19 World Class Judges
9 Categories to showcase your skills
The Exclusive Opportunity to Elevate Your Speaking Business
Watch the replay of the 2026 Shortlist announcement here
"The Speaker Awards were created to recognise excellence and spotlight the incredible impact speakers are making in the world."
Early Bird Tickets End On The 26th May 2026
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.
Early Bird Tickets End On The 26th May 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
The Dinner Schedule
6:00 PM - Reception & Welcome Drinks:
Begin the evening with a warm welcome at our reception. Mingle with fellow attendees, enjoy a complimentary welcome drink, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
7:00 PM - Opening Ceremony:
The main event kicks off with an opening ceremony that sets the tone for the evening. Expect moving speeches, enthralling performances, and the unveiling of the Speaker Awards 2025 theme.
7:30 PM - Dinner & Live Entertainment:
Savour a gourmet dinner while being entertained by live performances. This is also the perfect time to network and connect with fellow attendees and influencers in the speaking industry.
9:30 PM - Awards Presentation:
The moment everyone has been waiting for. Witness as we recognise and honour the outstanding talent in public speaking, culminating with the prestigious Speaker of the Year award.
11:00 PM - Closing Remarks & After Party:
We wrap up the formal part of the evening and transition into the after-party. Celebrate the night away, make lasting connections, and dance to alcohol away.
The Dinner Tickets
Secure Your Seat for an Unforgettable Night of Inspiration
Please note that tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Secure your seat today and join us for an unforgettable celebration of the power of professional speaking at the Speaker Awards 2024.
Shortlist Special
The Shortlist Special gives you access to the full Speaker Awards experience.
Only available until the 26th May 2026.
£350
£225
Most Popular
Shortlist Special
Double Deal
The best ticket price!
The Shortlist Special - Double Deal, gives you access to the full Speaker Awards experience at a reduced price.
Because we all love a good deal :)
Only available until the 26th May 2026.
£700
£400
Get a Table
Make it a team event or invite guests for a unique evening out. Reserve a full table and save on the Standard Ticket price.
£2,470
£1,720
Location & Contact
This event is going to take place at the Leonardo Royal London St UK. For any query you may call or email us at the below mentioned contacts.
Leonardo Royal London St Paul’s10 Godliman St, London EC4V 5AJ, United Kingdom
Email:
[email protected]
Tel.
02088956419
Got Questions? We've Got Answers!
The dress code for the Speaker Awards Dinner is Black Tie. We encourage all guests to dress to impress for this prestigious evening.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team at [email protected].
SPEAKER AWARDS WINNERS 2025
Early Bird Tickets End On The 26th May 2026
