1) To that speaking slots are allocated socially, that (correctly) suggests that one should network if one wants to get more speaking gigs. 2) It is wildly not

1) To that speaking slots are allocated socially, that (correctly) suggests that one should network if one wants to get more speaking gigs. 2) It is wildly not the case that all speaking gigs begin with having an in with the organizers, just like it is wildly not the case that all jobs or contracts are awarded to nephews. Pitching is an art. Doing it well will raise your hit rate. Failing to do it at all, while either waiting for the world to recognize your genius or bemoaning the unfairness of it all, is an incredibly effective method to not get speaking gigs.