Event Managers

What Event Managers expect from a Motivational Speaker:

1. For you to "WOW" the audience
   Your role is to move the audience. This can be accomplished in a number of ways: through a visually dazzling performance or an insightful presentation that gives new meaning and clarity to a topic.
   
   A recent trend in the meetings industry is to carefully measure ROI (return on investment) from meetings. The MPI (Meeting Professionals International) strongly recommend the meeting industry to carefully measure ROI return on investment from meetings. Speakers should be aware that event managers will use more evaluation forms and other tools in determining whether they will rebook you. Event managers know that what happens on the platform is crucial to the success of the event.
2. Absolute reliability
   Once you are booked, event managers need to count on the fact that you will arrive as scheduled. Book your travel so that you have backup options in case a flight is cancelled or there is bad weather along your route. Arrive early, be prepared, and make immediate contact with the event manager. Have a contingency backup plan for travel, A/V, or anything else crucial to success.
3. Make the event manager look good
   The best way for a speaker to make the event manager look good, of course, is to do a terrific job on the platform. But beyond this, nurture relationships with event managers whenever you can. Let all of your actions with the meeting delegates shed a positive light on the event manager. In the planning stages, the event manager will often appreciate your advice as an experienced speaking professional when it comes to how to structure your presentation, the timing and the events surrounding it. Never publicly criticise event managers or their organisations -- not only because it's unprofessional but because they often have a significant voice in whether to book speakers again.
4. Quick responses
   With so much on the event managers' plates, a quick response is often the difference between getting the booking or not. One trend in the meetings industry is increasingly shorter lead times for meetings. We are all living in an age where 'immediately' is no longer fast enough! A quick response, preferably by e-mail within the day, or two days at the most, is what they expect. Either you or your staff, and preferably both, should have honed technology communications skills.
5. Be flexible
   Things can be frantic behind the scenes at many meetings - hundreds of pieces are being put together. Schedules change. Stuff happens! Speakers who can roll with the changes and still get great evaluations are like gold to event managers.
6. No prima donnas please
   Be easy to deal with! Even if you are on the very top echelon of the speaking circuit and can ask for just about anything, remember that you are just a piece of the puzzle, albeit a very important one. If you are a prima donna, your chances of being rebooked will decrease. If you are particularly difficult, your reputation will precede you.
7. Have a very clear, complete contract
   Event managers often have contracts with hotels, speakers and other suppliers. The trend in the last few years is for lengthier contracts that cover all of the contingencies. Event managers want clearly written, balanced and complete contracts/letters of agreements. No legalese, please. Particularly important, in addition to times, dates, fees and place are: details on cancellation (both sides); reciprocal act of God (force majeur) clauses; what travel charges will be covered; specifics on A/V if you use it; and emergency contact information. I also routinely include in my contract the information I know they will be asking for anyway, such as my bio and a link to online high-resolution publicity photos
8. Provide your information online
   Event managers are turning to the Web to research hotels, cities, suppliers and, increasingly speakers. This is partly due to increased time pressures. It is simply a more efficient route. I have followed the principle that anything I would send out on paper, or any question about my speaking services that I get asked more than twice, I put online. My bio, publicity pictures (both high-resolution for printing and low-resolution for the Web), speaking topic(s), clients, testimonials, streaming video, sample introductions, you name it - it's all at my Web site.
   
   The model changes a bit in working with speaker bureaus, but the trend is to put more information online instead of less. Event Managers prefer it.
9. Be prompt and very clear with your invoicing
   Any charges must be clearly detailed and agreed upon in your contract before you speak. There should be no surprises. My invoice typically goes out no later than two days upon return to my office from the engagement. To speed delivery, I always send my invoices via e-mail.