Do You Need a Speakers and Entertainers Bureau?

So you don’t think you need a speakers and entertainers bureau to help with your conference or event? I get it, there are 3 main reasons you might think you don’t need a bureau:

 

• You think you will pay more
• You think you know exactly who you want for the event
• Lastly, you think the speaker isn’t available through a bureau

 

 Let’s go over these concerns.

 

No Extra Fees

There is no extra money charged on top of the speakers/entertainers fee, so there’s literally no more for you to worry about. You get a better service for the same cost, so there’s really only something to gain and nothing to lose.

 

Advice on Bookings

As I always say, who you want and who you need are 2 different matters. I wish I had $1 for every time a client rang me and told me that they had previously booked a speaker or entertainer directly and they didn’t hit the mark.

A bureau will suggest who is best suited to your event based on the information you provide. The more information, the better the result. Our job as a bureau consultant is to find options for you that give you some flexibility to make some informed choices and to avoid reputational damage to you, your event or your company.

For example, I just had an event where a client requested a particular comedian. By viewing some of the comedian’s work, I knew from my years of experience they would not meet my client’s needs and was able to steer them in a different direction.

I am sure I saved him a lot of embarrassment and maybe even his job to be honest.

 

Availability Through Bureaus 

Speakers will always work with bureaus. It benefits everyone. Our job is based around long standing relationships with clients, we have to get the brief correct.

I personally have many clients I have dealt with for 12 years who simply email or call to tell me the brief and I send a proposal with some options for them to make a final decision (usually with a few notes on who I think).

Let me say this right up front – USE A BUREAU. Most of them will do a great job.

 

Why ICMI Speakers and Entertainers?

Of course, I want you to come to ICMI and myself. I know how well we deliver with a database of 1,000’s of speakers, entertainers and MCs all over the world, ICMI won’t let you down.

Add to that a dedicated admin team who make sure all of the moving parts of the contract like timings, travel, accommodation, audio visual requirements and much more are all set in concrete and make your workload so much less.

Look forward to helping you soon!

 

To learn more about how we can help with your event, call us now on 1800 334 625 or make an enquiry online to have a chat.

 

 

Article by Brad Hopes.

Brad Hopes is a dedicated management consultant that handles ICMI’s WA based talent. Always up for a friendly chat to clients and talent alike, he draws from a varied background that has ranged from rugby coaching to auctioning for charity organisations.