The Talk of 2022

In the U.S and beyond, I’ve been to a bunch of business conferences and exhibitions. I enjoyed the adventures, the opportunities to learn of and report on new technologies and business developments, and often, more than anything, listening to and interviewing inspiring speakers.

Over the last two years, given COVID-19 and pandemic mitigation measures, we in the business community have not been on planes and trains, or in autos to attend events. But with reports coming out of the once-massive but prudently produced Consumer Electronics Show this month—and pictures of properly social distanced conference attendees, at least during Las Vegas daylight hours—I pondered: what’s hot and what’s not, in keynote talks for 2022? With speakers and their bureaus still commanding top dollars, what topics will business conference attendees lend their ears–and wallets or expense budgets–to in the virtual, face-to-face and hybrid haunts this year?

Front of Mind

One trend is clear: mental health, mental resilience and mindset are top-of-mind. Where once mental health, emotions, well-being, anxiety, depression. and more were contained in the HR domain—well, maybe we’ve witnessed and enjoyed a so-called “motivational speaker” or two over the years—the business world, employers, associations, industries now see the need and opportunity to acknowledge reality: the workforce hurts.

Let’s talk about it, already—yet honestly. Let’s help each other—one-to-one, many to many.

Also on the keynote speaker docket: the future of work. Technology companies have long had this topic in the wheelhouse, with great speakers, often futurists who predicted how gadgets and gizmos and networks and all-knowing robots would change the course of business. And they did.

No Return

Yet, current and future work changed, and will continue to evolve, if not radically shift, because of both new technologies and the experiences and opportunities brought on by the virus. Entire businesses and empowered individuals will never return to the “before times” (cliché, I know).

Even as I’ve read a LOT about it, I might actually enjoy hearing more about the future of work. How about you?

A third topic in demand, or at least in speakers’ bureau pitches, is diversity, equity, and inclusion. I hope this is not just a trend, but a serious and sensitive conversation that enacts change, among individuals, organizations, policies, and societies. The keynote with not just a call-to-action, but a checklist for change, and the motivation—and metrics–for a movement that makes a difference for us all? I’m in!

Compelling Keynotes

Whatever the topic, trend, well-told-tale, or tuned up audience, a compelling keynote depends on communications, content, and connections—all embodied in a great communicator. Surprised? Surely not!

This year I will attend my fair share of virtual, hybrid, and–fingers-crossed–in-person events. I look forward to listening to, learning from, and experiencing the #CommunicationsContentConnections–the who, how, what, where, when, and why. And if so inspired, I might be prompted to consider what do, or can, the inspired speakers’ words mean—to me, to the future of work, for DEI, and change for the better in our world?

#CommunicationsContentConnections
#Communications