TSG Speakers Bureau Reference Guide: Speakers Bureau

What does a speakers bureau do? What are the benefits of working with a speakers bureau? Speakers bureaus are relatively unknown entities outside the meetings industry, but to meeting professionals, a speakers bureau partner can be an invaluable resource. This installment of The Speakers Group speakers bureau's reference guide provides some helpful information for those seeking more information about speakers bureaus. 

What is a speakers bureau?

A speakers bureau maintains relationships with numerous speakers on a variety of topics, in a variety of fee ranges, providing meeting professionals access to thousands of speakers with just one contact. Speakers bureaus are constantly evaluating speakers -- including reviewing materials and checking references -- in order to be able to recommend the perfect speaker solutions for a planner's unique program objectives. Speakers bureaus are capable of offering expert advice to event planners and helping them through the speaker booking process. This begins with providing the necessary materials for reviewing speaker candidates and continues through to the issuing of contracts and invoices, to coordinating advance details of the speaker engagement, to evaluating the speaker's performance after the event.

Meeting professionals most frequently call on professional speakers bureau organizations to support their event planning efforts. Doing so allows a planner to free up precious time for handling other critical aspects of a meeting or special event. There are over 100 speakers bureau members of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus representing several different keynote speaker categories including business, celebrities, motivation, sales and others.

What is the benefit of working with a speakers bureau?

Speakers bureaus serve meeting and event planners by listening to their program objectives and responding with expert information and suggestions about relevant speakers and entertainers. Speakers bureaus are paid a commission on bookings by speakers, meaning their helpful service is available at no charge to planners.

A speakers bureau maintains relationships with numerous speakers on a variety of topics, in a variety of fee ranges, providing meeting professionals access to thousands of speakers with just one contact. Speakers bureaus are constantly evaluating speakers -- including reviewing materials and checking references -- in order to be able to recommend the perfect speaker solutions for a planner's unique program objectives. Speakers bureaus are capable of offering expert advice to event planners and helping them through the speaker booking process. This begins with providing the necessary materials for reviewing speaker candidates and continues through to the issuing of contracts and invoices, to coordinating advance details of the speaker engagement, to evaluating the speaker's performance after the event.

Are all speakers available through all speakers bureaus?

Except in a handful of special circumstances, all speakers are available through all speakers bureaus. Some speakers bureaus may specialize in certain categories of speakers, or may focus on speakers within a specific fee range, but for the most part, meeting professionals have the freedom to choose their speakers bureau partner without regard for speaker roster or even price -- since speaker fees are set by the speakers and remain consistent from bureau to bureau.

It is common for IASB member speakers bureaus to work together, providing meeting professionals easy access to virtually any speaker in any market with just one phone call. This networking power provides meeting planners with a unique advantage: they can work with one speakers bureau of their choice and still have access to most every speaker on the circuit.

Since the available speakers are much the same from one speakers bureau to another, a meeting professional can choose his or her bureau partner based simply on personal preference. The most important thing for a planner is to find a partner that is reliable and trustworthy, who understands the planner's objectives, and with whom the planner has a good rapport. This makes the speaker booking process both effective and enjoyable.

How can I utilize a speakers bureau in my event planning efforts?

The Speakers Group speakers bureau has made it easy for planners to get started booking a speaker in their speaker selection process, offering four choices depending on a planner's unique needs and preferences -- one of which is to give us a call at (615) 526-6600. We'll be happy to be of service.