Event Planning Resources

The resources below were created to help event and meeting organizers create, measure, and expand the potential of corporate events, university events, and association conferences. These reports, ebooks, videos, case studies, and calculators are all available for download. As your trusted partner in the speaker booking process, AAE is committed to helping create engaging and memorable events.

Guides for Successful Event Planning

With the time that goes into planning and executing a great, engaging event, your free time to learn new skills or improve others might be more limited than you’d like. We’ve assembled a list of great resources that can help you on your event planning journey, whether you are an industry veteran or new to the business.

Resources for Event Planning

Event Planning Guides

Calculating Event ROI Guide & Worksheet Bundle

This solution guide with complementary workbook will help you know the right way to approach calculating ROI, and it will start you on the way to comprehensively reporting on your events.
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Speaking Industry Benchmark Report

Released March 26th! Find insights from over 700 event strategists and keynote speakers on the entire event planning process – from choosing a speaker to orchestrating an unforgettable event experience.
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Digital Marketing for Event Professionals

Get an in-depth view into four main strategies that can help you strengthen your marketing impact, as well as attract, satisfy, and retain customers and event attendees.
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Hybrid Event Planning Guide

Bring hybrid events to your organization with these helpful tips and ideas.
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Virtual Events Guide

Virtual events are here to stay! This guide can help you make the most of them.
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Safe Return to In-Person Events

Ready to venture back to in-person events? We’ve got suggestions, ideas, and encouragement for safely heading back to your next in-person conference, meeting, or event.
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Customer Success Stories

Customer Success Stories

Organizations across industries like technology, financial services, non-profit, and university, leverage the impact that a keynote speaker can make to engage audiences and convey compelling messages to attendees. Here are some examples of the clients we’ve been fortunate to work with who share their success stories.

Univ. of South Dakota Hosts Leading Mental Health Speaker

Kevin Hines, a leading keynote speaker on suicide prevention and mental health, addressed the audience at the University of South Dakota.
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Record-Setting Virtual Event on Cybersecurity

How one corporate utilities company shifted to virtual events with cybersecurity expert Rachel Tobac, and then experienced their top viewed event ever.
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Human Services Agency Finds Perfect Speaker

Read how Milestone Centers found the perfect speaker in Mikayla Holmgren to address their unique audience with behavioral challenges and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Shine Initiative Goes Virtual With Sean Astin

Shine Initiative hosts actor, director, and mental health advocate Sean Astin, and shifts fundraising event to virtual platform while raising money and awareness.
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Pendo User Conference Successfully Pivots

Pendo’s annual user conference, Pendomonium, booked top talent virtually while staying in budget.
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Innovation Event Draws Highest Attendance Ever

Bennett Thrasher hosted Pascal Finette for a highly successful virtual event in 2020.
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From the AAE Speaks Blog

  • 13 Experts Who Provide Clarity on the Global Economy

    In an ever-evolving global economy, understanding the complexities of finance, policy, and market trends is essential for making informed decisions. Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, or simply someone looking to better navigate economic uncertainty, the guidance of top experts is invaluable. Below are some of the leading voices in economics, finance, and geopolitics whose

  • Futurist Speakers Help Your Business Stay Ahead of the Curve

    The future of business isn’t just about reacting to change — it’s about anticipating it. Futurism, in the corporate world, is the practice of forecasting trends, technological shifts, and societal changes that will impact industries in the years to come. Forward-thinking companies don’t just adapt to the future; they shape it. So, what does futurism

  • 20 Musical Artists to Book with a $20K Budget

    Music has the power to move audiences, and these talented artists prove you don’t need a massive budget to book an unforgettable performance. From country and folk to jazz, pop, and electronic beats, these singers, musicians, and DJs bring energy, authenticity, and star power to the stage — all for under $20K. Whether you’re looking

  • Bring Comedy to Your Company Retreat

    Nothing brings people together quite like laughter. In the workplace, a sense of humor isn’t just a bonus — it’s a tool for building stronger teams, reducing stress, and fostering collaboration. That’s why businesses looking to create a memorable and engaging retreat should consider bringing in a stand-up comedian. Laughter strengthens team bonds Shared laughter

  • 9 Powerful Life Lessons from Elite Mountain Climbers

    Mountain climbing isn’t just about reaching the summit. It’s a test of resilience, risk management, and perseverance. The world’s top mountain climbers navigate uncertainty, push past failure, and redefine limits. From Alex Honnold’s daring free solos to Silvia Vasquez-Lavado’s groundbreaking ascents, these athletes have faced extreme challenges and emerged stronger. Their journeys offer powerful lessons

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Speaker Spotlight Videos

Video is a very helpful tool in the busy event organizer’s toolbox. Giving us a sense for personality, speaking style, and topic expertise, speakers who can effectively draw you in through video are highly likely to do the same (or better) in person. Below, you’ll find a series of speaker interviews we did, and we also have compiled playlists featuring some of the top talent in a variety of categories. Check them out below.

DEI speaker Deanna Singh shares valuable insight on building an inclusive workplace.

Jenn Lim on Happiness

Chief Happiness Officer, Jenn Lim from Delivering Happiness, shares with us what we need to know about happiness and why spreading it is more important than ever.
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Anthony Trucks on Making Shift Happen

Former NFL player and motivational speaker Anthony Trucks speaks with us about Making Shift Happen in our lives.
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Dr. Christian Conte on Mental Health

Hear from Dr. Christian Conte, who has worked tirelessly to make it his mission to make a positive impact in people’s lives by helping them manage their mental health.
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Deanna Singh on Inclusive Workplaces

Deanna Singh discusses the concept of inclusion in the workplace and how to properly articulate your diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values and initiatives.
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Keith L. Brown on Education

Mr. I’m Possible, Keith L. Brown, overcame his own early education challenges to become a leading speaker on education, youth and family empowerment, anti-bullying, D&I, and social justice.
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Jenny Evans on Managing Stress

Jenny Evans is a keynote speaker, author and on-air expert on resiliency, stress, confidence and human performance. Her approach helps audiences learn how to recover from stress more quickly and effectively.
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Holland Haiis on Connection and the Future of Work

Human Connection Catalyst, Holland Haiis, breaks down the top three things we should all know about connectivity and how workplaces and the strategies that help them succeed have changed to adapt to the future of work.
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Alex Banayan on Exponential Growth

Alex Banayan, author of The Third Door, shares what he learned during his seven-year quest to uncover the definitive mindset of exponential growth and success. The book is a #1 international bestseller.
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