Refers to a person who delivers a formal speech or address, such as at a ceremony, rally, or lecture.
The speaker delivered an impassioned speech to the audience.
講演者 is a 'lecturer' or 'speaker' at an academic or educational event, whereas 演説者 is broader and can include political or ceremonial speeches.
Compound of 演説 (speech, address) + 者 (person). The word follows a common Sino-Japanese pattern for agent nouns.