BOOKING SPEAKERS
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right speaker shapes how your entire event lands. Here's what event planners in Canada and the US most often ask K&M Productions before booking.
Does it cost anything to work with K&M Productions? +
No. K&M Productions is paid by the speaker's fee, not by you, so our advice, recommendations, and ongoing support come at no additional cost. In most cases, pricing through a bureau is identical to booking a speaker directly through their own site — the real advantage is what happens if something goes wrong. If a speaker cancels on short notice, a reputable bureau like K&M can source a comparable replacement fast; going direct, you're on your own. --
I've never booked a keynote speaker before — where do I start? +
Call or email K&M Productions. Our team has decades of combined experience matching Canadian and US organizations with the right speaker, and we'd rather talk through your event than have you guess from a website. Browse our roster for ideas, but the fastest path to the right fit is a conversation with someone who books speakers for a living. --
What kinds of speakers does K&M Productions represent? +
Our roster spans business and political leaders, bestselling authors, subject-matter experts, academics and researchers, champion athletes, media personalities, and award-winning entertainers. Our published roster isn't exhaustive — if you're looking for a specific speaker or topic and don't see them listed, contact us. We source speakers outside our public roster at no extra cost. --
How can I preview a speaker before booking? +
Start with video. Most K&M speakers have clips on their individual profile page and on our YouTube channel — the fastest way to gauge style and delivery. Video only tells part of the story, though; call us for insight into how a speaker might handle your specific theme or audience. When possible, we can also arrange for you to preview a speaker in person at another event, though presentations are customized per audience, so this isn't always a perfect gauge either. --
What's the best way to find the right speaker for my event? +
Work with us directly. Ask for our honest opinion, request references from past clients, or ask to speak with the speaker before committing. K&M Productions isn't paid on commission, so we have no incentive to steer you toward a pricier option — only the right one. --
How much does it cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada? +
Canadian speaker fees typically start around $7,500 CDN and can exceed $25,000 CDN depending on the speaker's profile and demand. In the US, fees generally start near $10,000 USD and can reach $100,000 USD or more. Use our advanced search to filter by fee range, or contact K&M Productions directly for guidance on speakers who fit both your objectives and your budget. --
Does the Speaker's fee change based on presentation length or format? +
Often, yes. Many speakers charge differently for a keynote versus a half-day or full-day program, while others charge a flat engagement fee regardless of length. Virtual presentations tend to be discounted in cost by many speakers. Contact K&M Productions for an exact quote based on your event's specific requirements. --
What about Stage Show Entertainers? Does their fee change based on presentation length? +
In the vast majority of instances - no. And it's important to understand why. Whether you are booking a high profile entertainer or comedian, magician, mentalism show, or even a live band, the full fee is a constant. To be clear (and for novice event & wedding planners - and those just trying to save money) stage show entertainers don't charge by the minute, comedians don't charge by the joke, and bands or vocalists don't charge by the song. Whether you're looking to fill just 10-20 minutes, or a full 45-70 minute show, the cost remains the same - especially if the event is not within a commutable distance. The entertainer(s) are booked off exclusively for your event, regardless of the length of their performance. They also require a properly allocated amount of time to effectively present, engage, entertain and interact with an audience. Planners looking to save money by offering a shorter "vignette" presentation to their guests would be better off forgoing it or increasing the entertainment budget to allow for more performance time so that their valued audience members are properly entertained. In short, we're not UBER. And the performers, shows and entertainers we work with aren't either in terms of their show lengths and pricing. --
What if the speaker I want isn't listed on your website? +
Ask us anyway. Our published roster represents only a portion of the speakers we have access to through our industry network. We're regularly asked to source speakers not listed on kmprod.com, and we do this at no additional cost — we can usually confirm availability and fees even for speakers outside our public listings. --
Do you handle anything beyond keynote speakers? +
Yes. K&M Productions is a full-service Canadian corporate event planning and conference programming company with a dedicated speaker's bureau division, offering AV, décor, musical acts, comedy, and variety entertainment alongside speaker bookings. Whether you need a high-profile athlete, a media personality, subject matter expert, a celebrity chef, a party band, tribute show, interactive team building event, or a prominent corporate comedian, we can book and coordinate all aspects. --
What happens if a speaker cancels last minute? +
It's rare — cancellations occur in less than one percent of the engagements K&M books, typically due to unexpected illness or travel disruption. When it does happen, we act immediately to source a comparable replacement, at equal or great value, so your event isn't left without a speaker. This safety net is one of the clearest advantages of booking through a bureau instead of directly with a speaker. --
Can I record the speaker's presentation? +
Ask first. Most speakers permit recording for archival purposes, but policies vary, and some are sensitive about audio or video capture. K&M Productions will secure permission from the speaker on your behalf before your event. --
Will the speaker take part in more than just the presentation — a meal, a reception? +
Most speakers are open to additional participation, though it varies by individual. Meet-and-greets, book signings, photo opportunities, and Q&A sessions should be discussed and confirmed in advance, and built into your contract. --
Can you help make the speaker's book available at our event? +
Yes. If you'd like to pre-purchase copies or make the speaker's book available on-site, K&M Productions will help you source the best option for your event. --
Can we speak with the speaker directly before the event? +
In most cases, yes — both before you finalize your decision and after booking. K&M Productions arranges these calls and ensures your event details are communicated clearly so the speaker can prepare a presentation that's genuinely relevant to your audience. --
Will the speaker customize their presentation for our event? +
Most speakers do, though the degree of customization varies by individual. Typically this involves reviewing information about your organization and a pre-event call; some speakers will meet face-to-face if needed. Always ask directly how a speaker approaches customization — a strong speaker should know their audience well enough to make the presentation feel built specifically for your event, regardless of format. --
Are there hidden costs beyond the speaker's fee? +
Generally, travel and related expenses are billed separately from the fee — be aware of required travel class in advance. Audio-visual requirements are typically a separate cost as well, so confirm what your venue needs ahead of time. --
Where do I find a speaker's fee range on your site? +
Nearly every speaker page on our site includes a Fee Range box. On desktop, it sits in the upper right, above the booking contact box; on mobile, it appears directly beneath the speaker's main photo. Click it to reveal the speaker's fee range for budgeting purposes. --