Amplify Speakers
Keynote Speakers in Kona
Kona is the meeting side of Hawaii Island. The town of Kailua-Kona and the resorts along the Kohala Coast to the north host incentive trips, executive retreats, association meetings and family business gatherings, with the airport close enough that most groups are at their resort within the hour.
The island itself gives a keynote plenty to work with. Lava fields, working coffee farms, a world-famous triathlon and the observatories on Maunakea all sit within reach, and groups often come away talking about endurance, curiosity and scale as much as the beach.
Kona audiences are usually visiting groups who want to be inspired and then get outside. A strong, story-led morning session with practical takeaways tends to land better than a long day indoors.
Top Keynote Speakers in Kona
Strong choices for Kona events on the Amplify roster lean into endurance and achievement, which suits an island known for its triathlon. Ultra-endurance athlete Mandy Gill, author of Reset with Resilience, world-record ultramarathoner Brady McDonald, who ran a 50K in all 50 states in 50 days, and Olympian Johnny Quinn all bring stories that fit the setting. For resort and hospitality groups, Ryan Minton and Jim Knight know frontline service from the inside, and Joel Zeff can host a multi-day program. Science and technology groups connect with Jon Krohn, bestselling author of Deep Learning Illustrated.
The closest speakers on the roster live in California, including Cameron Mofid, the youngest person to visit all 195 countries, and Erin Stafford, author of The Type A Trap, both in San Diego, plus Mel Abraham in Dana Point and Barb Betts in Long Beach for financial and real estate incentive groups. There is no fee to event planners for booking through us.
Speakers Who Work This Market
Closest on the Roster: Based in California
Where Kona Events Happen
The Kohala Coast resorts, including the Waikoloa, Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea resort areas, carry most of the group business, with ballrooms, lawns and oceanfront spaces built for incentive and executive programs.
Kailua-Kona town offers smaller hotels, restaurants and meeting rooms for local business events and groups that want to be close to the harbor.
Keauhou, south of town, adds resort and conference space with a quieter feel.
Waimea and the upcountry suit small retreats and board meetings that want cooler air and ranch country views.
The Industries That Shape the Room
Incentive travel and corporate retreats. Sales teams, financial services firms and leadership groups bring their people here to celebrate and plan. See our corporate retreat speakers.
Hospitality and tourism. Resorts, tours and restaurants employ much of the local workforce, with service quality and staffing always in focus. See our hospitality speakers.
Agriculture. Kona coffee and diversified farming are a real part of the economy and of local pride. See our agriculture speakers.
Science and energy. Astronomy on Maunakea and ocean and energy research along the coast give the island a technical community of its own.
Plan for distance and time
Hawaii Island is big, and driving from Kona to Hilo takes well over an hour. Keep the program near the resort, bring mainland speakers in a day early, and confirm the time offset in writing, since Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who are the best keynote speakers in Kona?
It depends on the group. Strong choices for Kona events on the Amplify roster include Mandy Gill, Brady McDonald and Johnny Quinn for endurance and achievement themes, Ryan Minton and Jim Knight for hospitality audiences, Joel Zeff as emcee and Jon Krohn for science and technology groups.
Are there keynote speakers based near Kona?
No Amplify speakers live in Hawaii. The closest are in California, including Cameron Mofid and Erin Stafford in San Diego, Mel Abraham in Dana Point, Barb Betts in Long Beach and Kelly Cardenas in Carlsbad.
How far in advance should we book a speaker for a Kona event?
Six months or more for resort programs, so the speaker, group space and flights can all be secured together.
Is Kona a good choice for an incentive trip?
Yes. The Kohala Coast resorts are built for group programs, and the island offers memorable activities that pair well with a morning keynote.
Which airport should speakers use?
The Kona airport on the west side of the island, which is closest to the Kohala Coast resorts. Hilo is on the far side of the island.
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Browse Kona Speakers by Topic
Every topic below is available in Kona. Virtually the entire Amplify roster travels, so where a speaker lives rarely limits who you can book. Pick the subject your audience needs and we’ll send a shortlist, usually within one business day.
By Topic
By Industry & Event Type
Incentive group, retreat or island conference?
Tell us the resort, the group and the dates. We will shortlist speakers whose stories fit the island and the purpose of the trip.