Here’s a question for you. Be honest (please). Before COVID-19 came along, how excited were you to be glued to your seat, eyes forward, fighting the post-lunch food coma—for a 60-minute keynote?
In our recent experience, COVID-19 has changed our expectations for keynote speaker presentations and corporate events for the better. Gone are the days where a sixty-minute PowerPoint with a voice over (delivered at another virtual conference the day before), was the height of the online experience.

Thankfully, audiences are now getting fewer slides and more interactivity from their hosts and presenters. Expectations have also changed for conference demand, pricing, format, and topics. Here are the latest trends, We see in online virtual conferences.

DEMAND

Since March 2020, online conferences have increased exponentially—and why not, they’re the meetings industry’s only option. While some businesses canceled their in-person events, other, forward-thinking ones worked on moving keynote experiences to interactive virtual platforms. Based on an estimated 1.9 million conferences per year (according to Meetings-Conventions Magazine), it’s likely that nearly 1.5 million conferences will be either canceled or converted to virtual format in 2020 alone.

We don’t expect online conferences to disappear when COVID-19 does. Speakers bureaus expect companies to keep booking keynote speakers and using the online experience format for years to come.

PRICING

Online events are less expensive to organize than in-person events. Instead of placing a deposit for a huge venue, meals, accommodation for hundreds, and paying travel for guests and presenters, the main costs are the keynote presenters and virtual platform.

Virtual keynote speaker are generally less expensive to book, plus there are no travel costs. Speakers bureaus are seeing keynote speakers being more flexible on pricing, since they aren’t spending additional days for travel or overcoming jetlag. While " Celebrity" speakers will still command premium prices, t, the good news is the keynote fee will be the biggest expense of the event now that conference venue, travel and food are not needed.

FORMAT

Online events have upended the keynote format. Webinars have changed from the stereotypical 45-60 minute presentation with PowerPoint slides to the new “Unwebinar” format. Instead of staring at stale slides for an hour, audiences get a short introduction with an emcee and a shorter 20-25 minute lecture/presentation with a colorful deck, followed by a 15-20 minute Q&A, or sometimes with a panel.

The Unwebinar is also more interactive for audiences. Online virtual platforms allow the audience to engage with the presenters through surveys, polls, and chat. Attendees can even chat with each other to discuss the event in progress.

TOPICS

While the format has changed, the Speaking topics are mostly the same. Top Companies are still interested in leadership, teamwork, motivation, happiness, Health and innovation. The difference is presenters now apply their Life Lessons and takeaways to dealing with the effects of COVID-19. Keynote speakers show participants how to apply old principles to the new Working from home ,working life and to dealing with downsized markets and offices.

Anand Kumar’s journey as a mathematician and an educationalist is inspiring. The man who is famous for being the Super 30 is now again in the limelight. Anand Kumar’s interesting life will see the silver screen with Hrithik Roshan’s Super 30. Termed as the most successful educational programme in India, Anand Kumar, with his Super 30, provided free coaching to students from economically weaker sections of the society for the IIT JEE. Anand Kumar’s efforts did not go in vain and the talent bundle soon became the talk of the town for his dedication and teaching skills. Anand Kumar as a speaker is worth listening to. Actor Hrithik Roshan will now essay the role of Anand Kumar in his upcoming film Super 30. The movie is based on Anand Kumar’s life and is directed by Vikas Bahl. The handsome hunk who is known for his mind-blowing screen presence has not only toned down his physique for the film but has also adapted Anand’s mannerisms and teaching style. Well, before you go for the movie, here are a few things you must learn from Super 30 Anand Kumar.
 

• Education and Sports are very Similar

Just like sports, even education especially mathematics needs regular practice. In order to train the mind successfully, it is essential to be consistent. The right blend of passion and willingness is also required for education which makes it very similar to sports! Known for his teaching style, Anand in his interviews has stated how Hrithik also interacted with a few of his students to get a better understanding of the character.
 

• There can be many Solutions to One Problem

Being a mathematician, Anand Kumar in his speeches has always stressed on the fact that there can be many solutions to one problem. This is not just a great mathematics tip but can also be applied to life in general. Similarly, in the film Super 30 too, the viewers are bound to get entertained with loads of life lessons. The movie not only revolves around Anand Kumar’s hardships but also portrays how every difficult situation needs careful handling!
 

• Focus on Individual Strengths

Most of us only concentrate on the competition but it is equally important to focus on individual strengths too. Anand Kumar in his Super 30 programme has always stressed on building self-confidence and developing ideas.
 
