Every year, tens of thousands of companies--from industry giants to aspiring upstarts--apply to speak at conferences. They pump millions of dollars into these events, hoping to find new customers, strengthen their brand, and meet new partners. Sadly, for most of them, things don't go that way. Submitted topics aren't chosen; when they are, they come across as tone-deaf sales pitches. What does it take to be chosen to speak--and to rock the mic...