Happy speakers + happy attendees = a victorious event.
Securing the right keynote speakers can improve attendance and boost the attendee experience at your next event. But landing speakers is just the first step — keeping them engaged and coming back for future events takes a little extra attention.
To promote loyalty and dedication beyond the standard stipends or speaking fees, you can show appreciation with meaningful speaker gifts.
Using Eventbrite, thousands of event creators have hosted successful events all over the world, and we’ve learned a lot about how to attract (and retain) speaking talent from our event organizers. In this guide, we’ll share some creative guest speaker gifts to treat your talent and show your appreciation.
Pick the perfect gifts for guest speakers
Professional speaker gifts for productivity
Experience-based speaker gifts
Tech and travel gear speaker gifts
Personalized guest speaker gifts
Should you give speakers and presenters gifts?
It’s not a requirement to give gifts to speakers, but providing small gifts to speakers and event special guests can offer various benefits:
- Thoughtful gifts show your appreciation
- Helps improve the speaker’s opinion of you and your event business
- Potentially leads to post-event shoutouts on social media by the speaker
- Helps you build your brand and expand your network
You don’t need to buy extravagant orators gifts — but try to select something useful or personal to them. There’s something for every speaker in this guide, no matter their interests.
How to choose guest speaker gifts
Before checking out our list of thoughtful gift ideas below, here are some general tips and tricks to help you choose the perfect gift:
- Put yourself in the speaker’s shoes: Think about who your speaker is (professionally and personally — what they do for a living, their interests, etc.) and choose a gift they’ll enjoy. A little peek at their social media profiles might help you uncover some of their interests and hobbies.
- Consider your budget: A speaker gift doesn’t need to cost a lot. It’s more important to choose a gift that’s personal than expensive. If you have a small budget, hand-make them a gift, such as printing out a picture of them speaking at your event and framing it.
- Skip the generic: Stand out by offering something you know they’ll like. This means asking them questions about their life to get some ideas. You should skip the gift baskets and Starbucks gift cards to prevent something generic!
You could also try to come up with a memorable gift that’s in line with your event theme. Ultimately, your speaker will appreciate a quality gift, whether it’s on a theme or not. With these guidelines in mind, let’s explore some of the best presenter gift options.
32 best guest speaker gifts to show your appreciation
To help you navigate, we’ve categorized this list by gift type. Got a large gift budget? Consider putting together a package of a few items from multiple categories.
Professional speaker gifts for productivity
Choose these productivity gifts for a professional and genuinely useful gesture. These also make great corporate gifts and conference speaker gi for your next corporate event.
1. Work and life planner
Paper planners are making a comeback as many people try to spend less time on their phones. A high-quality work and life planner makes an excellent gift. Opt for a relatively compact size for speakers to take with them on the go.
2. Professional development and productivity books
Books centered on productivity and professional development are always popular. Try Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal or Atomic Habits by James Clear. You can also opt for an industry-specific title.
3. Smart notebook
Paper or digital? Why not both? The Moleskine Smart is a notebook that functions like a computer. It lets you write and draw on what looks like a traditional notebook — all while sharing, syncing, and even emailing straight from the device.
4. Software tools and apps
Digital tools and software subscriptions make unique gifts. This could be a general productivity or project management tool, like Monday or Asana. Or it could be something specific to the event speaker’s line of work. If you have event sponsors, you may even be able to secure some freebies from them to add to speaker gifts.
5. Book gift cards
Books make fantastic gifts, but choosing the perfect title can be tricky. Skip the stress with a Bookshop.org gift card, where the speaker can choose a title that catches their eye and even support small independent bookstores with their purchase.
6. Professional development courses
Professional development training, courses, and seminars make great gifts for career-driven speakers. You can select a specific course or creator to buy from or opt for a more general gift, like a MasterClass gift certificate.
7. Timeless notebooks
Go old school with a high-quality notebook made with leather or suede, like this leather-bound journal from ROYCE — perfect for jotting down notes and brilliant witticisms for next time. Sometimes, simple is best!
Experience-based speaker gifts
Seven out of 10 people surveyed would rather splurge on an experience over material goods. Likewise, many people prefer receiving experience-based gifts over physical goods. Consider these unique speaker gifts in your search.
8. Meditation app subscription
Did you know that around 40% of Americans meditate at least once per week? Gifting a subscription to a meditation app can help your speakers learn how to meditate or improve their existing practice. Headspace and Calm, two popular meditation apps, sell gift cards for speakers to enhance their well-being.
9. Tickets to other conferences
Work with your connections (and even other speakers from your event) to source cheap tickets to similar conferences the speaker may wish to attend. Alternatively, browse Eventbrite for upcoming conferences, then gift your speaker a ticket.
10. Travel gift cards
Whether for work or pleasure, there’s a high chance your speaker does a fair bit of traveling. If not, they at least deserve a vacation to unwind. A simple yet highly appreciated gift could be a travel gift card. Something like an Airbnb gift card is applicable for millions of properties. For flights, look up the airport closest to your speaker’s home and see which airlines have the most availability out of that airport.
11. Concert or event tickets
Tickets to events, concerts, and festivals make a fantastic gift. It might be a bit tricky to know your speaker’s tastes, but you can strike up a conversation about their favorite music genre or events/festivals they’d like to attend.
12. Fun classes and courses
Fun educational events like cooking classes can make a great gift. You can treat them to an in-person, local event or opt for an online course.
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13. A charity donation
Making a charitable donation in the speaker’s name can be a wonderful gesture. Perhaps you know of a cause close to the speaker’s heart or relevant to the event’s subject matter. For instance, if you’re running a B2B event, you could donate to a scholarship fund or a business-minded charity like Kiva. This crowd-funding organization lends money to entrepreneurs in developing countries.
