It comes down to respect and clear communication. Be upfront about your expectations and open to the speaker’s ideas. Provide the resources and information they need (like a detailed brief, access to key people for insights, etc.). Respond to their emails and calls promptly. And recognise that your speaker wants your event to succeed just as much as you do – you’re on the same team. Showing appreciation for their work (even a quick thank-you note after the event) also goes a long way. When both the organiser and the speaker treat each other as partners, it sets the stage for a fantastic outcome.