I think Jamie’s hit on the critical issue here, the systems thinking level conversation: is the mental model for what people want/need/expect out of an annual meeting shifting, in what ways, and if so, what implications does it have for the programming and learning experience offered?

For myself, if we are going to have general sessions with a sage on the stage, I want to hear from people who will significantly shift the way I think about the work I do because that shift will have significant residual value for a very long period of time. I find such a speaker more inspiring than a speaker who might alone be designated an inspirational keynoter.