Knowledge Base: Real Answers from Windy Elstermeier
Straight answers to the questions event planners, CEOs and business owners ask most, from 17 years of Walmart leadership and real rooms full of people.
Browse by topic
3 answers
Hiring & Booking a Speaker
Choosing, vetting and budgeting for a keynote speaker.
2 answers
Planning Your Event
Agendas, timing and formats that change what people do next.
1 answer
Leadership Training & Workshops
Scoping training that actually sticks.
More answers coming soon
Business Coaching & Consulting
Working with a business coach or consultant.
All answers
6 questions
I need a keynote speaker for my event. Where do I start?
Start with the result you want, not the speaker. Decide what you want people to think, feel and do differently when they leave. Then match a speaker to your audience, your budget and your date. Most planners do it backwards: they browse speakers first and end up booking a great talk that doesn't fit their event.
2 min read
I'm considering a speaker. How do I know they're actually good?
A good speaker has three things: a message that fits your audience, proof they deliver it well, and real experience behind their stories. The best way to tell is to do some quick research (highlight reel, short clips, one-sheet), call a past client, and pay attention to how the first conversation feels.
2 min read
I need a speaker for our event. How much should I budget, including the extras?
In Windy Elstermeier's experience, keynote speaker fees commonly fall between about $3,000 and $5,000, and Windy's own keynotes start at $3,500. Your total cost is the speaker's fee plus extras: travel, lodging, books or workbooks for attendees, and any AV or room setup. Fees vary with audience size (200 people is different from 2,000), how senior the audience is, how much customization you need, travel distance, and extras like book signings or a bundled workshop. Ask every speaker for an all-in quote so you're comparing the same thing.
2 min read
I'm putting together our conference agenda. Do we need a keynote, breakout sessions, or both?
Start with what you want people to do differently when they leave. If your goal includes both inspiration and practical application, build an agenda with both: a keynote to give everyone a shared message, and breakouts to help people apply it to their own work.
2 min read
I want leadership training for my team. Is a half-day workshop enough?
A half-day workshop can be enough to make real progress on one specific leadership skill. It's rarely enough to fix every leadership challenge your team has built up over the years. The difference is the scope you set before the training begins.
2 min read
I'm working on our schedule. How much time should I give the keynote speaker?
Plan a 50 to 60 minute slot for most keynotes. For a 60-minute slot, the speaker will usually prepare about 45 to 50 minutes of content. Choose 90 minutes if the session includes an exercise or training component.
2 min read