» I’ve never planned a speaking event before. How do I begin the process?
» What is “exclusive representation” of speakers and what is the benefit to me?
» Does GTN handle international events?
» What is the cost of your services?
» OK then, how much do speakers cost?
» How can I learn about a speaker before making my decision?
» Will I have the opportunity to make contact with the speaker prior to the engagement?
» Can a book signing be arranged in conjunction with the event?
» Will the speaker be available for a press conference, photo session, or reception?
» Is it possible to video or audio tape the speaker?
Call GTN today. With more than 200 years of collective experience among our account executives, Greater Talent Network is the perfect place to start your event planning process and book a speaker. Whether you have a specific speaker in mind or no idea who you’re looking for, our staff will work with you to pinpoint the needs of your audience and find the perfect keynote lecturer to make your event an unprecedented success. We understand how important your event is, and we are never too busy to speak with you one-on-one.
With some lecture agencies you book speakers with senior executives, only to be handed off to an assistant who has not been there from the start of the process. Is their senior staff too important to see your event through to the end? From your first contact with GTN to the standing ovation that closes your event and the evaluation process that allows you to offer input about how we can better serve your needs, you will be in contact with the same account executive who is dedicated to building a personal one-on-one relationship with you to discover, anticipate and exceed your expectations. Supported by full-time travel assistance and promotional departments, the service that each GTN account executive is able to offer your organization is the most personalized and comprehensive service in the lecture industry.
Exclusive representation signifies that a speaker is represented by only one speakers bureau. Just as GTN’s account executives seek individual and personal relationships with event planners around the world, we also strive for personal connections with the nation’s top speakers. Our exclusive lecture representation of more than 100 of today’s most captivating personalities allows us to work with these speakers to refine programs that address the needs of your audience. It means that we have immediate access to their calendars, fee schedules, technical requirements and other pertinent information to help you plan your event in the most efficient manner possible. Exclusive speaker representation also enables us to ask the speakers to go above and beyond for your special needs. Our exclusive speakers are our trademark and the best storytellers in the lecture industry. Exclusive representation does not prevent us from getting you any other speaker you require. We certainly can, and our experienced staff have the resources to arrange events with non-exclusive speakers in a timely and efficient manner.
Absolutely. GTN is seriously committed to the growing needs of the expanding global marketplace. That’s why several of our account executives specialize in planning events with foreign companies and for domestic companies in international venues, from Europe to South America to Asia.
All of GTN’s services, from event planning, promotional assistance and travel preparation, are included in the speaker’s set honorarium.
Speaker fees vary widely depending on the demand for an individual, his or her availability, and the services required. Generally, fees for keynote speeches begin between $5,000 to $10,000 and can go up to $100,000 or more, and our account executives have access to a wide variety of speakers that can accommodate a broad range of budgets. In most cases, travel and lodging expenses are in addition to the speaker honorarium, including first-class travel, accommodations and limited out-of-pocket expenses.
GTN’s full-time promotion and marketing department works to provide you with full biographies on each speaker, photographs, recent articles and press coverage, and letters of recommendation from previous speaking engagements. Most speakers also have excerpts from recent speaking engagements available on video, so you can preview previous speeches before booking the right speaker for your audience. You can view several of these videos online or ask your GTN account executive to send videos via mail.
Yes. Most of our speakers are happy to talk with organizations prior to an engagement as their schedules allow. Ask your GTN representative about the possibility of setting up a conference call after a speaker is contracted for an appearance. This gives you the opportunity to clarify the expectations of your audience and get to know the speaker on a more personalized basis. Regardless if you have talked directly with the speaker before the event, each speaker receives an extensive questionnaire filled out by your organization to help them better organize their comments for your group.
The majority of our authors enjoy doing book signings at lecture engagements. Check with your GTN account executive prior to the event to assure that the speaker’s schedule allows for it. If you host an author, we also provide a book purchasing rider which places you in direct contact with publishers to buy books at a special discounted rate.
Speak with your GTN representative about such activities and other special requests as soon as you become aware of them. Sometimes a speaker’s schedule does not allow for participation in such events, but often arrangements can be made to accommodate them.
Written permission must be obtained through Greater Talent Network to video or audio tape any presentation for any use. This is to safeguard our speakers’ right to their intellectual property. In the event that you do record a program, be sure to check with your GTN representative for tips on optimizing the quality of the recording.
