When I am asked why I opened a speakers bureau, I reply, ‘because I have a great love for the inspiration, education, entertainment and joy that quality professional speakers give to each person in the audience.’ After being a meeting planner for more than ten years for a large company and for a local chapter of an employee services association, I have had the pleasure of working with a large number of speakers that have met and exceeded these goals. I was looking around for new opportunities for my life that fit my talents and goals when professional speakers kept asking me to start a bureau. Speakers told me they wanted an ethical, quality bureau in the Orlando area, the second largest convention market in the United States.

When naming the bureau, I thought of what the speakers meant to me and how I could reflect it through this venue. I called Dottie Walters to check if Incredible Speakers Bureau was used. She told me the name was original and innovative. She mentioned she was impressed with my background and desires to be a leader on the field. After that wonderful conversation with her, I knew that I was on the right path.

The beginning
I started Incredible Speakers Bureau with a few speakers I already knew through my meeting planning experiences…each of them are INCREDIBLE. I added, and am still adding, to my list with recommendations from meeting planners, corporate leaders and professional speakers I trust. I review speakers’ materials constantly and make every attempt to see them when they are in the Orlando area. Meeting planners consistently ask me if I have personally seen a particular speaker at an event.

I am often asked to speak to groups, however, I feel, as an owner of a bureau, my job is to provide the best professional speaker or trainer for the event…not me. I have placed a restriction on myself. I limit my speaking to educating chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, and meeting planner organizations about what a professional speaker is and how to utilize them. I see my function as providing professional speakers, not being one. My commitment to the meeting planners and corporations is to provide the best speaker to create an Incredible Experience for each event.

The first question that I ask a speaker
Have you read and do you understand, Speak & Grow Rich, by Lilly and Dottie Walters? Every professional I have spoken with always says ‘yes’. Most standard questions about the industry are answered in this informative book. Dave’s quote: ‘A good speech lasts and hour, a GREAT speech a lifetime.’ This quote reflects the lasting effect speakers have made on my life.

Great speeches, unique titles
One of the things I look for in speakers are unique titles supported by great speeches. Some examples are:
Second Thoughts On_____
How to be as Terrific as Your Dog Thinks You Are! Mort Crim.
It’s Better to Own a Half a Watermelon than a Hole Grape! Bill Quain, Ph.D.
Not Now I’m Having a No Hair Day. Christine Clifford.
The Luckiest Unlucky Man Alive, Bill Goss.
When Life Becomes Precious, Elise Needell Babcock.

Easy lessons
Challenges occur with every step in life. It’s how we handle them that make the difference. I have been very fortunate to work with so many professionals that help guide the way, but I am the one that must be attentive and make the right choices. I believe speakers’ bureaus have to always be professionals and be part of the event team to be able to provide the service with ethics and integrity.