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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Where do I go for Washington, D.C.'s best political speakers?
Call us at 1-800-SPEAKER or 202-783-0300. Leading Authorities has one of the largest rosters of Washington insiders. Our speakers include former members of Congress, White House aides, journalists, leading pollsters, and top political analysts.
How do I access speakers in Europe or the Pacific Rim?
Call us at 1-800-SPEAKER or 202-783-0300. Leading Authorities has direct relationships with international speakers and also enjoys brokering relationships with agencies in London, Sydney, South Africa, and worldwide.
Leading Authorities’ clients include Fortune 500 companies, top associations and professional societies, (national, international, and regional), leading universities, and civic groups.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you help with a satellite or video conference?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many speakers will agree to attend a special event at no additional charge. Some will not. It is important to make your requests known in advance and include this in the contract.
