Workshops, keynotes, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and other formats: All formats are available. If you would like to license a course or customize it for your group, please call with your details and request a quote.
Are professional speaker fees expected? Yes. When hosted by outside associations and sponsors, instructors and speakers may travel to present at an event. Unlike many beginners seeking exposure through speaking opportunities, our instructors are seasoned instructors and working professionals and must often request and reserve time off from their regular employment to speak at your event. Our instructors are never permitted to sell or market services or products from the podium. Therefore, fees are charged to cover their lost income and compensate them for preparation time to conduct research for your presentation, develop course materials and for travel expenses. These are always borne by the hosting organization.
Do your speakers ever speak for free? They may, from time to time, agree to speak without compensation at a local event in their hometown for a presentation which requires minimal preparation, such as a panel discussion, moderator role, or a short, informal interview. In most cases, these presentation opportunities are reserved for organizations of which the speaker is currently a participating and active member as an act of community service.
Who pays for handout duplication? The hosting organization. These are sent in advance of the program via email or .ftp transfer with the understanding that they are licensed for one-time use, in conjunction with the scheduled program. If printed, the print file is always set 1:1 as full size slides, not 2:1 or other smaller formats. Another option is that we can offer you a login credential for your program attendees and they can download the files directly at their own expense. This method is chosen more and more frequently by associations offering low-cost member education hours, as many participants would prefer to retain paperless copies of handouts for future reference.
May we audiotape or videotape the presentation? Yes, please let your coordinator know you intend to do this when you are making your initial arrangements to engage the speaker. This way, we can include the necessary royalty agreements and releases to allow you to legally sell copies of the speakers' intellectual property. Without a royalty agreement in place, the speaker may choose not conduct the program, and may abruptly stop the presentation and refuse to continue while video cameras and recording equipment are present.
Speaker arrival and departure times. Our speakers make every effort to arrive the day before a domestic program and two nights before an international program to accommodate for jet lag, missed connections and trip interruptions enroute to your destination. If your program is running off schedule or delayed for any reason, please ensure that there is enough time for the speaker to deliver their entire program and conclude not less than four hours prior to flight departure time. Speakers remain onsite for the duration of presentation hours. They are flexible and accustomed to shifts in order of speaker lineups to accommodate their schedules and others'. Otherwise, the speaker may leave at the appointed time without prejudice. Please also note that our professional speakers always have a secondary program loaded and ready in the event another speaker does not arrive or cannot present at their appointed time. We've provided emergency coverage for missing speakers more frequently than one might assume.
Who pays for speakers' travel expenses? The hosting organization. Travel expenses include airfare as specified above, ground transportation to and from their home to their hometown airport, ground transfers at the destination, hotel accommodation with in-room, daily Internet connections, and all travel and destination meals. Alcohol consumption, movies, dry cleaning, business center expenses unrelated to your program, or gift shop purchases if any, are never billed to you.
Will your speakers and instructors fly economy class? Rarely. Because our instructors fly an inordinate amount of time throughout the year, it is our firm policy that all instructors are afforded first class domestic fares for all travel in excess of three hours. The reason for this, primarily, is to take every precaution to prevent episodes deep venous thrombosis, a serious and potentially life threatening condition caused by clots that form from sitting for prolonged periods and cabin pressurization, as is common in air travel. Secondarily, it is done in order to enable instructors who are working professionals and subject matter experts to remain productive in flight. Whenever possible, we will purchase coach fares for speakers that may be upgraded, but the cost of the upgrade will be included in the expense report as reimbursable. The instructors always fly business class on international flights. Thank you for your understanding.
Will the speaker agree to a book signing after their presentation? Yes, if this is a one-off or impromptu situation our speakers will graciously accommodate all such requests, as time permits. If you wish to set up a scheduled autograph and book signing session, we will connect you with the speakers' publisher or publicist to make the necessary arrangements. Most of our speakers are authors of at least one professional trade book.
In which language are programs conducted? Most speakers present international programs and slide presentations in English. If translation is needed for your audience, please arrange for a translation service.