Education Template
Free Guest Speaker Agreement Template
A guest speaker agreement covers honorarium, topic, and logistics for speaking engagements.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# Guest Speaker Agreement
**Speaker:** {{speakerName}}
**Organisation:** {{orgName}}
**Event:** {{eventDescription}}
**Date:** {{eventDate}}
## Topic
{{topic}}
## Duration
{{duration}}
## Honorarium
{{honorarium}}
## Expenses
{{expensesCovered}}
## Recording
{{recordingPermission}}
## Cancellation
{{cancellationTerms}}Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
A guest speaker agreement covers the terms for inviting an external speaker to present at an event, lecture, conference, or workshop. It protects both the speaker and the organiser by defining expectations around content, compensation, and logistics.
Why speaker agreements matter: Without a written agreement, disputes arise over honorarium amounts, expense reimbursement, recording rights, and cancellation terms. Professional speakers especially expect clear contracts, and even unpaid speakers benefit from documented expectations.
Key clauses: 1. Topic and content — Agreed presentation topic, format (keynote, panel, workshop), and any content restrictions. Whether the organiser has approval rights over the content. 2. Duration — Presentation length, Q&A time, and any additional commitments (meet and greet, book signing, press interviews). 3. Honorarium — Fee for the speaking engagement. Whether this is all-inclusive or separate from expenses. Payment terms and timeline. 4. Expenses — Travel, accommodation, meals, and incidentals. Whether the organiser books directly or reimburses the speaker. Per diem rates, travel class (economy vs business), and receipt requirements. 5. Recording and distribution — Can the session be recorded? Video, audio, or both? Who owns the recording? Can it be distributed online, used for marketing, or sold? This is often the most negotiated clause. 6. Materials — Will the speaker provide slides, handouts, or other materials? Who owns the copyright? Can attendees share or redistribute them? 7. Cancellation — What happens if either party cancels. Speaker cancellation: is the honorarium forfeited? Organiser cancellation: is the speaker entitled to a kill fee (typically 50-100% depending on notice period)? 8. Liability — The speaker's liability for content accuracy. Whether the organiser provides insurance coverage for the speaker during the event. 9. Exclusivity — Can the speaker present the same content at competing events within a specified timeframe or geographic area?
Frequently asked questions
Should guest speakers have a written agreement?
Yes. Even for unpaid speaking engagements, a written agreement clarifies expectations around topic, duration, recording rights, expenses, and cancellation terms. For paid engagements, a contract is essential for protecting both the speaker and the organiser.
Who owns the recording of a guest speaker's presentation?
It depends on the agreement. By default, the speaker typically retains rights to their content. The agreement should specify whether recording is permitted, who owns the recording, and how it may be distributed. This is often the most negotiated clause in speaker agreements.
Can guest speaker agreements be signed electronically?
Yes. Speaker agreements are valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). E-signing is practical for speakers who are often in different locations from the event organiser.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.