Speakers Bureaus 101 IASBpodcast

In this episode, Stephen, Tim, Richard, and Kelly discuss: 
How to define a speakers bureau.  Various types of speakers bureau models, how they work, and why they are advantageous for both planners and speakers.  Advantages for working with a bureau who is a member of IASB.  How the speaker industry has changed over the last 10 years, and where it is going in the next 10 years.    
Key Takeaways: 
Speakers bureaus work a lot like sports agencies, managing the logics and details for you.  Have a feel for the group for whom you are looking for a speaker – that needs to be formulated up front.  The internet is not the best place to start your search for a speaker – working with an IASB bureau brings credibility and ease to booking your speaker.  As a speaker, get the experience – do your 10,000 – that’s how you’re going to get noticed.    
"For a meeting planner, I would advise reaching out to a bureau. Not only to save your time, but also, this is one small part of what you do. The goal is to make it as easy and seamless as possible, because when a meeting planner puts up a speaker for an event, it’s their reputation on the line within their own company. And our job is to make them look like the hero." —  Kelly Eger 
  
Connect with Stephen Kirkpatrick & Richard Schelp at Executive Speakers Bureau: 
Twitter: @ExecSpeakers 
Facebook: Executive Speakers Bureau 
Website: ExecutiveSpeakers.com 
YouTube: Executive Speakers Bureau: Book Keynote Speakers 
LinkedIn: Executive Speakers Bureau 
  
Connect with Kelly Eger at The Harry Walker Agency: 
Twitter: @hwaspeakers 
Facebook: The Harry Walker Agency 
Website: HarryWalker.com 
YouTube: HWASpeakersBureau 
LinkedIn: The Harry Walker Agency 
  
Connect with Tim Mathy at SpeakInc.: 
Twitter: @speakinc 
Facebook: Speak Inc. 
Website: SpeakInc.com  
YouTube: speakinc 
LinkedIn: SpeakInc 
  
Connect with IASB: 
Twitter: @IASBWEB 
Facebook: International Association of Speakers Bureaus 
Website: IASBWeb.org 
LinkedIn: International Association of Speakers Bureaus 
 
Guest Bios:
Stephen Kirkpatrick, Executive Speakers Bureau
Stephen Kirkpatrick joined Executive Speakers Bureau in 2015. He serves in a dual role as an Account Executive and as head of  their Speaker Management Division. Before joining the ESB team, Stephen worked as the Senior Director of Development at Christian Brothers University where he also worked with the baseball team. 
Prior to his time at CBU, Stephen worked with an entertainment consulting firm in Los Angeles, California where he worked with clients like: Debbie Allen, Kathy Ireland, Ray Romano, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Stephen was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and graduated from Ole Miss, where he played college baseball, with a major in English and a minor in Spanish. He now lives in Olive Branch, Mississippi, with his wife, two children and his pets---an ornery cat and a hyper bulldog . He enjoys spending his time bettering his community through involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, his college fraternity and his church.
 
Richard Schelp, Executive Speakers Bureau
Richard Schelp is the President and Co-Owner of Executive Speakers Bureau. Richard has been with Executive Speakers Bureau for 15 years, and during that period of time he has helped lead the organization to an unprecedented level of growth. Known as a true expert in the industry, speakers and organizations from all over the world contact Richard for his insight on future trends and directions. In addition, Richard handles some of the bureau's largest and most significant accounts, including all of the state hospital associations, State Farm Insurance, American Rental Association, Chase Bank, Boston Scientific Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Allscripts, and American Heart Association.
Prior to joining Executive Speakers Bureau, Richard was in sales and sales m