Thanks for stopping by and adding your feedback. I also appreciate the kind comments. Please do keep me and other meeting professionals informed of how things progress for you.

Thanks again!

I’m one of those public speakers who came into the industry through a side door – while I knew I was headed that way, I did not know I was good at it until the past year of various engagements turned on a big light in my head. Now, I need to understand the industry and its needs. You’ve handed me the info on a cushy pillow. THANKS.

As soon as I have all the proper elements in place, I’ll let you know. Again, great appreciation for how clearly you articulated the difficulties and the solutions for public speakers and the audiences who want them.
Very best regards,
Suzanna Stinnett

Thanks for stopping by and adding your feedback.

I agree that there is a gap between social media experts (dare I use that word) and the meetings industry, professional speakers and speakers bureaus. I think there is a misunderstanding of many in the social space about the role of speaker bureaus and meetings professionals. I believe that mainstream audiences are wanting to learn more about social media and there are a lot of wonderful opportunities for the social media thought leaders to help educate the corporate and association world outside of the social media and tech conferences.

Thanks for adding to the discussion here and I apprecaite the kind words. I totally agree with Geoff that conference organizers should do their part!

Thanks for stopping by and adding your point of view. We agree on this: “It’s the conference organizer’s job to find the right speaker.” I agree with you 100% that it is my responsibility as a meeting and event professional to make sure that my conference agenda reflects a diversity in gender, race, etc.

A speakers bureau does not plan conferences and events so I don’t see them at fault for the conference agenda or conference speakers. Assuming that event planners rely 100% on speakers bureaus for their conference speakers is also a false assumption. Event professionals do not contract speakers bureaus to go out and find the right speaker for them. That’s not how a bureau works. Meeting and event professionals only contract with a speakers bureau if they choose a speaker that bureau represents or one that bureau has pitched. There are more than 20,000 professional speakers in the industry and no bureau represents them all.

That’s no different from how the William Morrison Agency or the Creative Artists Agency works that each represents specific actors and entertainers. Actors and entertainers secure representation and then depend upon that agency to pitch them for potential jobs. So taking fault with TSG instead of educating women on how to access the industry is backwards. Taking fault with Government 2.0 conference organizers is completely understandably.

PS…So sorry I got the title of your blog incorrect. I was trying to honor your alignment with CRT/tanaka | Social.

Thank you so much for taking the time to pull all of these resources together. I’m not surprised that Liz would partner with you to organize an event – she knows how to pick teams. Perhaps the events of general nature have reached saturation level at this point… there are so many! However, I do believe that industry-specific and niche-specific events will do well.

Together with the increased need to learn practical applications, professionals are starting to look for information on how the material applies to their specific industry. So along with conferences for small businesses, I’m seeing more requests of the social media topic by industry vertical – health care leading the pack.

First time off GReader – love the design of this blog! I’m hoping to redo my banner using the red hues you’ve got in the border

PS: I do agree with Geoff that conference organizers should do their part.

Instead of accepting status quo, tear it down, and create a new paradigm.