing speakers, bringing deep industry insight and a talent-spotting eye as a Speaker Awards judge. This is his first year judging
KAYE FREEMAN
Founder and Talent Agent at Andromeda Talent
Andromeda Talent was founded by Kaye Freeman in 2018 when she saw a gap in the Speakers and Personal Appearances market for a more bespoke, personal approach to sourcing, suggesting and booking Talent, one that grew out of her Talent Management background and offers a one-stop shop for organisations across the UK, Europe, Australia and North America. It's her third year as a judge.
HELEN CHORLEY
Speaker, Host, TV Personality and Investor
Speaker, Host, TV Personality and Investor. Helen has spoken at and hosted many events. Recognised for her regular appearances on many Sky TV shows including Property Elevator, Property Graduate and Venture Visionaries. She’s also a seasoned judge for many industry awards bringing her unique blend of stage and screen expertise to the Speaker Awards. This is her third year with us.
ANTHONY STEARS
Professional Speaker, Telephone Assassin
Anthony has been speaking for over a decade and is an active member of the PSA, Professional Speaking Association. He’s spoken all over the world in front of audiences of up to 4,000 people… some events with up to 11 different interpreters at the back of the room. This is his fourth year as a judge.
You have until the 30th of April to enter The Speaker Awards 2026
SPEAKER AWARDS WINNERS 2025
You have until the 30th of April to enter The Speaker Awards 2026