I just joined my local quilt quild this year, but on their web site, they have their newsletters going back several years. You could read that (
http://www.lincolnquiltersguild.org/...wsletters.html) and other guilds, for ideas on speakers.
Also, internet search for quilt teachers or speakers. And find a book you like, and search to see if that person is a speaker.
I know some of the speakers try to get other guilds in the area around the same time, so the cost it spread out a little.
The speakers most of the time offer a class (half or whole day) besides the presentation that they give to the guild. There is a cost for the class. The speaker sets up the cost, and tells the needed supplies to be brought.
We have a monthly show and tell of members latest projects. This is always inspiring (as well as a little intimidating). Everyone shows their projects and gets lots of ooohs and aaahs no matter how small the project or how beginner the quilter may be.
We do a block exchange using a pattern given out where for each block turned in, your name is put in a pot and at the end of the months allowed, several names are drawn to receive 5-6 blocks with which they can create the whole quilt.
I think they also do a nesting robin type challenge quilt, this year they did a house block as the center, then had to add certain borders each month. It was interesting to see the different quilts that had used the same basic instructions, and how different they were.
We have discussed some of our members doing mini-demos before the regular meeting begins.