FAQs from Leading Authorities
How can I preview speakers?
What are the typical costs I can anticipate when I book a speaker?
How do I save money on speaker's travel?
How do I access speakers close to major convention cities?
Where do I go for BIG NAME speakers?
Where do I go for affordable speakers?
Who are some of Leading Authorities’ clients?
What if my speaker has to cancel because of an emergency?
What if I need to reach Leading Authorities in an emergency?
Can you help me with books?
Will the speaker sign books and other memorabilia?
Can you help with a satellite or webcast?
What is an exclusive speaker?
Does Leading Authorities provide exclusive speaker representation?
How are speaking fees determined?
Do I pay more for using a speaker’s bureau?
Once I choose a speaker from Leading Authorities, what can I expect?
Can I audio or video tape the presentation?
What is Event Design?
What is an Event Brief?
Do you have an in-house event production team?
What are the trends I should be looking at to improve my meeting?
How can I create an event that meets my business objectives?
Do you provide design services for my meeting materials?
How can I preview speakers?
The easiest way to preview speakers is to visit their speaker page on the Leading Authorities Web site. Our site features video of speeches for more than 1,000 speakers as well as speaker interviews done in our studios. Leading Authorities is also happy to send samples of past speeches on DVDs or as video links straight to your inbox.
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What are the typical costs I can anticipate when I book a speaker?
Typical expenses include the speaking fee, audio visual expenses, travel expenses, accommodations, meals, and incidentals such as tips. Airfare is usually first class or full coach (Y Fare).
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How do I save money on speaker's travel?
Try booking speakers close to your meeting site. Leading Authorities works with many speakers throughout the country and world-wide. Our program consultants will help you find the best speaker for your event while staying within a budget. Also, Leading Authorities books many speakers who require only full coach travel or who quote all-inclusive fees that include travel.
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How do I access speakers close to major convention cities?
Leading Authorities has hundreds of speakers located close to popular convention cities such as Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Reno, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tucson, to name a few.
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Where do I go for BIG NAME speakers?
Leading Authorities. We give you direct access to the biggest names on today's lecture circuit, including former presidents, vice presidents, prime ministers, cabinet secretaries, leading media personalities, best-selling authors, famous sports figures, Hollywood stars, and more! Our speakers are leading national and international speakers, those on the cutting edge of their professions and areas of expertise.
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Where do I go for affordable speakers?
Call us at 1-800-SPEAKER or 202-783-0300. Leading Authorities has the top database for affordable speakers, including thousands in the less than $10,000 category.
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Who are some of Leading Authorities' clients?
Leading Authorities’ clients include Fortune 500 companies, top associations and professional societies, (national, international, and regional), leading universities, and civic groups.
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What if my speaker has to cancel because of an emergency?
Leading Authorities can provide you with a replacement speaker. With access to literally thousands of great speakers world-wide and a solid web of relationships with agents throughout North America, Leading Authorities can take the stress out of a last-minute cancellation.
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What if I need to reach Leading Authorities in an emergency?
Your program consultant and event coordinator are always available to help you. Personal cell phone numbers are given so that you can be in touch with us if anything needs urgent attention.
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Can you help me with books?
Yes. In most instances, Leading Authorities can provide you with books at substantial discount over the list price and deliver them directly to your meeting site. We can also help you arrange author book signings and/or book plates. There is no additional charge for this service.
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Will the speaker sign books and other memorabilia?
Each speaker is different. Some will be glad to do so. Others have contractual obligations that preclude them from doing so. It is important to make your requests known in advance, before the contract is signed, to ensure that any special requirements are agreed to in advance and made part of the contract.
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Can you help with a satellite or webcast?
Yes. Leading Authorities works with partners in Washington and around the globe to deliver satellite video conferencing. We have arranged video conferences in North America and to sites internationally.
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What is an exclusive speaker?
An exclusive speaker is someone who signs an exclusive representation agreement with an agent. Leading Authorities represents many speakers exclusively, and work with the agents of others to bring you access to virtually every speaker in the market.
