I was recently at an MPI event (Meeting Planners International) having conversations with some awesome people when I had a sense of déjà vu.
It felt like I had had these conversations before.
And then I realized why.
Because, I had, had these conversations before.
As a keynote speaker, I deal with a lot of Association leaders and Event planners and they often tell me the same thing:
“We’re not worried about your keynote. We’re worried about making sure enough people are in the room to experience it.”
(They also worry about filling their room block)
And they’re absolutely right.
We live and work in a very distracting world. The biggest challenge for most meeting planners isn’t what happens on stage 6 months from now, it’s building anticipation before the event so members are eager to register, attend, and engage.
People don’t show up simply because an event exists.
They show up because they believe, long before they arrive, that the experience will be worth their time.
That’s why my work goes beyond the keynote itself. I partner with organizations to spark excitement and motivate members before I ever step on stage. It’s built into my engagement agreements and I suggest you build it into yours because when you create early momentum, everything changes:
- registration increases
- energy rises
- rooms fill
- the entire event becomes more impactful
I think it’s the job of every Keynote speaker to help create the momentum that gets them into the room in the first place.
As keynote speakers, I believe it is our responsibility to help events succeed from the very first announcement, not just the opening moment on stage.
Here’s my philosophy:
“If you want people excited in the room… you must excite them long before they ever get to the room”
If you’re planning a leadership conference, sales kickoff, or association event and want a keynote experience that boosts both registration and impact, I’d be glad to explore how we can make that happen together.
📍 Learn more or connect with me at: www.denniscummins.com
About Dennis
Dr. Dennis Cummins is a sought-after keynote speaker, leadership communication expert, and creator of Invitational Selling™. He helps organizations, sales teams, and executives communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. Dennis teaches audiences how to craft authentic messaging that drives buy-in, boosts sales, and inspires high-performance cultures—especially in today’s AI-noisy environment.
Speaking nationwide at sales kickoffs, leadership conferences, corporate meetings, and association events, Dennis delivers high-energy programs that elevate engagement, improve communication, and motivate teams to take action. His proven strategies help leaders connect more effectively, strengthen influence, and create lasting results across their organizations.
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