14. Experience gift vouchers
Give the gift of a memorable experience, and your speaker will be the first to volunteer to return next year. Events like tours and race car driving experiences can offer something unique, and most experience providers sell gift vouchers. Make sure to choose a category that you know interests the speaker.
Tech and travel gear speaker gifts
For a speaker who’s always on the move, these gear-focused options provide practical gift ideas for your special guests.
15. Wireless headphones
Bluetooth and wireless headphones come in various sizes to accommodate those on the go. When your speaker puts them on, they can get into their zone or use them for work purposes. If your budget allows, opt for a model with active noise canceling (ANC), like the Bose QuietComfort headphones.
16. Sunrise alarm clock
Sunrise alarm clocks use light instead of sound, so you can start your day more naturally. There are lots of great options on the market, but the NYT Wirecutter review found the best model is the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light.
17. Power bank
Power banks can be a lifesaver when your phone’s battery is on its last leg. These days, even small power banks pack a reasonable amount of backup power, so consider a lightweight model like the Nimble Champ that’s more likely to get used.
18. White noise/sleep device
Research shows that having white noise in the background can help adults fall asleep 38% faster. Many sleep sound devices offer everything from static white noise to babbling brook sounds. The LectroFan Evo has good reviews and 22 unique sound settings.
19. Sleep tracker
Sleep trackers like the Oura Ring monitor various metrics to track the quality and duration of your sleep. The Oura Ring is an ideal keynote speaker gift idea for those who want to enhance their well-being. You could also opt for a budget-friendly option, like a fitness smartwatch with sleep features.
20. Travel tumbler
A high-quality travel tumbler is a simple and affordable gift for speakers or any special guest. Because most people will already have one at home, opt for a unique artistic design or a personalized tumbler.
21. Packing cubes
Packing cubes can help keep luggage organized while traveling. They can even be packed ahead of time with an outfit or two so that you’re always ready to hit the road. Since many speakers travel frequently (sometimes last minute), packing cubes can help make their trips more efficient.
22. Professional backpack
A high-quality travel backpack can also make a great gift for anyone who travels frequently — including your guest speakers! Look for useful features like a laptop sleeve, RFID blocking, or a removable power bank. Or spring for something unique, like the Solgaard Venture with a built-in closet!
Food and drink speaker gifts
Everybody’s gotta eat, and your speaker deserves a tasty treat. These gifts can add a unique twist to classic food and drink presents.
23. Meal prep subscription
Delivery meal prep subscriptions are all the rage these days. There are two main options: ready-to-eat meals (like Factor or Fresh N Lean) or cook-at-home meals with preportioned ingredients (like Blue Apron or HelloFresh.) These food services sell gift cards, so your speaker can decide when they’ll use them.
24. Wine-tasting subscription
For wine lovers, several companies offer mail-order wine-tasting subscription boxes. These can be set up to automatically deliver several bottles of wine per month, usually with a rotating selection of fine wines. Firstleaf and Bright Cellars are two online wine merchants that offer gift cards and premade bundles.
25. Ceremonial-grade matcha
A gift of high-quality tea is a great token of appreciation for those who love a warm drink. Choose a luxurious gift with ceremonial-grade matcha — a premium product that uses the younger green tea leaves from the upper portion of the plant. Look for matcha that’s made in Japan for best results.
26. Chocolate sampler set
Skip the grocery store chocolate boxes and opt for high-quality, single-origin chocolate bars from a variety of chocolatiers. If you have a chocolate shop in your area, ask them to assemble a selection of best-sellers to build a fun and tasty gift box for your speaker.
27. Restaurant gift cards
Reach out to the speaker’s team to see where they like to dine — then see if those restaurants sell e-gift cards. Or, if your speaker will be in your area for the conference for a few days, grab a gift card to a local restaurant you recommend they try. Make sure to tailor the budget for the speaker and a guest if they don’t like to dine alone.
28. Coffee or coffee subscription box
With 66% of Americans drinking coffee daily, most people appreciate the gift of coffee. Online subscription boxes like Atlas Coffee Club are perfect for coffee lovers. Alternatively, coffee cards to the speaker’s favorite local coffee shop also work (just ask their team where they like to grab a cup of joe!).
29. Global snacks subscription box
For a unique batch of snack foods, look into a service like Munch Addict or Universal Yums. These companies curate snacks from all over the world and send members a subscription box each month.
Personalized guest speaker gift ideas
Personalized items — usually with the attendee’s name on them — show that you’ve planned ahead and taken the time to curate a unique gift. Etsy is a great resource for sourcing personalized gifts, or you can work with a local vendor.
30. Personalized mugs
Who doesn’t love a good personalized mug? Companies like VistaPrint make it easy (and pretty affordable). You can personalize gifts with the speaker’s name, company logo, or a favorite quote.
31. Personalized water bottle
Personalized water bottles are a simple and very practical gift. These days, many people like to track their water consumption — so you might consider personalizing something like the HidrateSpark smart water bottle.
32. Personalized mobile device accessories
Personalized device accessories make fun speaker gifts, like laptop sleeves and phone cases. Ask the speaker’s team or family what type of art they like, then order a custom device accessory with that artistic style. Many companies offer custom phone cases where you simply upload an image to be used.
Treat your guests well with a creative speaker gift idea
These ideas can help you show your appreciation for your wonderful guest speakers. This can help you make valuable connections with people in your industry and community — and could potentially secure talent for your future events!
Planning a conference or corporate event? As well as a stellar speaker, you’ll need the right tools in your arsenal. Eventbrite is the leading event management platform that helps you organize, plan, and sell tickets to events.
