How can I connect with a speaker?
Most of our speakers are open to hearing from attendees who've engaged with their session. Here are the most useful ways to do that.
Start with the session page
Each speaker provides their own contact details and links directly on their session page. This usually includes social media, their website, and sometimes a newsletter or other place they prefer people to reach them. Some speakers also include offers or resources specifically for summit attendees, so it's worth scanning the page before you reach out.
Reach out where they prefer to be contacted
Speakers manage their own availability and communication. Always use the channels they've listed on their session page rather than tracking them down elsewhere. Following them on social media, joining their newsletter, or sending a direct message through their preferred platform is usually the right starting point.
Make the message worth opening
When you do reach out, a few things help:
- Reference something specific from their session. It shows you actually engaged with the work.
- Be clear about why you're getting in touch and what you're hoping for, whether that's a question, a follow-up, or a collaboration.
- Mention you're a Futureative summit attendee. It gives them context for the connection.
- Keep the first message short. Speakers receive a lot of incoming messages around summits.
A note on response times
Speakers connect with attendees in their own time and on their own terms. Some will respond quickly, others may take longer or not at all, particularly if the message volume is high. That's their call to make; we don't manage speaker correspondence on their behalf.
During the live week
You can also engage with speakers in real time through session chat and Q&A. Submitting a thoughtful question during a session is often the most direct way to get something specific addressed, and it's a low-friction way to be noticed.