Who are the best email deliverability speakers for an in-person event in NYC?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 6 Aug 2025
Updated 16 Aug 2025
6 min read
Finding the right email deliverability speaker for an in-person event, especially in a vibrant city like New York, requires a strategic approach. It is not just about their knowledge, but also their ability to engage a live audience, particularly retail email marketers who need practical, actionable insights. Many factors contribute to an effective presentation, from the speaker's background to their presenting style.
The ideal speaker should possess a deep understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of email deliverability, including topics such as sender reputation, inbox placement, and compliance with sender requirements from major mailbox providers. They should be able to articulate complex technical concepts in an accessible way for marketers, translating technical jargon into business value.
When considering speakers for an event in New York City, local expertise or a willingness to travel are key practical considerations. The goal is to provide your audience with fresh perspectives and actionable strategies to improve their email program's performance, ensuring their messages consistently reach the inbox.
Identifying key speakers and resources
The first step in securing a top-tier deliverability speaker is to identify individuals with a proven track record in the field. This typically includes veterans of email service providers (ESPs), postmasters from major internet service providers (ISPs), or independent consultants who have worked with a diverse range of clients. Look for those who actively contribute to industry discussions, perhaps through publications or prominent roles in industry associations.
Industry events and conferences are excellent venues to discover potential speakers. Conferences focused on email marketing or digital marketing often feature dedicated tracks or sessions on deliverability. Speakers at events like MailCon or DigiMarCon are usually vetted and bring a wealth of experience. You can review past speaker lists and their presentation topics to gauge their relevance to your event's focus on retail email marketers.
Additionally, professional organizations and communities dedicated to email marketing and deliverability are invaluable resources. Groups such as Women of Email often maintain speaker bureaus or can provide recommendations. These networks are rich with individuals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and insights. You might also consider exploring recommended email deliverability consultants, as many offer speaking engagements.
Considering location and audience
For an in-person event in NYC, a speaker's location can significantly impact logistics and budget. While a US-based speaker is preferred, considering someone local to the New York area or who travels frequently to NYC can streamline arrangements. This also allows for potential pre-event meetings or deeper engagement with your local community.
When assessing potential speakers, it's crucial to understand their experience with live audiences, especially retail marketers. A speaker might be a deliverability guru, but if they cannot connect with the audience, the impact will be limited. Look for videos of past presentations or request references from previous event organizers to evaluate their presentation style and audience engagement. Their ability to simplify complex topics like DMARC, SPF, and DKIM for a non-technical crowd is a strong indicator of their suitability.
Consider speakers who can bring real-world case studies and actionable takeaways specific to retail email. This could involve discussing strategies for managing large subscriber lists, optimizing sending infrastructure, or navigating evolving mailbox provider policies. A speaker who understands the unique challenges and opportunities in retail email will resonate more deeply with your attendees.
Identifying suitability
Relevance: Does their expertise align with your audience's needs, particularly retail email marketers?
Engagement: Do they have a dynamic presentation style that will keep attendees interested?
Experience: Have they spoken at similar events or to similar audiences before?
Logistics: Are they available for an October event in NYC and willing to travel?
Crafting a compelling topic for retail marketers
An effective deliverability speaker for retail marketers should focus on topics that directly impact their day-to-day operations and bottom line. This includes discussions around current best practices, how to interpret and act on deliverability metrics, and staying ahead of changes from mailbox providers. Understanding common email deliverability issues is a strong starting point.
Potential keynote or session topics could range from technical deep dives on authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to strategic discussions on list hygiene and engagement. For retail marketers, understanding how email content, sending volume, and frequency affect their domain reputation is critical. Speakers who can provide insights on avoiding blocklists (or blacklists) and recovering from deliverability setbacks are particularly valuable.
A good speaker should also be able to address emerging trends, such as the increasing importance of BIMI, or new sender requirements from major providers. Practical examples, case studies, and Q&A sessions can make the presentation highly impactful. The goal is to equip attendees with actionable strategies to maintain high inbox placement rates for their marketing campaigns.
