Swindon & Wiltshire News
International demand grows for generational communication expert
A generational communication expert based on the Wiltshire / Berkshire border is preparing for speaking engagements in Barcelona and Toronto, following a busy year which has seen him take to stages across the world.
Alastair Greener, a keynote speaker and author, has been invited to speak at IBTM in Barcelona this November, followed by the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers conference in Toronto in December.
The invitations come shortly after Alastair completed his year as President of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA) UK & Ireland, which concluded with a two-day Speaking Business Summit in Oxford that he organised and spoke at.
Having already represented the PSA in Australia and delivered keynote presentations in Morocco and France, Alastair says international speaking combines his passion for travel with his work helping people communicate more effectively across generations.
“International speaking brings together two things I love, travel and helping people communicate better across generations,” said Alastair. “My background in travel has given me a lasting curiosity about people and places, and I still love meeting audiences around the world.
“Every engagement is an opportunity to share my expertise and learn something myself.”
In Toronto, Alastair will deliver a session titled Are You Delivering a Keynote or an Experience?, exploring how speakers can make their presentations more engaging, interactive and memorable.
The invitation came as a result of his understanding of what attracts different generations to events, alongside his background in entertainment, presenting and professional speaking.
“If we want people to make the effort to attend an event, we need to think carefully about what being in the room gives them,” said Alastair. “What can they contribute, experience and take away that they couldn’t get from simply watching a recording?
“We often hear that younger audiences want experiences and opportunities to participate, but those things can appeal across generations. The challenge is to understand the people in front of us, rather than assume their age tells us everything we need to know.”
Alastair will encourage fellow speakers to consider how they involve their audiences, whether through shared demonstrations, conversations or activities that help make their message more memorable.
“Interaction should have a purpose. It needs to help the message land, rather than simply fill a few minutes,” he said.
His international speaking schedule will continue into 2027, with a further engagement planned in Kuwait next April.
Alastair believes speaking to audiences in different countries also requires an understanding of how culture, history and social changes influence generational experiences.
“We can’t simply take our understanding of generations in the UK and apply it everywhere else,” said Alastair. “Different histories, cultures and social changes shape people’s experiences, which is another reason to approach audiences with curiosity rather than assumptions.
“Part of my preparation for Kuwait will be exploring the generational nuances of that country.”
Alastair is a keynote speaker, author and former President of the Professional Speaking Association UK & Ireland.
His book, Generationally Speaking: How to Bridge the Generation Gap and Communicate with Confidence, explores how different generations can communicate more effectively, while his podcast of the same name features conversations with guests from around the world.
