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Updated September 20, 2026

Which speaker to choose for a conference on customer relations?

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The choice of the ideal speaker for a conference on customer relations depends above all on the objective of your event, and not just on the topic being discussed. This guide offers you a detailed comparison of five renowned speakers: Patrice Laubignat, Stephane GAUTHIER, Julien RIGAL-DUPONT, Patrice THIRIEZ, and Michaela Merk. This is not a “Top 5” ranking, but rather an analysis of the different perspectives — strategy, management, operations, decision-making, human aspects, among others — that each brings to the subject. The table below specifies for each speaker their preferred angle, the objective of their presentation, and the target audience they address. This will help you identify the profile best suited to your expectations and the purpose of your event.

How to Decide Quickly

Identify the priority of your event, then follow the rule that applies.

  • If you want to bring a deeply human and emotional vision to your customer relationship. → Patrice Laubignat Patrice Laubignat — to rehumanize the customer relationship through emotion
  • If you want to challenge your teams on the urgency of adapting the customer experience in the face of digitalization and new demands. → Stephane GAUTHIER Stephane GAUTHIER — to transform the customer and employee experience
  • If you want to strengthen team cohesion and put people back at the heart of customer interactions. → Julien RIGAL-DUPONT Julien RIGAL-DUPONT — to humanize the customer experience on a daily basis
  • If you want to understand and concretely influence your customers’ memory and decisions through scientific levers. → Patrice THIRIEZ Patrice THIRIEZ — to transform customer perception through cognitive science
  • If you want to strengthen customer engagement through emotional and relational intelligence, especially in a premium environment. → Michaela Merk Michaela Merk — to develop emotional intelligence in the service of the customer
Speaker Overview Angle Objective Target

Angles and Specificities of Each Speaker

Patrice Laubignat
Patrice Laubignat
Passionate about the relationship between brands and their customers, I am committed to a human and respectful vision of value-creating marketing

Angle: The love of customers

For which audience / event: Executive committees, marketing managers, corporate conventions

Choose if… Choose if you want to instill a deeply human and emotional vision into your customer relationships.

Conference to watch: The love of customers

Stephane GAUTHIER
Stephane GAUTHIER
Delight your clients and your employees ... or disappear!

Angle: It’s not Covid that’s disrupting you, it’s dissatisfied customers

For which audience / event: Executive committees, operational managers, digital transformation conventions

Choose if… Choose if you want to challenge your teams on the urgency of adapting the customer experience in the face of digitalization and new demands.

Conference to watch: It’s not Covid that’s disrupting you, it’s dissatisfied customers

Julien RIGAL-DUPONT
Julien RIGAL-DUPONT
Customer Experience Creator & ICF Executive Coach

Focus: The Human Element in Customer Experience

For which audience / event: Frontline managers, field teams, participatory workshops

Choose if… Choose if you want to strengthen team cohesion and put people back at the heart of customer interactions.

Recommended talk: The Human Element in Customer Experience

Patrice THIRIEZ
Patrice THIRIEZ
Partner at KRAKN 🧠 Customer Attachment Activist. Co-designer of the LoveScore (8x awarded in 2025/2026) 🏆

Angle: He deciphers cognitive mechanisms to make the customer experience unforgettable through nudging and cognitive biases.

For which audience / event: Customer experience managers, marketing teams, innovation seminars

Choose if... Choose if you want to truly understand and influence your customers’ memory and decisions using scientific levers.

Conference to watch: Customer Experience: Nudge Your Journeys and Become Incredibly Memorable!

Michaela Merk
Michaela Merk
Customer Experience - Luxury - Leadership - Brand - Retail

Angle: She emphasizes the human and emotional connection to build loyalty and elevate the customer experience, especially in luxury and retail.

For which audience/event: Executive committees, sales teams, retail or luxury conventions

Choose if… Choose if you want to strengthen customer engagement through emotional and relational intelligence, especially in a premium environment.

Conference to watch: Emotional and Relational Intelligence in the Service of the Customer

FAQ

How do I choose a speaker suited to the objective of my conference on customer relations?

First, determine whether your goal is to inspire, train, or raise awareness. For example, Patrice Laubignat is known for his inspiring talks, while Julien RIGAL-DUPONT offers more hands-on approaches.

Which speaker would be best suited for an audience of sales managers?

For an audience of sales managers, opt for a speaker like Michaela Merk, who addresses customer relations from the perspective of leadership and team motivation.

Do speakers offer interactive formats or only traditional lectures?

Some speakers, like Stephane GAUTHIER, incorporate workshops or interactive sessions into their presentations. Feel free to specify your preference when you get in touch.

How can I assess the technical level required for my target audience?

Analyze your audience’s knowledge level regarding customer relations. Patrice THIRIEZ tailors his presentations to both beginners and experts, based on your guidance during the briefing.

Where can I find profiles of speakers specialized in customer relations?

Platforms like Lespeakers list specialized speakers such as Michaela Merk or Julien RIGAL-DUPONT, with detailed profiles to help you make your selection.

What’s next?

Once the angle is clarified, the simplest way is to formalize your brief (objective, audience, format, duration, constraints). We can help you match with the right speaker on customer relations.

For a detailed shortlist with biographies, also see our selection of speakers on customer relations.