Audience pain points
Blocked emails: Messages consistently landing in spam or being rejected by ISPs.
Low open rates: Despite good content, emails aren't reaching the primary inbox.
Brand reputation: Negative impact on brand due to deliverability issues.
Key metrics to address
Inbox placement rate: The percentage of emails that arrive in the inbox.
Spam complaint rate: How often recipients mark emails as spam.
Bounce rate: The percentage of emails that could not be delivered.
Desired outcomes
Increased ROI: Better deliverability leads to higher engagement and conversions.
Improved sender reputation: Trust from ISPs and recipients means fewer emails in spam folders.
Actionable strategies: Attendees leave with clear steps to optimize their email programs.
Example topics
Authentication standards: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email security.
List hygiene best practices: Identifying and removing inactive or invalid addresses.
Engagement metrics: Understanding clicks, opens, and unsubscribes.
Practical arrangements and engagement
Before finalizing a speaker, establish clear expectations regarding the presentation format, duration, and key takeaways. Providing them with a detailed brief about your audience (retail email marketers), event goals, and specific topics of interest will help them tailor their content for maximum impact. This ensures the presentation is relevant and valuable to your attendees.
Logistically, clarify travel arrangements, accommodation, and any technical requirements for their presentation. Confirming their availability well in advance, especially for a specific date like October in NYC, is crucial. A speaker who is easy to work with and communicative throughout the planning process can significantly reduce stress and contribute to a smoother event experience. Remember that event ideas for email deliverability can go beyond just presentations to include interactive sessions.
Lastly, consider the speaker's ability to drive audience interaction. A dynamic Q&A session or an interactive element in their presentation can significantly enhance the learning experience for your attendees. Feedback from previous events, especially on speaker engagement and content quality, can be a valuable indicator.
Aspect
Speaker's role
Event organizer's responsibility
Content alignment
Tailors presentation to retail marketing audience needs.
Provides clear brief, audience demographics, and event goals.
Engagement
Encourages interaction, Q&A, and provides actionable insights.
Facilitates Q&A, prepares audience with relevant questions.
Logistics
Communicates travel needs and technical requirements.
Manages bookings, provides tech setup, and offers support.
Ensuring a successful presentation
Securing the right email deliverability speaker for your in-person event in NYC is a significant investment in the success of your retail email marketing efforts. By focusing on experience, relevance to your audience, and a speaker’s ability to engage, you can ensure a memorable and valuable experience for your attendees. The right insights can profoundly impact inbox placement, ultimately boosting the effectiveness of your email campaigns.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Ensure the speaker's content is tailored to your audience, especially retail email marketers, focusing on actionable insights.
Look for speakers who have a strong reputation within the email deliverability community and regularly contribute to industry discussions.
Verify their experience with in-person events and their ability to engage a live audience effectively.
Confirm all logistical details, including travel, accommodation, and technical requirements, well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
Common pitfalls
Choosing a speaker with deep technical knowledge but lacking the ability to simplify complex topics for a marketing audience.
Not considering the speaker's availability for an in-person event in NYC, leading to last-minute cancellations.
Failing to provide a detailed brief to the speaker, resulting in generic content that does not fully address audience needs.
Overlooking the importance of audience interaction, leading to a less engaging and impactful presentation.
Expert tips
Consider a speaker who can share real-world case studies and examples specific to the retail industry, making the content more relatable.
Utilize industry networks and speaker bureaus to find well-vetted professionals with proven speaking experience.
Request recordings of past presentations to assess their speaking style and how they engage with an audience.
Prioritize speakers who can discuss both technical aspects and the business impact of email deliverability.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says considering a speaker's travel restrictions between countries is important when planning an in-person event.
2021-07-27 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says they are not comfortable with international travel commitments and already have an engagement in October, which might affect their availability.
