TIPS FOR GROUPS WHO HAVE NEVER HAD SPEAKERS

• Be sure your REALLY need a speaker. Does the event have another purpose?
• Make sure you are bringing in the level of speaker you really need. Last minute requests are far more difficult to prepare for them than a 2 hour seminar months in advance.
• A 10 Minute talk is usually a waste of a speaker's time. Don't bother.
• Provide EXACT directions, to the door, for the speaker. Have someone waiting to meet them
• ORGANIZE your event! Don't let any detail just 'fall into place'!
• Have a program put together and make sure EVERYONE going to the speaker's platform realizes that someone else will follow.
• Provide a willing audience, one without environmental distractions. People with bad manners and loud voices need to be reminded to 'Shhh' when they offend. Your speaker shouldn't need to.
• Have someone introduce the speaker(s). Ask for a bio ahead of time.
• Thank each speaker publicly and also with a follow up mailed note.
• Have someone assigned to the speaker(s) all all times . Do they need water, or other assistance? Do they need a table to set someting onto? Supply someone (an M.C.) to take the microphone to control the flow of the presentation.
• Does your speakers usually get an honorarium? With or without one, they are donating their time in preparation and travel, and could be doing something else.
• There should be no surprises. Each speaker should know who else is on so as not to repeat, offend, step on professional toes, etc.
• Anything less than the above is discourteous and strictly inexcusable!
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