Keynote Speaker Booking Toolkit May. 2016 | Page 5

Working%with%a%Speakers%Bureau% The speakers bureau’s job is to know where and how to find the right speaker for your event, to provide review materials, schedule conference calls, take care of contracting, book speaker travel, assist with programming and facilitate logistics. also book speakers they don’t represent directly. Bureaus smooth the process for securing event talent by saving you time and complications dealing with speaker logistics. Speakers Bureaus work with hundreds of speakers over the course of many years and can give you inside knowledge about a speaker – anything from how they performed for their last client to new program content. Bureaus act as partners for researching speakers and finding the perfect match for your event. They can assist with determining the appropriate mix of content, personality and entertainment for the presentation. Speakers bureaus represent their own roster of speakers (ranging from local business experts to * worldwide celebrities), but can Bureaus vet speakers and only work with professionals who are seasoned experts and have demonstrated excellent speaking skills, professionalism and expertise in the topic of your event. Bureaus can also find a replacement speaker quickly if your booked speaker backs out for any reason. Bureau Booking Process First, bureaus will ask you about the goals and objectives for your event and about your organization. During the interview, a bureau agent will listen to your program needs and assess what type of speaker would fit your program objectives and budget. They might ask if your organization is downsizing; experiencing tremendous change and growth or slow sales; whether your leadership needs a boost; or if you are interested in sparking a culture of innovation. Next, your bureau agent will research the large pool of available speakers to develop a short list of the top candidates for your event. (continued on the next page…)