We recently hosted a breakfast event titled “Leadership in Uncertain Times” and the two keynote speakers – Baroness Manningham Buller and Margaret Heffernan – asked themselves are these times really uncertain? More so than times before? Both concluded no, not really, we all just have short political memories.
That said, as Donald Trump fills the headlines almost every day with his shake up of the White House and America’s dramatic move away from politics as usual, the experts have so much to talk about. As they unpick his policies and personality, audiences want to cut through the headlines and hear a well-formulated synopsis. The uncertainty found across the media, academia and business makes it all the more relevant for a keynote speaker today. Featuring politics at conference by a keynote speaker has always been common, but no one can talk politics at the moment and not mention him. So here are my top 5 keynote speakers on Donald Trump. (The videos included are not about Trump, but they should give you some idea of the speakers’ style and charisma).
You’ll get an up to the minute briefing on Trump’s latest policies and who is talking about them when Andrew is your keynote speaker. While we hear so much negativity about Trump, Andrew offers the possible benefits too, particularly the opportunities that may present themselves to Britain should they play their cards right. As America turns inwards and Brexit forces Britain to look out, the British Government has plenty to think about and Andrew can walk an audience through their options.
The blue collar workers that voted for Trump did so because they were furious about the slow recovery from the recession and the impact this has had on their job prospect. They feel poorer and Trump told them he could hear their concerns. He has offered the first major infrastructure investment since before the Obama administration. If he can get this underway, how will this affect the labour market in America in real terms and therefore the electorate? Keynote speaker David Blanchflower can guide an audience through the more detailed elements of America’s domestic policies.
What would he do if he were still Foreign Secretary? Is the special relationship really in trouble? What will be the impact of a State visit by Trump to Teresa May’s approval ratings? The questions an audience member will want to ask William are endless if he’s your keynote speaker.
As Washington correspondent, Justin has interviewed both Bush and Obama and has also interviewed Trump too before he ran for President. He can offer an insight into their personalities as your keynote speaker. And with the current Washington based journalists coming under fire from the Trump administration as part of their opposition to the media, he can tell an audience what this means on the ground for reporting.
As the first US Government official to use Twitter, keynote speaker Colleen Graffy has a unique insight into communication in American politics and how much it has changed. With Trump so distrustful of journalists, he is turning to Twitter to announce policies and groans alike. As businesses grapple with the pitfalls of social media too, she can highlight to audiences what they can learn from Trump’s social media strategy.
Finally, if ever you get the chance to book Ellis Watson as your keynote speaker, do ask him to tell you his story about meeting Donald Trump – it’s a good one!