NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 22, 2009 — Responding to the unique pressures facing its clients and others in the meetings industry as a result of sensational media coverage, government regulations, and reduced budgets, The Speakers Group has launched a new initiative, ROI Speakers ), to help planners add value to their meetings and events — and increase ROI, or return on investment — by rethinking their use of professional speakers.
"Now more than ever, event planners can't afford — literally or figuratively — to invest thousands of dollars in a speaker who shines for an hour, but whose impact is at risk of fading as soon as the session ends," said Shawn Ellis, founder and president of The Speakers Group. "With ROI Speakers, we're helping our clients engage speakers in ways that are aligned with legitimate business purposes, and that can be sustained well beyond the conclusion of the meeting."
One of the keys to the ROI Speakers service is The Speakers Group's requirement that all participating speakers meet three criteria:
- Speakers must conduct significant pre-event research.
- Speakers must deliver a customized presentation guided by findings of the pre-event research.
- Speakers must offer one or more options for post-event content delivery to sustain the keynote message.
The result is an impressive roster of thought leaders and experts featuring names such as Marcus Buckingham, Kevin and Jackie Freiberg, and Patrick Lencioni, among others — including lesser-known authorities with fees as low as $10,000.
Further differentiating ROI Speakers is the completely consultative nature of the service. Every engagement begins with a needs assessment with the meeting organizer followed by a custom solution proposal. While the goal remains to secure a speaker who will receive high ratings on-site, the ultimate mission is to secure a speaker whose engagement will stimulate long-term, measurable results.
"Meeting planners should not be afraid of holding meetings, and they shouldn't be afraid of investing money in speakers," Ellis said. "They just need to define and defend the value of their programs, and ROI Speakers is one way we can help them in that endeavor."
To learn more about ROI Speakers solutions, visit and watch the five-minute video titled "The ROI Speakers Difference." Also available on the site is a free special report: "How to Maximize the Value of Your Speaker Bookings."
About The Speakers Group
Since 2003, The Speakers Group has been connecting meeting professionals and organizational leaders with high-content, relevant speakers who combine substance with style. Known for its friendly, knowledgeable service, the company is also considered to be one of the most innovative speakers bureaus in the country. To learn more about The Speakers Group, please visit us at http://www.thespeakersgroup.com, check out our blog at http://www.thespeakersgroup.com/blog, and follow our founder on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shawntsg.
The Speakers Group
Shawn Ellis
615-526-6600 ext 100
Email
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