# What is “Keynote”?

A keynote is the principal address of a conference, delivered by a headline speaker or chief guest, which sets the theme and often opens the programme.

Also called: keynote address, keynote speaker

SSociana team·19 Oct 2026·2 min read

## Keynote in detail

The keynote carries a conference's message and, usually, its biggest audience. For organisers the questions are practical: who is the speaker, what is the protocol, how long does the slot run and how does the audience take part. Sociana covers these through speaker and dignitary profiles, the agenda entry with its Live badge, and venue-screen polls or a word cloud so the audience can respond. When the speaker is a government or defence dignitary, protocol rules matter; liaison officer contacts and group-scoped notices help staff coordinate. AI session summaries, organiser-approved, can turn the talk into a readable recap for those who could not attend. Keep the keynote interactive but short: one poll, one question wall, one feedback prompt afterwards. Session feedback, tied to the speaker, lets the organiser decide who to invite back. Do not promise live transcription or translation unless it has been scoped.

## How Sociana uses it

Keynotes appear in the agenda with speaker profiles; polls, word clouds and feedback attach to the session, and AI summaries are organiser-approved.

## Example

A government workshop app gave delegates a Protocol Guide, cab and liaison officer details, so dignitary sessions ran with clear contacts.

[Read the case study: SAREX-26](https://sociana.in/case-studies/sarex-26/)

[Speakers, artists, committee & dignitariesWhere this term lives in the Sociana app.See how it works](https://sociana.in/features/speakers-and-dignitaries/)

## Questions

Can the audience respond during a keynote?

Yes, through a no-login poll or word cloud that the organiser switches on and shows on the venue screen. Sociana covers these through speaker and dignitary profiles, the agenda entry with its Live badge, and venue-screen polls or a word cloud so the audience can respond.

Does Sociana summarise keynotes?

It offers organiser-approved AI session summaries. Nothing publishes without the organiser's approval. Keynotes appear in the agenda with speaker profiles; polls, word clouds and feedback attach to the session, and AI summaries are organiser-approved. AI session summaries, organiser-approved, can turn the talk into a readable recap for those who could not attend.

How is speaker feedback captured?

A feedback form unlocks after the session, so ratings are tied to that speaker's slot. Session feedback, tied to the speaker, lets the organiser decide who to invite back. For organisers the questions are practical: who is the speaker, what is the protocol, how long does the slot run and how does the audience take part.

## Keep reading

[Speakers, artists, committee & dignitaries](https://sociana.in/features/speakers-and-dignitaries/)[Organiser-approved AI session summaries](https://sociana.in/features/ai-session-summaries/)[Conferences & summits](https://sociana.in/event-types/conferences/)[Government & defence workshops](https://sociana.in/event-types/government-workshops/)[Plenary session](https://sociana.in/glossary/plenary-session/)[AI session summary](https://sociana.in/glossary/ai-session-summary/)[Session feedback](https://sociana.in/glossary/session-feedback/)

[Back to Glossary](https://sociana.in/glossary/)

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Canonical: https://sociana.in/glossary/keynote/
Publisher: Sociana by Alien Brains Private Limited (https://sociana.in/)