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Does Leading Authorities provide exclusive speaker representation?
Yes. We are very proud of our exclusive speakers, who include former world leaders, leading business people, and political personalities. We are very selective in our recruitment of exclusive speakers and make certain that they meet an overwhelming need for our clients.
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How are speaking fees determined?
Speaking fees are usually a function of how well-known the speaker is, the amount of travel required, and the length of the presentation. Famous people, best-selling authors, and other high profile speakers command higher fees. These normally range from $10,000 to $100,000. Keynote presentations are normally priced less than half-day or full-day presentations. And local presentations are frequently less expensive than assignments requiring the speaker to travel.
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Do I pay more for using a speaker’s bureau?
In most instances, speakers pay bureaus a commission on their fee. This means you can enjoy free consulting service, independent recommendations, a high level of event coordination, plus many additional services at no additional cost to you.
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Once I choose a speaker from Leading Authorities, what can I expect?
Simply put, the best service in the industry. When clients begin planning their events, a Leading Authorities program consultant works with them to design the best program by learning about their organizations and understanding the business behind their meeting. Because our program consultants are well versed in the hot issues of the day, they can provide tailored research for each client and make recommendations that stay in line with the budget, theme, and location. These professionals are dedicated to packaging the perfect blend of speakers, entertainment, and production to create a winning event. As the liaison between they talent and the client, Leading Authorities’ event coordinators make sure that every booking runs like clockwork. This detail-oriented team handles all of our speakers’ logistics and provides a range of services from developing itineraries and scheduling conference calls to managing book purchases and arranging meet-and-greets. By guaranteeing convenient access to your event coordinator at all times, Leading Authorities ensures a smooth and hassle-free event. Leading Authorities will issue you a contract setting the name of the speaker, the event location, the date of the presentation, audio visual requirements, and other important information. The contract requires a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the speaking fee within 14 days of booking your speaker. The balance is due 14 days prior to the event date.
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Can I audio or video tape the presentation?
Many speakers allow taping at no additional charge. Some do not wish to be taped or will charge an extra fee. It is important to make your requests known in advance, before the contract is signed, to ensure that any special requirements are agreed to in advance and made part of the contract.
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What is Event Design?
Event design is a strategic approach to creating your meeting. Leading Authorities works with all of the stakeholders of your meeting to align your organization’s objectives with event elements and outcomes of your conference. This process includes building customized curriculum, segmenting your audience, optimizing your full budget and that ensures speakers deliver on key objectives for education, CEUs, and core objectives, and creating an integrated marketing plan. For more information, with our Event Advisory Services page. [include link for event advisory services.
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What is an Event Brief?
The Event Brief captures the ideas, input, concerns, and opportunities from all of the stakeholders in an event (volunteers, staff, senior management, exhibitors, sponsors, etc.) and charts a course from where we are to where we’re going. The Event Brief saves time and money and reduces the friction that can result from so many opinions and differing objectives. The most important outcome of using an Event Brief is that is results in a better meeting. Click here to get an Event Brief.
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Do you have an in-house video production team?
Yes, we have an award-winning team of camera personnel, editors, producers, directors, animators, and designers.
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What are the trends I should be looking at to improve my meeting?
Consult with our team of experts and meet the constantly changing trends in business. Learn how your organization can implement “green” practices in your events. Cross the generational divides and please boomers, X, Ys, and millennials. Learn how to apply adult learning methods and ensure the absorption of your message.
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How can I create an event that meets my business objectives?
Leading Authorities’ team will meet with your organization and evaluate your organizational goals. Our goal is to partner with you organization and to create an event that ultimately improves your bottom line. Our event can be evaluated and your program content can be organized to achieve your key objectives.
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Do you provide design services for my meeting materials?
Leading Authorities has a design team who is ready to create all of your collateral materials no matter how small or large the project. Consult with our team of experts to create a one-of-a-kind design that will add polish and continuity to your event. Our services include: invitations, web promotions, and program books.
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