Here's our pick of the top ten conference speakers for 2012

Right now, everyone around you is probably only focusing on one thing: the countdown to Christmas and the summer holidays. The planning for any Christmas parties and other corporate events for 2011 has all been done and now all that remains is for them to take place.

However, if it's your responsibility to come up with a fabulous entertainer, keynote speaker, MC or facilitator for your company's event next year, you'll need to start thinking very soon about who you could get. In fact, the sooner you start planning, the better your chances of success - getting who you want, when you want.

The most inspirational, most entertaining, most thought provoking and most engaging personalities in Business, Media, Politics, Education, Sport and Entertainment - from Australia and around the world - are always in demand. Some of them may be booked up several months in advance, while others, particularly overseas speakers, may have limited availability while they're visiting Australia.

However, you can avoid undue pressure and last-minute disappointment by booking your MC, speaker or entertainment now. At the very least, you should start your enquiries now and compile a shortlist of favourites for consideration as soon as possible.

It costs nothing to contact a speaker's bureau for advise and they are sure to have some great ideas to help make your event memorable for all the right reasons. Their consultants are kept up to date on who is available, who is receiving great feedback, who's new and who would be perfect for your particular event. They know who is already familiar with your industry or perhaps who would provide a breath of fresh air. Talk to them, they have a wealth of knowledge and can save you a great deal of time and worry.

In the meantime, to get you started, here are 10 brilliant speakers for you to consider, depending on your particular requirements. Each one is a superb speakers or entertainer and proven crowd-pleaser

1. John Cleese - Comedy legend, award-winning actor, author
2. The Hon. Tim Fischer - Former Deputy Prime Minister
3. Kurt Fearnley - Inspiring World Champion wheelchair racer
4. Anh Do - Comedian, MC and 'The Happiest Refugee'
5. Todd Sampson - The Gruen Transfer - creativity and innovation
6. John Anderson - Founder, Contiki Tours - leadership in business
7. Steven Bradbury - Australia's 1st Winter Olympic gold medallist
8. Philip Hesketh - Building loyalty through excellent customer service
9. Jacqui Cooper - Five-time Olympian, aerial skier
10. Robyn Williams - Beyond Science into the Future