Key-note speakers

Speakers at a conference who are invited to attract participation to publicize and give significance to its programme. They are well known, preferably experienced and qualified in the subject or theme of the conference and are generally expected to be sympathetic towards the aims of the conference; though these latter qualifications are not always considered necessary.[Advantages]

Publicity and weight for the conference. Entertainment and inspiration -a form of blessing from people of high esteem. What they have to say is generally listened to and heard and reported -it is worth discussing this with them in advance. They can have the charisma to generate high levels of enthusiasm.

[Disadvantages]

Such people may be encouraged to take up much programme time, even though there is little to say that is not already available (e.g. in their books or in reports of previous meetings). It may be quite impossible to prevent them from abusively exceeding the speaking time allotted to them. Little attention is given to what people can do once they have been stimulated to an appropriate level of enthusiasm. Little attention is given to the lack of integration (if not conflict) between those providing such inspiration. Any overemphasis on inspiration necessarily presupposes that participants are not already adequately inspired or motivated and thus alienates those who hope to use the occasion to move collectively on to the next step.