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2025 Smart Speaker Award - Best of the Stage!

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August 2025 - Just Announced!

“One of the most powerful decisions a meeting professional can make is choosing the right voice to take the stage. A great speaker doesn’t just fill a slot in the agenda—they set the tone, amplify your message and create the moments attendees remember long after the event is over.


That’s why we turned to the Smart Meetings community to find the speakers who are elevating programs across the country—those who understand what it means to be a true event partner. Whether you’re looking to inspire, educate, entertain or challenge your audience, these pros deliver.





We organized this year’s list by the goals they help

achieve: Innovation Accelerators, Inspiration Agents, Industry Experts, Life Changers, Team Builders and Belonging Believers. These are the changemakers who align with your mission and bring it to life from the stage.

Consider this your shortcut to sourcing speakers who not only shine, but help your event do the same.”


– JT Long

Vice President/Content Director 

Smart Meetings 






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“There’s a quiet kind of resilience you learn growing up on the prairies. Saskatchewan has this way of humbling you and hardening you at the same time, it teaches you to show up, even when no one’s watching.


I remember snow that could swallow cars whole, and skies so wide they made you feel like anything was possible. You learn early on that community isn’t just a word, it’s a way of life. Neighbors help neighbors, people pitch in, and stories are currency. That sense of storytelling, of human connection, that’s the part of Saskatchewan I carry with me every time I step onto a stage.


I never imagined that the boy who used to shovel snow for elders on our block would one day be honored as an industry speaker. But I did learn that if you lead with heart, stay curious, and never forget your roots. . .there’s no limit to where your voice can carry you.”


Bring Lamar Engel to Your Next Event

Looking for a speaker who can energize your audience, elevate your programming, and create memorable moments on stage?


Lamar Engel, 2025 Smart Speaker Award Winner and founder of The Wine Militia brings over two decades of experience in experiential storytelling, hospitality leadership, and brand-building across the wine and events industry.


Whether you’re hosting a corporate summit, industry panel, leadership retreat, or private team experience, Lamar delivers:

  • Dynamic keynote talks on immersive hospitality, brand storytelling, and legacy leadership

  • Expert panel moderation with humor, insight, and audience engagement

  • Custom sessions tailored to your team, audience, or clients

  • Real-world strategies that resonate with today’s audiences—from executives to emerging leaders


If your organization values connection, innovation, and unforgettable experiences, don't hesitate to reach out!


Now booking Fall 2025 – Spring 2026

Or message directly here to start the conversation. Cheers!

 
 
 

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