Strong business relationships are the cornerstone of successful organizations. In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, leaders who can build, nurture, and leverage meaningful connections with clients, partners, and teams gain a significant competitive advantage. A powerful keynote speaker can provide the insights, strategies, and inspiration needed to elevate your organization’s relationship-building skills.
In this guide, we highlight the top five business relationship keynote speakers for 2025—experts who are renowned for their ability to teach actionable strategies, foster authentic connections, and inspire audiences to cultivate lasting professional relationships. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, conference, or leadership summit, these speakers can help transform how your organization approaches business relationships.
Here are 5 Business Relationship Keynote Speakers
Rodney Schlosser
Rodney’s expertise in building business relationships stems from decades of real-world experience and proven success. For more than 20 years, he has served as Senior Vice President of Business Development & Partnerships at Asurion, a Nashville-based B2B company, where he played a key role in the company’s remarkable growth from $100 million to $8 billion in annual revenue. In this capacity, he has consistently identified, developed, and nurtured strong, authentic, and trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Website: https://www.rodneyschlosser.com/
Matt Tenney
Matt Tenney is recognized for delivering powerful and actionable insights that enable leaders to enhance employee engagement, boost performance, and create workplace cultures that attract and retain top talent.
He is also widely known for his inspiring keynotes, which begin with his remarkable journey from prisoner to monk to social entrepreneur and conclude with a compelling reminder of the importance of prioritizing service to others.
Audiences consistently leave Matt’s talks feeling deeply inspired, often remarking that his keynote is among the most impactful and memorable they have ever experienced.
Website: https://www.matttenney.com/
Kate Ancketill
Kate Ancketill is a globally recognized futurist and innovation expert with over two decades of experience guiding clients through the rapidly evolving landscape of retail and customer experience.
She is renowned for her engaging speaking style and for providing insights on the macro forces shaping the economy, culture, and technology.
Kate’s impressive career includes serving on the board of directors at the British Design Council and as a trustee of the Design Museum in London. Her work has been featured in major publications, including Forbes, The New York Times, and The Guardian.
Website: https://www.kateancketill.com/
Kim Blue
Kim Blue is a seasoned leadership speaker with a proven track record of developing and executing organizational strategies for top-tier companies such as ESPN and Microsoft.
She currently serves as Chief People Officer at OpenExchange, Inc., a fintech company, where she leads the human resources team and ensures organizational alignment with business objectives.
Kim is dedicated to driving positive change that benefits both companies and their communities. She inspires leaders to embrace growth, change, diversity, and inclusion, believing that true inclusion allows all perspectives to thrive. Through her one-on-one consulting and large-scale training sessions, she is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential.
John Maxwell
John C. Maxwell is a renowned author, speaker, and pastor, widely recognized for his expertise in leadership. He has written numerous books, including several New York Times bestsellers.
Maxwell is celebrated for his inspirational, humorous, and thought-provoking presentation style, making him one of the most sought-after leadership speakers. He is the founder of The John Maxwell Company, The John Maxwell Team, and EQUIP, and is considered a leading authority on leadership.
Over his career, Maxwell has trained millions of leaders across 180 countries and has worked with Fortune 500 companies, tech start-ups, universities, and non-profit organizations. Beyond his books, he speaks extensively on leadership, organizational change, teamwork, and corporate culture.
Website: https://johnmaxwellteam.com/
How to Choose the Right Keynote Speaker for Your Event?
Choosing the right leadership keynote speaker can make or break your event. A great speaker not only inspires your audience but also reinforces your event’s goals and theme. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you make the right choice:
Define Your Event Goals and Audience
Start by clarifying what you want your event to achieve. Are you aiming to motivate your team, provide practical leadership strategies, or spark innovation? Understanding your audience’s demographics, interests, and expectations will help you select a speaker who resonates with them.
Understand the Event Tone and Theme
Consider the atmosphere and style of your event. Is it formal, casual, or highly interactive? The speaker should align with the overall tone and reinforce your event’s theme to create a cohesive experience.
Identify the Keynote Speaker’s Topic and Expertise
Leadership is a broad subject. Narrow down the specific areas most relevant to your audience—such as team building, organizational change, or diversity and inclusion—and ensure the speaker has proven expertise in those areas.
Research Potential Speakers
Look for speakers with a strong track record, including previous speaking engagements, client testimonials, and media features. Watching videos of past presentations can give you insight into their style and audience engagement.
Interview Candidates
Speak directly with potential speakers to understand their approach, availability, and compatibility with your event objectives. Ask about their experience handling similar audiences and the kind of value they deliver.
Tailor the Offer and Finalize the Agreement
Once you’ve selected a speaker, negotiate terms and ensure the agreement reflects expectations for content, format, and logistics. Clear communication at this stage ensures a smooth collaboration and a successful event.
Create Lasting Impact With Keynote Speakers
The impact of your event often hinges on selecting the ideal business relationship keynote speaker. A skilled speaker delivers actionable insights, practical strategies, and inspiration that empower attendees to cultivate stronger, more meaningful professional connections.
By clearly defining your event goals, understanding your audience, and carefully evaluating potential speakers, you can ensure your keynote resonates, motivates, and drives real results. Investing the time to select the perfect speaker will create a memorable and impactful experience that benefits both your organization and its people long after the event concludes.
