10 gift ideas to make your speakers feel appreciated
By Laura Ojeda Melchor●8 min. read●May 23, 2025
Whether they're presenting at your annual conference or leading a breakout session, guest speakers play a critical role in adding value to your event. They bring credibility, spark fresh ideas, and dedicate significant time to prepare — sometimes even without compensation.
A thoughtful, well-chosen thank-you gift is a small gesture that can have a big impact. It goes a long way toward building valuable long-term relationships with your guest speakers and shows your appreciation for their partnership.
But knowing what kind of item to give is tricky, so we're here to help. In this guide, you'll discover what makes a present meaningful, plus the 10 top ideas for speaker gifts.
Why give a gift to a guest speaker?
Yes, speaker gifts are polite, but they’re also strategic in building lasting relationships and elevate your event experience. Here’s why they matter:
Show genuine appreciation for the speaker’s time, effort, and preparation.
Strengthen and nurture relationships with industry experts, thought leaders, and influencers.
Leave a lasting impression that can lead to future collaborations or referrals.
Make outreach easier — potential speakers are more likely to say yes when they know they’ll be recognized and appreciated.
What makes a gift for conference speakers great
Not all gifts are created equal. The best speaker gifts have the right balance of thoughtful and practical. Look for gift options that are:
Personal: It shows you understand who the speaker is and what they might appreciate.
Useful: Something they’ll genuinely want to use, not just stash in a drawer.
Flexible: Easy to send digitally or ship internationally.
On-brand: Reflects your company culture without being overly promotional.
A well-chosen gift can leave a lasting impression, help you stand out as a thoughtful host, and even open the door to future opportunities. It’s a small investment that can make your event feel more polished and professional, while reinforcing your brand in a meaningful, human way.
Now, without further ado, let’s explore the top 10 gifts for speakers.
10 gift ideas for speakers
Here are 10 thoughtful gift ideas to consider for your next event. We’ve grouped them by category to help you quickly find the right fit, whether you’re thanking a virtual panelist or an in-person keynote speaker.
Physical gifts
1. Premium branded swag
Skip the unmemorable, generic promo items. Instead, opt for high-quality branded products your speaker will actually want to keep (and maybe even love).
Not sure where to start? Swag.com is a great option for well-designed products from brands like The North Face, JBL, Tile, Moleskine, Ember, and Corkcicle. You can personalize everything from notebooks and mugs to baseball caps and bluetooth trackers.
Keep in mind, most items have a minimum quantity you must purchase — a great way to plan ahead and buy gifts in bulk for all the speakers on your docket!
If you don’t want to deal with minimum quantity requirements, try out a service like Merchloop to create custom swag boxes with high-quality items and ship them directly to your speakers, which is perfect for virtual events.
Pro tip: When creating custom products, go for subtle branding. A small, tasteful logo in an understated spot can go a long way and is often appreciated. No one wants to feel like they’re being handed a walking billboard.
2. Relevant books
Books can make thoughtful, personal gifts, especially if they tie into your speaker’s area of expertise or interests. A signed copy by a notable author in your industry can be a standout gesture.
Not sure how to find the right book? Consider titles that:
• Reflect your event’s theme or industry focus
• Offer inspiration or thought leadership in their field
• Provide a break from work with engaging fiction, memoirs, or travel writing
Want to make it more personal? Include a short handwritten note explaining why you picked that book for them. When done well, a book gift feels intentional and considerate, helping you stand out as a thoughtful host and laying the groundwork for a stronger, ongoing professional relationship.
3. Gift baskets
There’s a reason that gift baskets are a classic. They’re exciting to open, typically including 5–7 thoughtfully chosen items, increasing the odds that something inside will truly resonate with your guest speaker.
Here’s our mini guide to assembling a thoughtful gift basket for guest speakers:
Pick a theme: Choose something relevant or universal—like relaxation, productivity, gourmet snacks, or travel essentials. Or, do a mix of everything, choosing one item from each category.
Balance practical and fun: Pair something useful (like a quality notebook or reusable mug) alongside a treat (like artisan chocolate, special coffee or tea, or a candle).
Support local brands: Especially for in-person events, this shows that you put extra thought into the basket and chose items that reflect the place your guest speaker is visiting.
Keep it professional: Avoid overly personal items like skincare, clothing, or alcohol, unless you’re sure of the speaker’s preferences.
Include a personalized note: A short thank-you message makes the gift and your appreciation feel much more sincere. To add even more value, consider including a prepaid Visa gift card on top. It’s a good way to go, especially if you don’t know your speaker on a personal level. Who doesn’t love a gift card?
If you’re hosting a virtual speaker or simply want to make the whole gift-box assembly process easier, use a service like Tweak & Twine or BoxFox. These corporate gifting services offer gift basket assembly and delivery services to take the work off your hands.
Tweak & Twine is a great fit for large conferences or events, with a $5,000 gifting minimum.
BoxFox is better for one-off speaker gifts, with no order minimum and an easy, build-your-own-box experience.
It’s surprisingly fun to put together — you choose a box color, then browse high-quality items from brands like Le Creuset, Stasher, Sugarfina, and Rise With Apollo.
Digital & flexible gifts
4. Digital gift cards
Gift cards are always a hit simply because they give your speakers the freedom to choose what they actually want.
And while gift cards can take forever to arrive if you order them by mail, you really can’t go wrong with a digital gift card or prepaid debit card.
