Pivotal Solutions
Planning Your Event2 min readUpdated

I'm putting together our conference agenda. Do we need a keynote, breakout sessions, or both?

Windy Elstermeier

By Windy Elstermeier, Founder & CEO, Pivotal Solutions

An audience watching a speaker in front of a bright screen
Photo: Kevin Gonzalez / Unsplash

Keynote or breakout: what each one does

  • Keynote: gives everyone a shared experience. It introduces an idea, creates connection and sets a message people can carry through the event.
  • Breakout sessions: give people room to explore how that message applies to their responsibilities, and to practice.
  • Both: the best choice when you want people inspired and ready to act.

How keynotes and breakouts work together

  • Opening keynote + matching breakout: a keynote about confidence helps people see where self-doubt is limiting their leadership. A related breakout lets them role-play a courageous conversation, practice their words, get feedback and build confidence before having that conversation at work.
  • Closing keynote: after people have attended different breakouts, a closing speaker brings everyone back together. When that speaker knows the breakout topics, they can connect the ideas, reinforce the day's lessons and help people decide what comes next.
  • Room to talk: leave time for questions, reflection and conversations between participants. Sometimes that's where an idea becomes a commitment.

Match the format to the event

  • Short luncheon: one focused keynote may be exactly right.
  • Full-day conference: plan how keynotes and breakouts support one another from the opening through the closing.

A simple way to build your agenda

  1. Write down what you want people to do differently afterwards.
  2. Choose one clear thread for the whole event.
  3. Make every session earn its place.
  4. Give people a reason to care, a way to practice, and a next step they can actually take.

Windy's perspective

My perspective comes from working on both sides of the room. I spent more than 17 years at Walmart, moving from a seasonal associate into corporate leadership, and today I work with leaders and business owners through Pivotal Solutions. I know how easy it is to enjoy a presentation and return to work without changing anything. An effective agenda helps people cross that gap. When I wrote programming materials for founders, the goal was explicit: founders should walk away with actions to take in their own businesses. That's the same standard I'd bring to a conference.
Windy ElstermeierWindy ElstermeierFounder & CEO, Pivotal Solutions

Quick answers

Usually, yes. A keynote gives everyone the same message to rally around, and breakouts can then turn that message into practical skills.

Planning a conference? Book a quick call to talk through your agenda.

See Windy's keynotes and workshops →
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