Made for the Moment: 3 Reasons You’re Ready to Lead a GEWKC 2026 Session
As a growing entrepreneur, you know business. And, you have something to say. Plus, you may have heard, public speaking opportunities are the new networking. Below, we share three reasons why speaking engagements are a powerful tool for your business, especially at GEWKC.
You Know Best
Relay Your Experience. You can help attendees navigate the realities of building a business today because you have done it. People will relate to your story and they can learn valuable things from your experiences.
Show eager learners how you did it.
Did you turn a side hustle into a thriving online or brick and mortar business that produces steady income?
You don’t have to give away trade secrets. You can provide guidance and steps that will not only help others learn, but will also position you and your business as a success story. People do business with people they can relate too. Hearing your story, will connect them on a personal level and also create interest in supporting your business.
Offer your expertise. Perhaps you provide professional services in access to capital, business law, intellectual property, tax accounting, social media, cyber security or AI marketing. New business owners will want to learn from you! You have experienced it so you can speak on it!
For example, last year media personality, speaker and coach Monique Shurray White led a session on “Power Pitches: How to Nail Your Next Media Pitch.” As an established entrepreneur and business leader, you can spill the tea and help others to avoid mistakes while growing a sustainable business.
These questions may prompt ideas for a session where you can deliver answers and insight.
What are common pitfalls that first-time small business owners face?
What developing trends or technology shaped your B2B business?
Deliver insight on best practices and often overlooked methods to know.
Like Monique, what you know can be the basis for a presentation on that topic, a panel discussion, or a hands-on workshop to guide others. Share your know-how, insight and experience. Many presenters find presenting leads to sales calls! (And, that’s never a bad thing!). Leading discussions and talks at GEWKC is also solid preparation for other conferences, events, and speaking opportunities.
Connect With Your Community
Speaking is the new networking! It’s another way to get in front of a lot of people at one time and talk about your experiences and expertise. Leading a session at GEWKC connects you with like-minded entrepreneurs, decision makers and service providers. You’re literally in the same room with people who have a natural interest in your topic.
Build a feedback loop. Exchanging ideas and experiences with people in the room creates an opportunity to test out a pitch, refine ideas and get real-time feedback.
Know and grow, together. Frequently, session hosts also find inspiration and encouragement from others even as they share their expertise. Discussion and question-and-answer segments within your session can lead to growth, spark an idea or reveal an unexpected perspective.
Establish bonds and genuine connection. You’re creating an opportunity to bond with people who speak your language. These moments create genuine connection and mutual respect often centered around empathy and understanding. You have been in the audience. You speak to them in a way that showcases you understand their plight and you are supporting them. (While still showcasing your business; it’s a win-win).
Visibility Creates Opportunity
Visibly impressive. Leading a workshop or talk establishes your expertise, creates clout, strengthens credibility and reinforces your authority as a subject matter expert. GEWKC gathers a wide array of savvy thinkers and innovators who might be your next customer, partner or mentor. Creating visibility lets them know you exist, what you’re interested in and increases your appeal as a professional connection who knows what you’re talking about.
Business speaker and mentor Sandra Garlick wrote about the relationship between visibility and personal brand, and how both work together on your behalf.
“Your visibility activity is not just something you’re simply doing to tick a box. Over time, familiarity builds, and as that builds, trust starts to form, and that’s usually where opportunities start to come from,” observed Garlick. “This doesn't always happen immediately and not always in the way you expect, but gradually over time you start to see the impact of those conversations, those introductions, those moments where you chose to show up... speaking, guesting on podcasts, exhibiting at events, networking etc.”
Circles MCR founder and podcast Chris March concurs. “No matter how strong your product or service is, if people don’t know you exist, growth becomes incredibly difficult,” wrote Marsh. Visibility isn’t just about posting on LinkedIn or attending the occasional networking event. It’s about showing up consistently, in the right places, with the right message. Whether that’s through social content, events, podcasts, or direct outreach, each touchpoint increases the chances of someone recognising your name, your brand, and what you stand for.”
Ready is a State of Mind
Leading a talk or moderating a panel discussion may seem intimidating. Taking the first step to apply is usually the hardest step. Something to consider: every speaker has had their first time too. Take a few deep breaths, give yourself a pep talk and apply to lead a session today! (We happen to have a great opportunity for one: Global Entrepenuership Week (GEWKC)!
Since its inception in 2008, GEWKC has featured countless business owners, leaders and experts who presented at the annual gathering for the first time. You can do it, too.
Anyone can submit a session.
Business owners with been-there-done-that experience and insights
Business-building organizations who help entrepreneurs reach their next milestones
Policy influencers and makers with updates on how entrepreneurship is supported in Kansas City
Corporate leaders with information on how entrepreneurs and small business owners can better work with them
Leaders who can share how entrepreneurship has helped build dreams, lives and communities.
Ready to learn more? Check out our Speaker FAQs, then submit your idea.