If you want a simple, no-stress speaker gift, send a Tremendous gift card. You don’t need to guess what they’ll like — Tremendous makes the gesture feel personal by letting your speaker choose from hundreds of options. On top of that, you can send digital gift cards to recipients in over 200 countries.
5. Wellness or experience gifts
Speaking at an event — whether on stage or over Zoom — takes time, energy, and preparation. A wellness or experience gift is a great way to help your guest speaker recharge after their session.
You don’t need to know them personally to make this type of gift feel thoughtful. Look for something that promotes rest, creativity, or exploration and that says “thank you for going above and beyond.”
Use this quick guide to experience and wellness-based gifts to help hone in on the ideal pick:
Spa or wellness day. Gift a massage, facial, or wellness retreat voucher through platforms like SpaFinder or ClassPass.
Local cooking class. A perfect gift for foodies.
Wine or coffee tasting experience. Offer a voucher for a local winery or roastery tour.
Museum or gallery membership. For culture lovers, a year-long pass to a local museum or botanical garden is a unique and appreciated gift.
Concert or theater tickets. If your speaker is based near a major city, offer gift cards for Ticketmaster, StubHub, or local theater venues.
Guided outdoor adventure. Active folks will appreciate rock climbing, kayaking, or guided hikes booked via Airbnb or REI Experiences.
Creative workshops. Pottery, painting, calligraphy, or photography workshops are easy to book locally or through online platforms like Uncommon Goods.
6. Streaming or entertainment services
If your speaker travels often or appreciates a good wind-down routine, a streaming or entertainment subscription can be a useful gift.
Consider covering a few months (or even a year) of a subscription to a service like Netflix, Apple Music, Spotify, Hulu, Max, or Audible.
It’s a simple way to offer something they’ll genuinely enjoy in their downtime, whether they’re catching up on shows, listening to music, or diving into audiobooks between events.
This gift works especially well if you’ve had some interaction with the speaker and have a sense of what they’re into. Maybe they mentioned a show they’re into or a podcast they’re currently obsessing over. Pay attention to those small details — picking up on them can make a gift like this feel especially thoughtful.
7. Charitable donations
For big-hearted speakers who value impact over material gifts, a charitable donation made in their name can be especially meaningful. It’s a great way to recognize their contribution while supporting a cause they care about.
With Tremendous, you can easily donate to a wide range of vetted charities around the world in just a few clicks. Whether it’s education, environmental efforts, global health, or local community support, your speaker can choose the organization that matters most to them.
It’s a simple, thoughtful option, especially when you want your appreciation to go even further.
Travel or event-related gifts
8. Airport lounge passes
Keep your guest speaker’s travel experience top of mind with an airport lounge pass. Travel can be draining, especially when it’s squeezed between speaking engagements. An airport lounge pass is a small luxury that makes a big difference.
Instead of dealing with crowded terminals or searching for a quiet spot to prep, your speaker can unwind in a lounge with fast Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, and a comfortable place to rest or get work done. Some lounges even offer showers or spa services, ideal for those long international or red-eye flights.
If you know the airline they’re flying, you may be able to buy a day pass directly. If not, services like Priority Pass offer access to 1,700+ lounges worldwide, regardless of airline or seat class.
An airport lounge pass can make travel a lot less hard on the body and soul, making it an ideal gift for any frequent flyer.
9. Travel credit
Gift cards to travel services or airlines like Airbnb or Delta are a hit with frequent flyers, and they show extra appreciation for those who traveled to speak at your event.
For speakers who prefer the open road, consider something like a gas card, toll credit, or even a National Parks pass. It’s a great way to support their next adventure.
Want to take it up a notch? Pair the gift card with a travel-themed box. Think snacks for the road, a reusable coffee mug, or other little comforts for the journey. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just thoughtful.
10. Dinner voucher
Give your guest speaker a taste of the local scene. A dinner voucher or restaurant gift card is a great way to show appreciation while helping them experience your city’s food culture. Who doesn’t love a great meal?
It’s best to go local with this one. A meal at a great neighborhood spot or even a buzzy, can’t-miss restaurant can turn a work trip into something more memorable. It’s also a nice way to support small businesses in your area.
If you want to go the extra mile, you could even make a reservation for them in advance, especially if the restaurant is hard to get into. It’s a small gesture that feels big, and is impossible to go unnoticed.
Speaker gift dos & don’ts
Before you run out and put together the perfect gift, keep this quick guide to gifting etiquette in mind:
✅ Do:
Send gifts right after the event, or within a week at the latest
Include a custom note for personalization, no matter the gift
Use flexible delivery options for remote or global speakers
Match the gift to the speaker’s role and contribution
❌ Don’t:
Over-brand everything (a subtle logo is thoughtful, but a giant logo is just promotional)
Forget to confirm addresses for a physical gift
Wait too long, because the longer you wait, the less impact your gift has
Finally, our bonus tip: let them choose.
Feeling overwhelmed by all of the options or still not entirely sure what your speaker would appreciate most? We’ve got you covered — send a Tremendous reward link. This elimiates all of the guesswork and they can choose their preferred donation, prepaid card, or gift from hundreds of brands.
You can personalize it with a note and deliver it however you like. Tremendous lets you generate a direct link to share by email, in-app, on your site, or even in a handwritten card.
