What is the term for the fee paid to a guest speaker for their attendance and participation?

The term "honorarium" specifically refers to a payment given to a guest speaker or a participant as a gesture of appreciation for their contributions, time, and expertise, especially when there is no formal contract or required payment involved. This fee compensates the speaker for their travel expenses, preparation time, and sharing of knowledge.

In the context of event planning, an honorarium is often used when inviting speakers to engage audiences, as it acknowledges their value without establishing an employee-employer relationship.

While a stipend typically suggests a fixed sum paid regularly for services or support, it usually implies ongoing work or assistance, which does not align with the nature of one-time speaker engagements. A salary denotes a regular payment for employment, which is also different from the one-off nature of an honorarium. Finally, a consultation fee is specific to expert advice and services, which might not apply in cases where a speaker is presenting rather than consulting on a specific issue. Thus, the appropriate term for the fee paid to a guest speaker is honorarium.