The In Conversation format gives Australian audiences access to the person behind the story in a way a prepared keynote never quite allows.
The In Conversation format has become one of the most requested event formats for Australian corporate audiences. Not because it is easier to produce than a keynote, but because it does something different. It creates proximity. The audience feels closer to the Speaker, the questions are specific to the moment, and the conversation develops in directions that a prepared address never would.
Saxton works with Australian organisations to design and execute In Conversation sessions. Our roster spans politics, business, innovation, sport, lifestyle and advocacy — people with significant stories who are most compelling when they are in genuine dialogue rather than delivering a prepared monologue. The facilitator is as important as the Speaker. A weak facilitator produces a polite exchange; a strong one produces a conversation the audience talks about afterwards. Saxton's consultants can recommend facilitators with the experience and credibility to hold their own in conversation with an exceptionally accomplished guest.
The format is flexible. A one-on-one fireside chat with a former Prime Minister. A structured panel with three industry leaders and an expert moderator. A live Q&A session from the floor following a keynote. An In Conversation session with an author exploring the ideas in their most recent work. All of these sit within the In Conversation category, and all of them work best when the facilitator has prepared deeply and the guest has been thoroughly briefed.
The format performs particularly well at leadership forums, industry summits, executive briefings and association events where the audience is senior and experienced. Senior leaders respond to In Conversation because they recognise it as genuine — responsive, unscripted and specific to the moment. It is also a strong format for Politics and Advocacy Speakers, where the question and the answer can go places that a prepared statement would not.
For events that need a traditional keynote address, browse our full Keynote Speakers roster. For events that need professional hosting and facilitation across the entire program, our MCs are experienced across both traditional hosting and structured interview formats. Many of Saxton's Business Speakers and Motivational Speakers work particularly well in an In Conversation format — contact our team if you have a Speaker in mind and want to discuss the best format for their session.
What is an In Conversation format at a corporate event, and how is it different from a keynote?
An In Conversation session is a structured but unscripted interview or dialogue between a facilitator and a guest speaker, or between multiple guests. Unlike a keynote, the content is not pre-prepared — it unfolds in response to questions and the audience's energy. The format produces a different quality of insight: candid, specific and often more revealing than a polished address. The best In Conversation sessions feel more like a privileged conversation than a presentation, which is exactly what makes them effective.
What types of events and audiences benefit most from an In Conversation format?
Leadership forums, executive briefings, industry summits, association events and smaller corporate gatherings with senior audiences are where In Conversation performs best. The format rewards curious, engaged audiences who are willing to listen carefully and who appreciate nuance over polish. It is particularly strong for events where the Speaker has a significant story that deserves more than a prepared summary — and for events where the organiser wants the audience to feel genuinely close to the person on stage.
What does an In Conversation format deliver that a traditional keynote does not?
In Conversation produces candour. When a guest is asked a specific question in real time by a skilled facilitator, they often share something they would never include in a prepared speech — a moment of doubt, a decision they got wrong, or a conviction they hold privately. That quality of content stays with audiences long after a polished keynote fades. For event organisers, the format also provides flexibility: the session can go wherever the most interesting conversation leads, rather than being constrained by a prepared script.
Can In Conversation sessions run effectively in a virtual or hybrid format?
Yes — and the format often translates well to virtual settings because the dialogue structure sustains engagement more effectively than a long prepared address on screen. Several of Saxton's most requested In Conversation pairings have delivered to fully virtual Australian audiences with strong results. The key factors are a facilitator experienced in virtual formats and a technically smooth setup that allows both participants and the audience to feel part of the same exchange. Saxton's consultants can advise on setup and format.
How does booking an In Conversation session through Saxton work?
Booking begins with a brief on your audience, event theme and the kind of guest you have in mind — or an open conversation about which voices would suit the brief. Saxton's consultants can recommend both the guest and the facilitator, or work with a facilitator you already have in place. We handle contracting for all parties, coordinate the pre-event briefing between facilitator and guest, and ensure both are properly prepared for the session. Fees cover the guest Speaker and, where applicable, a separate facilitator fee.
Why use Saxton to produce an In Conversation session rather than organising it independently?
The quality of an In Conversation session depends entirely on the match between guest and facilitator, and on the depth of preparation beforehand. Saxton's consultants have produced these sessions across thousands of Australian events and know which combinations produce the strongest results. We also manage the pre-event briefing between facilitator and guest — which is the single most important factor in how well a session goes. Without that preparation, the best guests can give a mediocre session; with it, the results are consistently strong.
Does an In Conversation session need a separate facilitator, or can the Speaker manage their own session?
A Speaker cannot effectively facilitate their own In Conversation session — the format requires a second party to ask the questions, manage the pacing and create the conditions for candid answers. The facilitator is a distinct role from the guest, and their quality matters as much as the guest's. Some events use their MC as the facilitator; others engage a specialist. Saxton can recommend dedicated facilitators for In Conversation sessions, or advise on whether your MC has the profile to carry the conversation with a particular guest.
