What is the selection process for the keynote speakers?
JM: It is definitely a process. As you noticed, last year, we have increased the number from a single keynote speaker to three featured speakers. We involve the committee in this from the outset. First, we collected ideas from people. We looked at the conference’s content landscape and how it was shaping up, which included looking at the various themes that we could emphasize though the message of the featured speaker. What we are interested in first-and-foremost…does the speaker have a message that would appeal to our broad audience? Then at that point, with the promotional team (Brian Amy, and Marsha), we look for examples, primarily on the web, of where individuals have given talks. We listen to them talk and we see where that all plays out and then we make a short list. Lastly, we start contacting people.