Watch Anand Kumar’s life of success, failure and hardships on the big screen with Hrithik Roshan’s Super 30. The film also stars Mrunal Thakur. 

Known for being an adventure enthusiast, Shalini Saraswathi has seen drastic ups and downs in her life. The blade runner who lost her limbs to a rare bacterial infection has always been strong and determined when it comes to facing challenges and dealing with life struggles. Shalini fell a victim to multi-organ failure while she was pregnant. The adventurous soul was detected with Rickettsial, a rare bacterial infection. Shocked at the loss of her limbs, Saraswathi was affected both physically and emotionally. Finding support in friends and family, Shalini finally managed to get back to her real self. Shalini Saraswathi became a household name when she participated in the TCS 10k marathon. The celebrated speaker participated in the run with her prosthetic limbs. Labelled as the blade runner, Shalini Saraswathi’s journey is no less than a life lesson. Listen to Shalini Saraswathi as a motivational speaker and inspire yourself. Here are some important things to learn from Shalini Saraswathi’s life journey.

• It is Essential to Move On

Shalini Saraswathi highlights that it is necessary to move on in life. Shalini remembers being emotionally helpless and depressed when she underwent amputation. However, the inspiring soul states that it is necessary to move on and divert the mind towards something productive.

• It is Okay to Cry

Letting out emotions can be of great help when it comes to dealing with life crisis. The blade runner confesses that she still cries sometimes but it only makes her stronger. Feeling low is a part and parcel of life but it is necessary to accept that emotion as well. Mourning can help you deal with the situation better!

• Self- acceptance is the Key to Achieving Success

Shalini Saraswathi as a motivational speaker shares how difficult it was for her to accept the loss of her limbs. However, instead of self-pity, the celebrated personality chose to go for self-acceptance. Practising self-acceptance can boost you mentally and help you deal with complicated situations logically.
 
Listen to Shalini Saraswathi as a motivational speaker and find answers to dealing with all your life problems! 

Breaking the societal norms is still considered a very challenging move in India. Though the country has made some notable progress, it still has a long way to go in terms of getting rid of the taboos and judgemental views. The LGBTQ community has suffered a lot and is still struggling for acceptance. Even after the landmark judgement, the life for the stated community is far from easy. Several well-known personalities have now come out in the open and supported the community. In today’s times, it is necessary to voice support for disability diversity because it helps in increasing awareness. Moreover, it is best to attend speech sessions of well-known personalities who talk on disability diversity to get a better perspective. These speech sessions can also lead to a positive change in the mentality of the people. The key to breaking the conservativeness of the society is to discuss these issues openly. Inspiring personalities like Arunima Sinha, Shalini Saraswati, Nandita Das, Divyanshu Ganatra and Kalki Subramaniam are celebrated disability diversity speakers. Take a look at what these personalities practice and preach.
 

• Arunima Sinha

Known for being the first Indian female amputee to climb the Mount Everest, Arunima Sinha has carved a name for herself in the field of mountaineering. The respected mountaineer will give you a never heard before perspective on survival and being strong mentally. Arunima Sinha as a motivational speaker will surely inspire you!
 

• Shalini Saraswathi

Talk about breaking all the boundaries and you can’t help but think about Shalini Saraswathi. The survivor of a rare bacterial infection wherein she lost her both arms and legs is known for her take on dealing with life struggles.
 

• Nandita Das

Skin colour has always been a topic of discussion in our country and celebrated Bollywood actor and activist Nandita Das the motivational speaker has openly spoken about it at several platforms. Her speeches highlight our society’s hypocrisy and why is it necessary to break the barriers.
 

• Divyanshu Ganatra

Divyanshu Ganatra, better known as India’s first blind solo paraglider, had experienced the biggest life tragedy when he was 19. The glaucoma-affected personality is now known for his speeches on adventures and determination.
 

• Kalki Subramaniam

The transgender activist,  Kalki Subramanian, is a motivational speaker who speaks on issues related to social discrimination and inequality. Her speech sessions also highlight why it is important to accept the LGBTQ community.
 
Attend their speech sessions and get inspired! 

​Some of the most powerful figures in today’s world are women, who are filling positions of influence in boardrooms, hospitals, athletic competitions, and even Politics. Simply Life India Speakers Bureau’s roster of famous female motivational speakers, is full of role models, icons and gurus who have helped blaze trails for innumerable women (and men!) in the fields of business, health, politics, spirituality, and career development. They are wildly successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, Olympic athletes, doctors, and humorists, and whether they are a famous female, top business leader, or motivational speaker, they all have a story to share that will inform and inspire.